I called the solicitor first thing but she didn't get back to me til late afternoon. In the meantime the Director called. He apologised for all the problems but again basically said there had been a breakdown in communication, he "fully understand" what had gone on.
He said again that apparently I had called back and verbally increased my offer. I asked what time? but he didn't know. I asked to hear the recording as all calls are recorded but unfortunately the E agent was self-isolating at home and his calls had not been recorded. Not sure of this is true or not.
He again repeated the bottom line of the owner will not go under 240, so how would I like to proceed? I said my offer was 238, that had been accepted and that I couldn't borrow anymore on the mortgage. I said we were renting, in no hurry and there were plenty of other houses on the market so if he couldn't rectify it, we would have no choice but to walk away. I asked if the vendor had received my first offer of 238. He went into the computer, told me the date and time the offer had been sent, but when I asked for how much , it "didn't say".
I demanded that the vendor should be made fully aware of all that was going on including my original offer.
A little later, the estate agent himself called, and said he had been under the impression I had verbally increased my offer on Monday. I said the only time I spoke to him on Monday was after the email acceptance of my offer had come through, so why would I offer 2k extra after my original offer had been accepted. He apologised for the misundertanding on his part but could say no more!
He asked what I wanted him to do and I said I wanted the vendor to know the full story including my original offer of 238.
He called back to say he had spoken to the vendor and the vendor wanted to reassure me that we could work something out and above all not to worry. The EA then asked me if I were willing to meet him half way, ie 239. I said, if push came to shove that's the absolute highest we could go, but I still wanted to offer the 238 first.
Meanwhile my husband had dropped a letter off through the door of the owner stating my contact details and I would like to discuss a few things with him.
This evening, the vendor called. Lovely, lovely man and very calm. I asked him what the original offer was he received from me - 240! So they had never given him my original letter. He didn't receive my offer with the letter and rationale.
He also implied that he was ok with 238! but the EA had tried to still twist an extra 1k out of me even after he told them it was fine.
So, there it is. Pretty dubious behaviour on the part of the EA. And very eye-opening. I was right in trusting my instinct in not trusting what the EAs were saying to me and thank you for all your advice.
I expect we will tie it all up tomorrow.
I am sorry it turned out so long.
Thank you for all your support, it has been an extremely stressful past, few days .