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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pissed off and fed up, but am I wrong?

41 replies

Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 18:03

Currently in the process of buying a house. Everything is so so slow at the moment. Mortgage is all set but my solicitor is slow with everything. We're on week 5 now and still not had the drainage searches back yet. I appreciate this isn't the solicitors fault but she was confident it would only take 3 weeks and 6-8 weeks for the whole process. There's no chain and the property is vacant which should make a difference. I've been phoning once a week, normally a Friday for an update which I think is reasonable. I phoned last Friday and was told that she was still waiting on the vendors solicitor to come back with some paperwork but that she would chase it up. Apparently she requested this 3 weeks before so I have no idea why she hadn't chased it up sooner. I contacted the EA as per her suggestion to see if he could speak with the vendor to get the ball rolling.

The secretary that I've been dealing with (who is lovely btw and told me that I could phone anytime) has been on holiday all week and isn't back until Tuesday. I phoned up this morning and was put through to a different office who told me that she couldn't give me an update and that I'd have to phone back on Tuesday as she couldn't access other staff's emails. I queried why this wasn't being dealt with by somebody else (such as herself) whilst the other lady is on holiday. Surely this will hold the process up now if emails have been sitting in her inbox all week and nobody has responded to them.

I explained that I didn't understand why they couldn't provide me with an update. She then miraculously accessed her emails and explained that the vendors solicitor had responded and sent the paperwork back on Tuesday but it was waiting to be looked at by my solicitor. It will not be looked at now until next week 🙄. She also made a lovely point of saying that I can't expect an update every single day - I've never expected this btw and it took a lot for me to hold my tongue and not snap back. I wasn't rude at any point but she just had such a shitty and unhelpful attitude and made me feel guilty for even ringing.

I'm more than happy to be told that I'm being unreasonable and impatient but I do think they could try a bit harder to speed up the process. I was hopeful that I would be in there by mid September but it doesn't look like this will be the case. She said that it's far too early to be discussing exchange dates, even though the other lady was confident that my expectations weren't unreasonable. I don't even know what my AIBU is at this point, I'm just so drained with it all and I don't feel that we've even progressed with anything. Also, surely it is not unreasonable for me to ring them once a week? This service is costing me an arm and a leg...

OP posts:
HugeAckmansWife · 27/08/2021 18:11

I rang every day during my purchase for updates. I needed to complete by X date for various good reasons and wanted my file at the top of the pile. I would also say something like 'I'll call at 2pm to get the info from x about y'. I really don't care if I was a pain. I paid them a lot and I needed them to get it done and chase footdraggers. It worked.

Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 18:17

Good for you @HugeAckmansWife, I wish I had the guts to do the same! I'm in the same boat, I need to be move by a certain date which I made them aware of. It was just her shitty attitude that pissed me off, so unhelpful and she honestly made me feel awful. Every Friday I get the same response and told there is no update and it's just draining me now. I've put my trust in her to get the job done in a timely manner and it's like they just can't even be arsed.

OP posts:
HugeAckmansWife · 27/08/2021 18:23

Nope. Ring at 10am on a Mon or Tues. Have a list of what needs doing and get specific info on what is at what stage. Tell them you will ring at X time the next day by which time you expect them to have rung whoever and have some new info for you. Believe me, I'm not a naturally assetive type but needs must. Be calm. Be organised and remember you are paying them to get something done.

Ihaveaquestion77 · 27/08/2021 18:27

Agree with a PP, you just have to be persistent. They might be annoyed but don't feel bad, it's the best way to make things happen. Obviously be really polite and nice about it I'm sure you would do that anyway!

Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 18:58

Thank you, you've all made me feel so much better. I'm glad to hear that it's not unreasonable for me to call at least once a week. I think I will go into the office on Tuesday to have a word. Hopefully they'll see that I mean business...

OP posts:
Blitzes · 27/08/2021 19:26

Ring every day and if they fob you off ring again in the afternoon. Conveyancing solicitors are the worst. If you’re not pushy and persistent then you’re file goes to the bottom
Of the pile and you’re lucky if it gets looked at all that week. Also be prepared for a bucket load of excuses and to push back! We used to get our EA to call as well because i knew the solicitor was just making excuses!

Funnylittlefloozie · 27/08/2021 19:31

I wouldn't bother going in to the office- don't most solicitors work from.home now? Don't phone on Fridays, phone on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Unfortunately high Street solicitors and conveyancers are largely crap, and you basically have to be the most annoying person on their caseload to get progressed promptly.

user1471543094 · 27/08/2021 19:33

Conveyancing is very slow for weeks and then everything happens at once.

user1471543094 · 27/08/2021 19:34

And yea don't phone on Friday! Monday and then again on Tuesday. It's super annoying for staff but they'll end up pushing things on to get yours over with

TrufflesLies · 27/08/2021 22:27

You sound so entitled. Do you not realise it is the busiest time for conveyancers? Their workload is sky high. You're not their only client. Ringing on a Friday is pointless. You are unimportant on a Friday. Friday's are for exchanges and completions. No solicitor wants to be trawling your file for an update when they need to ensure funds are through, exchanges are done and completions are taking place. You'll go down there to show you mean business? Wtaf! Do you actually think they are going to do anything other than send the secretary down to take a message. That's even if they'll grant you access. I think you need to get a grip. I appreciate you're pissed off it wasn't done in a nanosecond but seriously if you were my client I'd put your file to the bottom of the pile.

Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 22:32

Luckily the secretary works in the office so I think I'll still pop in on Tuesday and show my face. They'll see then that I'm not happy. Going forward I'll definitely be ringing at the start of the week now instead as well. It's my fault really, I've been far too nice and chilled about the whole thing and they've obviously put my case down at the very bottom of the pile. Honestly though, when you're paying someone over a £1000 to do a job you'd think they'd at least do it in a timely manner and without needing to be nagged. If I behaved that way in my job I'd probably get the sack! The woman that I spoke to today had the cheek to say that they were short staffed. Is that my issue? HmmConfused

Grrrrr.... and breath lol

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 22:34

Clearly I have been unimportant throughout the whole process, hence why nothing has been done lol @TrufflesLies

OP posts:
TrufflesLies · 27/08/2021 22:37

£1000 is nothing. How much do you pay the estate agent, who is largely unqualified, to sell a property. Usually between .75%-1% of the sale price? So a fuck tonne in comparison to a solicitor who has gone through years of training and education fees. A good solicitor will take their time and do their job properly to ensure you're not buying something which will later bite you on the arse. I'm not saying all solicitors are great, I know first hand their not, but your attitude is just vile.

Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 22:38

@TrufflesLies I might sound entitled but from all the replies this is clearly common behaviour with solicitors... pre covid as well

OP posts:
LolaButt · 27/08/2021 22:40

@TrufflesLies

You sound so entitled. Do you not realise it is the busiest time for conveyancers? Their workload is sky high. You're not their only client. Ringing on a Friday is pointless. You are unimportant on a Friday. Friday's are for exchanges and completions. No solicitor wants to be trawling your file for an update when they need to ensure funds are through, exchanges are done and completions are taking place. You'll go down there to show you mean business? Wtaf! Do you actually think they are going to do anything other than send the secretary down to take a message. That's even if they'll grant you access. I think you need to get a grip. I appreciate you're pissed off it wasn't done in a nanosecond but seriously if you were my client I'd put your file to the bottom of the pile.
If the workload is unmanageable and leading to a view that the client is unimportant, perhaps the firm should have thought of that before signing new clients?

Or was it just greed to capitalise on the stamp duty induced boom, take on as many clients and fees as possible to line the partners pockets?

Tut tut. Putting a file to the bottom of a stack out of spite? Unprofessional behaviour, which I’m certain would not be condoned by the SRA.

StartingGrid · 27/08/2021 22:45

@TrufflesLies

£1000 is nothing. How much do you pay the estate agent, who is largely unqualified, to sell a property. Usually between .75%-1% of the sale price? So a fuck tonne in comparison to a solicitor who has gone through years of training and education fees. A good solicitor will take their time and do their job properly to ensure you're not buying something which will later bite you on the arse. I'm not saying all solicitors are great, I know first hand their not, but your attitude is just vile.
OP's attitude is vile? Reaching a bit there... their expectations were clear to the conveyancer who clearly agreed at some point it was achievable, not sure why you're so defensive of someone who is now failing to provide the service they're being paid for. Or so rude for that matter...
Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 22:48

Very OTT. My attitude isn't vile. I'm extremely fed up that their not doing their job properly and that we don't seem to be getting anywhere. I've been very patient compared to a lot of people who have phoned their solicitor every day. I've phoned once a week which I believe is reasonable and definitely not expected tasks to be done in a nanosecond. I was greeted with a shitty attitude today and made to feel awful for even daring to ring for an update. I don't expect things to be done on the very same day or even the following day but a week to respond to emails or paperwork is ridiculous and why should I have to nag them to do things in a timely manner? Pathetic. Oh, and I'm glad your not my solicitor.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 22:50

@TrufflesLies your attitude sounds just as bad as the solicitor that I'm using!

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 22:59

Gosh, house buying is so stressful 😆

I'm sure there are many people who are worse off though. I've read some right horror stories on here, my situation must sound like a breeze!

OP posts:
TrufflesLies · 27/08/2021 23:00

Yes you're right. I do apologise.

Original poster
Itsfridaynight · 27/08/2021 23:04

No need to apologise @TrufflesLies, you're entitled to your opinion. I'm on one way today anyway 😆 a glass of wine and a good nights sleep I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning. Ohhh how I wish I was a cash buyer ha!

OP posts:
SoundBar · 27/08/2021 23:11

Just ring every day and be direct but polite. Don't ask for an update. Be specific. Keep a note of what you're still waiting for and ask every day about those specific things until they are done. Forward on copies of emails that you have which haven't had a reply yet. If you don't hear back, forward on your forwarding!

Unfortunately this is how conveyancing works, you're just one client in a big line and it means the world to you but it's usually just another job to them. Nothing personal. It will work out, just be persistent and annoying but stay polite and formal.

Mydogmylife · 27/08/2021 23:12

@TrufflesLies

You sound so entitled. Do you not realise it is the busiest time for conveyancers? Their workload is sky high. You're not their only client. Ringing on a Friday is pointless. You are unimportant on a Friday. Friday's are for exchanges and completions. No solicitor wants to be trawling your file for an update when they need to ensure funds are through, exchanges are done and completions are taking place. You'll go down there to show you mean business? Wtaf! Do you actually think they are going to do anything other than send the secretary down to take a message. That's even if they'll grant you access. I think you need to get a grip. I appreciate you're pissed off it wasn't done in a nanosecond but seriously if you were my client I'd put your file to the bottom of the pile.
Well, I take it you are a conveyancer? Your attitude stinks
GinIronic · 27/08/2021 23:18

House buying is the most stressful process I've ever had to endure. You have my sympathies OP. When we bought our present home, we had already sold and were in rented accommodation. The vendors had also moved into rented as they were self builders. The house we were buying was empty. There were two in the chain. We were cash buyers. The house purchase took 7 months to complete!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 27/08/2021 23:19

Last time we bought, I had to stick metaphorical sticks of dynamite up the solicitor’s arse. Hopeless.

You’d have hoped things would have moved on since a certain Victorian novelist called his fictional solicitors Messrs. Slow and Bideawhile.

.