Put offer in, now under offer (not ours)

[LonelyStranger]

Side note before I put message, NC from Emotionaleater.

We were interested in a property that came back on the market. We were the first to view and put offer in (were told at least three other viewings will take place). We placed our offer last week Friday, and the EA stated we should hear back Monday. We didn’t hear back, and even though I was more let’s chase this up, husband said to leave it for a while
So today, at 7pm the house now states under offer. We haven’t received any calls from EA since placing offer, and I’m gutted. I was hoping if our offer was too low (8% under) they would have told us. We didn’t say it was final offer.

Does this sound right and is this something to expect when trying to buy? I know the sellers have elsewhere already and wanted to move out quickly, so as FTB chains free and cash buyers I was hoping we were in a good position.
Just feel a little deflated... there are always other houses

If you really, really want the house and the vendors are still clearly resident there, it may be worth going round and dropping a note in their letterbox explaining what has happened with the estate agency..

...that you have therefore been unable to put in your ‘best and final offer’ and could you have first refusal if the purchase does not proceed? Obviously say that if so, could they contact you directly in case the estate agent fails to inform you (again).

You never know, the other buyer may drop out if not proceedable or when the survey comes in. Btw how proceedeable are you?

Thank you everyone for the replies.

DayatTheraces- I have thought about doing that, but in two minds.
We are cash buyers, and have all our finances in place (our savings, the borrowed and early inheritance ). We are also chain free as FTB.

The last sale fell through as the buyer was unable to secure a mortgage.

I think the only reason I feel so deflated is because we were not contacted. After reading the replies here, I guess EAs can be hard work :(

I'm so sorry, that's so shitty, normally they do give the other person a chance to put in a higher offer. They sound like crap EA's!

We had this on a house, turned out it was a chum of the EA who bought it.
No problem as the house we subsequently bought is much nicer (and cheaper!) than that one.
Stay strong OP