Using the same EA for all the chain

[anyname123]

Any advice appreciated. I'm close to putting an offer in on a house that the vendor doesn't want to sell (messy divorce, a whole other thread!). Considering using the same EA as I think the process will be hard work and they will manage it more effectively I'd they have 2 commissions riding on it. I'm also impressed by their professionalism.
Had a price from another EA of £699. This EA is an older, experienced lady who has worked for the big players and is setting up on her own. She admits she hasn't got many houses on her books, but said she'll work her arse off to sell my house.
Other EA want £1200 + vat. Huge difference, no flexibility on price despite me speaking to the manager, they are a slick city center firm, and have set fees.
So WWYD, go with the EA to mange the chain, or go with the other agents for half the price?

[JoJoSM2]

I can't see how an agent would manage a chain. It's about everyone getting a move on and the solicitors getting on with it. I wouldn't just gift the agent almost a grand in the hope they might try harder. And remember that no one can make the vendor sell if they choose not to.

[anyname123]

Thanks Jojo. I'm a novice as to how chains are manages, who does more, EA or solicitor.
There is a court order I believe that when the eldest child leaves home the house has to sold or one buy the other out, and that time has come. I feel heart sorry for the lady selling the house, but she acknowledge's that she has no choice. SI she doesn't want to sell but she has to if that makes sense.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

We were recently in a chain of four all with the same EA. I have no comparison, however I will say that at the end of the process it was the lady a the EA who did all the phoning, Sweet talking, organising etc to get us all ok to move on the same date. This was after the solicitors had done their bit, obviously that is all dependent on them, but she was invaluable in getting things moving to get an exchange and a date to move. She even organised house clearance and removals for the people up the chain when out buyers (bottom of chain) insisted on a 3 day turnaround from exchange to completion.

The EA stood to make quite a chunk of commission and shift 2 difficult to shift houses so it was in their interests to do this. It was also useful to have someone in the loop for all parties as in a chain each solicitor can only speak to their own clients- so your buyer and you and your vendor. If you're in a longer chain than that you have to wait for the messages to trickle dorm the chain whereas out EA would ring everyone weekly to update us all.

[anyname123]

Thanks thenew, that's the sort of thing I was hoping to find out, if they put more effort in when they are managing the whole chain, and have more control over everything. I think that may be worth the extra money in my case, as the vendor is especially tricky, it took me a month to get a first viewing!