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

csgohan4

That's a good trick, I will also print out a copy of the TOP guidance and put it in a see through folder when I meet my EA when I make enquiries. I would like to see their face lolz

stator

Just found out another local EA are part of the Connells group when I phoned up to request a viewing. It annoys me that they go through the process of extracting as much information from you as possible, to the extent of even asking you why you want a garden, or two bedrooms etc. Does it really matter to the EA if you are single or married or have children? Then at the end of this process when you've told them your shoe size they finally tell you that anyone wanting to view the house has to be pre-qualified and can you come in to see their broker tomorrow?

rosie383

So they obviously are not changing any of their practice in light of what has been happening. It beggars belief!
If you Google you can probably find all the names that are part of the same group. JVS always runs through the whole list on his show and there are loads of them!

stator

rosie383 wrote: »

So they obviously are not changing any of their practice in light of what has been happening. It beggars belief!
If you Google you can probably find all the names that are part of the same group. JVS always runs through the whole list on his show and there are loads of them!

Yes I found the website of the Connells group and they are on it. The wierd thing was that I already knew that this 'local' estate agent was part of a larger group, their website is like many other estate agents from different areas who all use Surnames, ie Beavis & Butthead and I knew that they were part of Group A. I also knew that Connells have loads of brachnes all over the place, using their name and variations of their name. But it turns out Group A is also part of a larger Connells group that has literally hundreds of sub-divisions. What a complicated structure they have, probably designed to give the impression of competition where there isn't much.

Malmo

stator wrote: »

But it turns out Group A is also part of a larger Connells group that has literally hundreds of sub-divisions. What a complicated structure they have, probably designed to give the impression of competition where there isn't much.

They are also 100% owned by Skipton Building Society.

rosie383

Malmo wrote: »

They are also 100% owned by Skipton Building Society.

And anecdotally they are the BS used mostly for the limited range of mortgages offered through Connells' mortgage broker. Hence why people pay a fee, can't get the mortgage, but could find one independently without a problem.