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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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.

OP posts:
IamSmarticus · 21/01/2026 12:54

I can't really see an issue to be honest.

If the EA think that the house is empty then they wouldn't have seen an issue with the placement of the sign. Also estate agents don't to put their own signs up, they probably use a company that covers many areas and are not on your area again until next week.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 12:58

IamSmarticus · 21/01/2026 12:54

I can't really see an issue to be honest.

If the EA think that the house is empty then they wouldn't have seen an issue with the placement of the sign. Also estate agents don't to put their own signs up, they probably use a company that covers many areas and are not on your area again until next week.

The estate agents know that my daughter is staying there. Her car was also parked on the drive when the agent / company put the sign up.

It’s all good and well saying they can do it next week, but what is she suppose to do in the meantime if she needs to go out?

OP posts:
pouletvous · 21/01/2026 12:59

I cant imagine a for sale sign has blocked a driveway ?

how big is the sign?

just go round and move it yourself

pouletvous · 21/01/2026 13:01

Theyre so easy to move

yabu

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:01

pouletvous · 21/01/2026 12:59

I cant imagine a for sale sign has blocked a driveway ?

how big is the sign?

just go round and move it yourself

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.

OP posts:
Nevergotdivorced · 21/01/2026 13:01

It is not the EA that puts up the sign, there are companies that do this for them.

If it is that much of a problem send a photograph with a polite email explaining.

itsonlyraining · 21/01/2026 13:02

pouletvous · 21/01/2026 13:01

Theyre so easy to move

yabu

How? We’ve tried. It’s nailed into the wall and ground.

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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?

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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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.

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.

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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Ablondiebutagoody · 21/01/2026 13:25

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

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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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.

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..

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.

OP posts:
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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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 🤷‍♀️

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 15:00

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

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

OP posts:
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 15:08

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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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 15:14

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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