Connells featured on local BBC consumer show for 'forcing' buyer to use their broker.

betmunch

Very good report, shame Connells are declining to go on the show to defend themselves.


Sounds like there will be more updates in future.

Glover1862

It's not really surprising at all this goes on, like I mentioned before from a business prospective it's obvious they'll favour someone who uses their Mortgage and conveyancing, they made £1300.00 out of me re mortgage and I'm sure a couple of hundred from solicitors, I knew that would put me in a better position than someone who didn't use them. It's not fair I know and it's a legal form of cash in brown bags, but unfortunately it goes on in business everyday, Connells are just making a very bad job of hiding it. Agents work for themselves, vendor, buyer in that order.


What did make me laugh was the chap who came on and had instructed the agent not to accept any offers less then £250k under any circumstances. He then was complaining that an offer of £244k was not passed on and mentioned he'd struck a deal privately with the buyer at £247k, the presenter did mention that he's lucky the agent didn't sue him for their fee. He was basically complaining that the agent did what he instructed then done the complete opposite himself!

Coveredinbees!!!!

Another complaint against Connells on today's show, this time insider dealing.

rosie383

I was wondering if it was going to be Connells again when they mentioned it a few days ago!
For those who won't listen (should be about 2 hrs 33 mins into today's show on radio iplayer), the listener had put his house on the market with Connells and paid over £300 for a Premium Rightmove listing and EPC. Their fees, for selling his property valued at £160k, were to be £3800!
As it turned out, the listing never appeared online and the one person who did eventually come to view, after he had complained to them, explained that she wasn't looking for property in that area but Connells had insisted that she should go and see it anyway.
He did receive an offer a few weeks down the line for £145k (I think it was) which he rejected and it was later increased by £5k or so. Allegedly the offer was made by an employee of the branch of Connells that he was using. He didn't accept the offer at that stage.
When it still hadn't appeared online he got a friend to ring the branch and ask to view the property as he had seen the for sale sign. He was told that the property was under offer, off the market and no further viewings were being taken for that property.

It all stinks!

He wrote to head office and asked to be released from the 20 week lock in as he had a recording of the friend's conversation with them. They released him from the contract but are still refusing to refund him for the £300+ for the Premium listing and EPC, both of which he never received.

He listed with another agent and sold for full asking price within three days. Good for him.

pickles13

Oh no, my heart has sunk reading this. I am booked in to see Connells mortgage advisor on Friday despite already having a mortgage in place and a long standing relationship with a broker. They won't accept an offer until they have seen our docs. I guess I will just have to tell them I am not budging and be strong!!

Annie1960

pickles13 wrote: »

Oh no, my heart has sunk reading this. I am booked in to see Connells mortgage advisor on Friday despite already having a mortgage in place and a long standing relationship with a broker. They won't accept an offer until they have seen our docs. I guess I will just have to tell them I am not budging and be strong!!

http://www.tpos.co.uk/downloads/TPOE27-3%20Code%20of%20Practice%20for%20Residential%20Estate%20Agents.pdf

Familiarise yourself with the TPOS code of conduct, especially para 9c, before your appointment. Better still, print out a copy and bring it along in case they start pressuring you.

rosie383

Annie1960 wrote: »

http://www.tpos.co.uk/downloads/TPOE27-3%20Code%20of%20Practice%20for%20Residential%20Estate%20Agents.pdf

Familiarise yourself with the TPOS code of conduct, especially para 9c, before your appointment. Better still, print out a copy and bring it along in case they start pressuring you.

Good advice. And at least you are forewarned. If they try to mess you around, just mention the fact that they have already been featured on the BBC so you are well aware of the correct practice. TBH I wouldn't be keeping any appointment with their broker. Ring them and tell them that you will show them your AIP or whatever but that they need to put your offer forward to the vendor asap. I'd be inclined to scan and email it rather than going into the office. Listen to the radio show yourself too, it will give more belief in good v bad practice.

Malmo

Annie1960 wrote: »

http://www.tpos.co.uk/downloads/TPOE27-3%20Code%20of%20Practice%20for%20Residential%20Estate%20Agents.pdf

Familiarise yourself with the TPOS code of conduct, especially para 9c, before your appointment. Better still, print out a copy and bring it along in case they start pressuring you.

Very good advice. There are several threads on these forums about the type of sharp practice that Connells operate. Here's one that is relevant to this thread, where I also highlighted paragraph 9c from the TPOS code of conduct.

I think we should keep this thread updated with experiences and advice to ensure buyers & sellers aren't caught out by the likes of Connells.

Westminster

I would have told them I would not agree to a meeting with their broker until they confirmed in writing that their submitting an offer made in good faith was conditional on that meeting.

Can't see them agreeing to do that!

seven-day-weekend

lxpeanut wrote: »

I wouldnt say they forced me to use their broker but they did lay it on thick that the seller would prefer it.I did end up going in to see them and she got me a cheaper mortgage and has been really good so far. I wish I'd have known they were notorious for this tactic before putting an offer in but to be honest it seems to be working out well for me.

Same here. We used the Connells guy, but he got us a mortgage where others hadn't (unusual circumstances).

They were not particularly pushy though, when we first offered another mortgage broker totally unconnected with Connells was involved, and when that was proving difficult, Connells just said 'our broker can probably help you'. There was no hard sell.