[Paul and Linda]

Does anyone else who is selling their house think that the estate agents sometimes make up fictional viewers? We asked for a little more effort from our agents last week and within 2 hours we had 4 viewings booked. All 4 of them either failed to turn up, or cancelled. One even failed to turn up twice after re booking an appointment.

Statistically the odds of 4 out of 4 not turning up when every other viewing we have had has turned up must be pretty high!

Am I completely on the wrong tracks, would appreciate feedback from estate or ex estate agents as to whether this could or has happened.

Can't see the point in it myself but why else would 4 out of 4 not show?

We have had 10 turn up before the 4 and 2 after!

Perhaps it's just me this whole process seems to be turning me potty!

[selchie]

I haven't tried to sell a house yet, so no help there. However, I hope your contract with these folks is short, so you can find a better agent. Good luck.

[Paul and Linda]

Yup 13 week contract, but feel like sacking them tomorrow. Just had a 6:30pm not turn up. 6 out of the last 8 viewings haven't turned up.

There's a flipping rabbit afoot here somewhere!

I'm not sure I can put up with any more of this!

[jubjub]

If they were doing that, it would be pretty bad, and I must say for that amount of viewers not to turn up, I too would be smelling a rat.

They dont sound as if they are doing their job for you at all, I may have this wrong, but in England you can have more than one agent?? (we sold in the scottish system which is different). I know it will increase your sale fees, but it may be worth it so they have to fight for the sale?

Not sure if you have done this yet, but I think it was Diny that posted a link to a website where you could advertise your property yourself as well?

Hubby had our solicitor the other day remind him of something... "How do you know when an Estate Agent is lying? Their lips are moving!"

Not that I agree having worked in one for the last few years, but the truth can be twisted a little!

[sarahw]

Paul & Linda - it really wouldn't surprise me - my brother had 6 'offers' within 3 months on his house that he accepted last year (he's still going through the selling process now!!) with one agent - every person that came around made an offer (and every single one pulled out a day or so later) there's nothing wrong with the house & its in a very sought after area - coincidence or lying estate agent? :?

He changed agents & has been very happy with what has happened since & feels like he's with an honest agent who gives frank feedback.

Before we left the UK we set the date for the agent when their contract would run out (6 weeks) - they usually try to tie you in to a 12 week contract but in a market where not much is shifting they can be flexible. We told them that after the 6 weeks it would be on a rolling agreement where we could pull out at any time from using them if we weren't happy. We also managed to get dual agency for the same fee as sole agent (with both agents!) as we played them off against each other. Hedging your bets is always a good option.

If you're not happy I'd recommend you change agents or at least go dual to get them working for you & make sure you don't sign up to a long period with them.

:nice1

[Paul and Linda]

Thanks JubJub and Sarah,
We have another viewer due in 10mins lets hope he turns up. At least we have a second viewing booked for friday which sounds hopeful, but that will be viewing number 21 if you count all the no shows. The stuff I have learnt in the last few weeks about keeping a house in showroom conditions would put the house doctor to shame. It certainly puts my past efforts to shame for not helping out around the house as much as I have in the last few weeks :oops:

[Paul and Linda]

Yup, you've guessed it, no show! The estate agents even phoned him yesterday to confirm that he would be coming and he said yes!

7 out of the last 9 in the last 6 days !

Ah hang on the estate agent has just returned my call, the chap is in Whitby 35 miles away! Apparently he's setting off now and should be with us in half an hour.

The estate agent told him that it was very ignorant to make an appointment and not turn up but he didn't respond. Thick skin or just ignorant pigs? Who knows?

[Paul and Linda]

You know if it was the estate agents turning up at our house to show someone round they'd make flippin sure they turned up or fine them for wasting their time, why is my time free?

[Moorf]

... is he there yet?

:laugh

[jonSE]

I vowed a long time ago never to sell another house through an estate agent.

Imagine my gall when our tenant got in touch with us prviately (to avoid talking to the estate agent that managed the property) to offer to buy the property she was renting from us. We agreed a price and she bought. Net result Estate agent was £5k better off for writing one letter because that was in our contract with the agent. Yeh we knew it was there - we had never envisaged selling, but the formative plans to move to NZ sort of swayed our minds.

And solicitors - hers (our tenant who was buying the property she already lived in ) seemed to want us to kick out her client (our tenant) so we could be living there and have all the utility bills in our name, and testify as to the state of the property - I'll swear said solicitor never read any of the letters we wrote pointing out that the purchaser was already living at the property as a tenant.

Our solicitor wrote to the purchaser advising that she should seek alternative legal advice and consider sueing her solicitor for malpractice.

Moral - I revised my view on never selling via an estate agent to just not selling.

jon

[Paul and Linda]

Well he was due to turn up at 10:45 am and it's eleven now so I guess Linda is showing him round.

Hope he doesn't like the house then not only has he wasted our time but also wasted his!

Wish we could afford to rent out!

:no :no :no :no

and a few

:wah :wah :wah into the bargain!

[Paul and Linda]

No he still didn't turn up. I think somebody is pulling my leg here.

[Moorf]

:eek U sure the agency is giving out the right address?? That's beyond ridiculous :no

[Paul and Linda]

I think I'll phone up another agency and see what they think about the situation.

[Paul and Linda]

Just talked to another agent, they said they are having the same problem with a house close to us that is on their books. Apparently the type of person that comes to see houses in our area is reknowned for making appointments and not turning up.

Strange that isn't it.

I think we'll move!....Doh!

anyone heard of catch 22?

you would almost think there was some sort of conspiracy to demoralise buyers in my area perhaps to make them accept any offer.

Rule Brittania! You can ave it mate, this country is the pits.

[kiwidollie]

Sounds like a right bunch of wotsits!

We're in the same boat at the moment. House has been on the market 11 weeks and so far we've had 3 no shows and 5 viewings.

Not had any offers yet and not very impressed with the Estate Agents on the whole.

Thinking about trying a different one or going via internet company when the 12 week contract is up.

Keep your chin up (that's what I keep telling myself).