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Poor customer service estate agents

32 replies

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 12:48

I’ve just listed my house for sale. It’s currently empty, but my daughter is temporarily living there as she had to leave her house because of some repairs. She called me this morning to let me know that the agents put a sale sign up outside. She didn’t see who it was, but they’ve placed the sign at the top of the drive. The drive is very narrow, and she’s going to have a difficult time getting in and out. I really don’t know why the agent thought that was a good spot for it. Last year, when the house was listed with a different agent, they put the sign behind the wall at the top of the garden, which was much better and didn’t block the drive. I didn’t mention this to them, but honestly, common sense should tell you that the drive is too narrow.

Anyway, I just called the office and asked them to move it, but they told me the agent won’t be back in the area until next week, so we’ll have to wait until then. Am I being unreasonable for thinking this is pretty poor customer service? It’s made it really awkward to get in and out, and they’ve basically said we just have to deal with it until they can come back. I can’t even move it myself as it’s nailed down.

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StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:36

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:22

Why should I have to? I’ve paid to have a driveway, for my own reasons, and should be able to use it. Why should I have to park on the street and struggle?

Because it's relevant information and if you mentioned it to the estate agent it might well change things...

It's a minor inconvenience for a week otherwise, like having a skip or building materials delivered

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:25

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:19

The company who points the signs out will have the contract for a large area. They will be booked in to put signs up in different areas each day. These are likely the other side of town, another village or whatever to where you are. They can't just "pop" over for something that's so minor. They might be an hour out with a fully booked day and "popping" over wouldn't be possible in the contract times

If they had actually blocked your house, caused damage or made access hard for a disabled person then they might make more of an effort but not before this.

I have cancelled the contract with them now, they can pick up their sign next week and I will be using a different agent.

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itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:22

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:20

Did you mention disability?

Why should I have to? I’ve paid to have a driveway, for my own reasons, and should be able to use it. Why should I have to park on the street and struggle?

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StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:20

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:19

Did you ever stop to think that perhaps we need closer access due to disabilities? Just because you can manage, doesn’t mean others can.

Edited

Did you mention disability?

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:19

The company who points the signs out will have the contract for a large area. They will be booked in to put signs up in different areas each day. These are likely the other side of town, another village or whatever to where you are. They can't just "pop" over for something that's so minor. They might be an hour out with a fully booked day and "popping" over wouldn't be possible in the contract times

If they had actually blocked your house, caused damage or made access hard for a disabled person then they might make more of an effort but not before this.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:19

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:16

Have they blocked your front door? Prevented actual access to the property?

No?

Then it's a minor inconvenience

Did you ever stop to think that perhaps we need closer access due to disabilities? Just because you can manage, doesn’t mean others can.

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StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:16

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:08

Hardly a minor inconvenience when we can’t access the drive properly. Why should we have to park on the street? Why do you think we should be inconvenienced or just put up with it when it was their mistake?

Have they blocked your front door? Prevented actual access to the property?

No?

Then it's a minor inconvenience

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:14

HauntedBungalow · 21/01/2026 15:12

Of course they should move it. It's your house, not theirs! So what if they weren't scheduled to be in the area until next week? Now they are scheduled to be there, because they need to move their sign out the way.

thank you! I can’t believe the replies it’s unbelievable, customer service is truly in the gutter these days!

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HauntedBungalow · 21/01/2026 15:12

Of course they should move it. It's your house, not theirs! So what if they weren't scheduled to be in the area until next week? Now they are scheduled to be there, because they need to move their sign out the way.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:08

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:05

Park on the street?

It's one week

They contract to a company who will have rounds and aren't local to you for a week

It's not fair or reasonable to expect them to potentially travel an hour just for a minor inconvenience

Hardly a minor inconvenience when we can’t access the drive properly. Why should we have to park on the street? Why do you think we should be inconvenienced or just put up with it when it was their mistake?

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StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:05

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:03

It’s not fair or reasonable to expect us to struggle in the meantime though

Park on the street?

It's one week

They contract to a company who will have rounds and aren't local to you for a week

It's not fair or reasonable to expect them to potentially travel an hour just for a minor inconvenience

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 15:03

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 14:59

They are doing it ASAP

Next week is the soonest they can do it 🤷‍♀️

It’s not fair or reasonable to expect us to struggle in the meantime though

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StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:00

We need a diagram because I cannot understand how the sign is making parking impossible

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 14:59

NinaNina83 · 21/01/2026 13:37

I’m baffled by others’ replies. The EA should move the sign asap. If they’re refusing I’d be dropping them and looking for a better EA..

They are doing it ASAP

Next week is the soonest they can do it 🤷‍♀️

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:52

NinaNina83 · 21/01/2026 13:37

I’m baffled by others’ replies. The EA should move the sign asap. If they’re refusing I’d be dropping them and looking for a better EA..

That’s how I feel. I’m not sure how they can refuse when it’s making access difficult.

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itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:43

BadgernTheGarden · 21/01/2026 13:32

Nailed into what? A fence post, I'd be more annoyed if they have damaged a fencepost, wall or driveway by putting in permanent fixtures for a temporary for sale board.

Yes a wall. I’m not happy about that either.

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NinaNina83 · 21/01/2026 13:37

I’m baffled by others’ replies. The EA should move the sign asap. If they’re refusing I’d be dropping them and looking for a better EA..

BadgernTheGarden · 21/01/2026 13:32

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:01

They’ve put it at the top of the drive, so there isn’t enough space for her to get in and out without hitting the board.

It’s nailed in.

Nailed into what? A fence post, I'd be more annoyed if they have damaged a fencepost, wall or driveway by putting in permanent fixtures for a temporary for sale board.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:27

Ablondiebutagoody · 21/01/2026 13:25

The, say, 100mm square sign post is blocking the drive? Give over.

Err, yes? Why would we lie? It’s a very narrow drive and they’ve put it at the top and made access very difficult now.

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Ablondiebutagoody · 21/01/2026 13:25

The, say, 100mm square sign post is blocking the drive? Give over.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:23

IamSmarticus · 21/01/2026 13:19

Its not that they can't be bothered to come back until next week, they are probably nowhere near your area until then and are not willing to make a special journey to move a sign.

It’s made access to the drive incredibly difficult, but I guess that doesn’t matter.

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IamSmarticus · 21/01/2026 13:19

Its not that they can't be bothered to come back until next week, they are probably nowhere near your area until then and are not willing to make a special journey to move a sign.

Brefugee · 21/01/2026 13:17

tell the EA they have until the end of the day to move it or you will saw it off?

and tell them when they put it up again that it is not to impede access to the drive.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:14

Honestly, I’m pretty surprised that this is the new standard. We’ve tried to move it but haven’t had any luck. However, I really don’t understand why we should have to deal with this? Even if it’s a different company, the EA has a contract with them and should be sorting the issue. It’s not our responsibility to fix it (even if we could), and why should we be put out and struggle just because they can’t be bothered to come back until next week? If this is how they operate now, it doesn’t inspire much confidence for the rest of the process. I think I might consider going with a different agent.

Thanks for the replies / advice.

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Quine0nline · 21/01/2026 13:06

Does she have a hammer with the claw to remove the nails and hammer back in?