Estate Agent literally shouting and trying to browbeat me

[rainandsun]

I had a phone call yesterday from the estate agent "director" yesterday (even though I had asked for a call back on Monday and nobody bothered to tell her and she never did the the message); she said she was going on holiday but before she went she wanted to get me more viewings. I knew what was coming....

She proceeded to build up to her crappy sales pitch about how great she was a valuing property and what a great saleswoman she was blah blah blah. It went on and on. Then of course she told me she wanted to reduced the price by about £12,000, but she would get me the current asking price by doing this. Absolute rubbish.

Much to my annoyance she then started shouting and repeatedly saying my name and was trying to browbeat me into a price reduction whilst giving me the same self inflated sales pitch and improbable tactics they promised in the first place. I near enough had to practically hang up on her to get her iff the phone.

What would you do about this. I want to give notice but is there particularly wording I have to say to get out of the contract?

Yes good call I will ask for confirmation.

I will ask for valuations from a few more estate agents before choosing one.
Any suggestions how to pick a good Estate Agency? I don't think reviews are trustworthy most of the time. This EA said check my reviews!

Word of mouth / friend recommendation is usually the best!

Just cancel them. Give them notice and re-list with another agency in two weeks.

Serve notice now. I dropped my price thinking maybe offers over would get the right price and it does not.

The worst agents over value just to flatter and get your business ahead of other EA at appraisal stage - then they leave it on the market for a week or two and ask you to reduce the price.

You need to do your own homework to understand the sales prices of similar properties in your area so that you have a realistic value before agents even get involved - then you select one that is accurate and you are comfortable working with. The market (buyers) determine the sale price not the EA.

If there's any chance that you might put the house back on the market with another agent any time soon, you need to ask them for a full list of names (but obviously not any contact details) of the people they introduced to the property because if you end up selling to someone who first saw the property during the past few weeks, you will wil liable forpaying 2 sets of agents fees.

OP on two occasions I've had to market a house. The pushy aggressive, use-your-name-every-two-seconds salespeople undervalued the houses while using the exact patter you describe 'put it on low and then get a bidding war'.

On both occasions I went with a quiet, apparently unpushy agent who put it on at a much higher price and got the full asking price both times.
Those aggressive agents are out to turn over houses fast for their cut.They don't care what you get.

Tell her you don't like being shouted at and have decided to withdraw from the market.

Whereabouts in London? I can recommend an amazing EA in North London, they sold our flat super quick last year when I was sure we would really struggle and they were really nice too, no bullshit, no hard sell, very good communication. But they are fairly small outfit only three offices in Finsbury Park, Archway and Highbury areas, so depends where you are.

Thank you all for telling me your experiences. It is validating to hear that my gut is right.

Secretbookcase - yes it is totally off putting and I agree they don't care what you get. The thing is she was on holiday when I chose the EA and I dealt with a more calm level headed person, who brought with her examples of similar properties to mine that they had sold.

Jejazz- It's West London, but thank you it would have been nice to get a good recommendation.

I don't think it's a good time to sell perhaps.

Sinooh - Do they not provide me with that list on giving notice, as a matter of course. I asked to be given names and written confirmation of viewings with names? They did it once. Absolutely shocking service.

I have only been in a situation of changing agents during marketing a property once. They didn't give me the list until I demanded it but I don't know if that was unusual or normal.

Well done you for demanding it. Seems unfair if you have to demand a list when they have clauses about paying fees if they have introduced a buyer previously.
How would the seller know if they are not provided with the list. They should provide it.

It seems like one big con game. I understand the poor reputation on EAs now.

This is a little eye opener for me. I have completed my Sale (used an online Agent), but dealing with Agents day to day as I look for somewhere to buy. I was due to exchange on a property, but there was some major issues so I pulled out. Had so many horrid calls with the EA, aggressive, gaslighting also. Kept telling me "nothing has changed since you viewed the house" and I replied "well I now have a Solicitor who is undertaking all the necessary checks, and there is a lack of Building Regs for two major pieces of work (extension and loft conversion)". It was horrible.

Yes Areyouhavingagiraffe, and they answer your logical statements with repetition, word salad and non sensical sales patter - that's if the listen to you at all. That stuff doesn't work on me.

However the gaslighting and the aggression really shocked me. I'm glad you stuck to your guns.

Oh here we go. I gave notice to the agents and asked for them to confirm receipt of the email and no response.

What shall I do? I will have to go and pick up they keys too.

Give them a deadline with a consequence….

Look on rightmove in your area for similar properties that are recently sold and do a tally chart or estate agents. The one with the most sales would be my first choice.

Thanks for that advice. I will see where you do this on Rightmove.

Oh they answered me and said they received my notice. I have started a new thread! Apparently now they have a second viewing tomorrow....

Never mind I see what you mean! Do my own tally chart. I'm on it.

@rainandsun

Thanks for that advice. I will see where you do this on Rightmove.

Oh they answered me and said they received my notice. I have started a new thread! Apparently now they have a second viewing tomorrow....

What are you going to do about that? Do you think it’s a ruse?

DFOD that's what I started the new thread about as I have definitely read on hearts that once you give notice EAs can start playing all sorts of games.

I was asking for others experience of this and what to look out for on the new thread.

I’ve had this once before , I handed notice switched agents and it was sold within a fortnight at full asking price

Yes MrsByers that is what I'm hoping for. I may put it back on after Christmas though.