Why is an estate agent's recommendation to use a conveyancer not transparent?

[BeterP]

We seem to be more aware these days of hidden commissions being paid by companies (ie motor dealers) which eventually come to light and cost the perpetrator millions in redress. Wouldn't it be better to come clean in the first place? Or is that being too naive? I speak from experience in going with solicitors and conveyancers recommended by estate agents and, being nearly six months down the line, have no prospect of completion. I suspect their low level of service is because they pay for the recommendations and as a result offer a cheap service. Buyers / sellers beware!

These was a recent TV program to illustrate what reptiles EA are - and thats an insult to reptiles. Some of them have their own favoured companies they deal with for mortgages, conveyancers etc and earn commission for doing so. Clients who agree to go with their recomendations are termed "hot" and their offers on a property may be the only ones notified to a seller. This can adversely affect the price that the seller gets because of lack of competition from other NOT HOT potential buyers.

There have been other threads on MN confirming this. One recently where the buyer told the sellers that the EA had charged him a huge sum to give him preferential treatment. There is a word for this. Its called fraud.

I thought it was widely known they get commission for recommending conveyancers. It's often stated on Rightmove they get a commission.

If I was an EA I would only recommend a solicitor with a good track record of acting promptly and sorting out issues. The EA is the only one in the process who doesn't get paid if the sale doesn't complete. And the only one who puts out their own costs on that basis. Listing on Rightmove etc is expensive, doing the photos (if they get a proper photographer), the energy rating etc.

When I needed to get a complicated purchase and sale through quickly I asked the EAs for recommendations for solicitors, surveyors, a damp specialist etc. I did interview them and compare, and got a really good service.

Do your research, but while EAs can be reptiles, they can also be worth their weight on gold sorting out problems in chains, rows between different parties etc.