Foxtons - could they stoop any lower?

[zookey]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I have previously had a nightmare with Foxtons when I was renting my flat with them - they are evil and their work ethic is vile.

A disgusting company whose reputation, although terrible, people still think 'sell through them, not buy through them' - hopefully people will stop believing their inflated valuations and stop using them.

If I was interested in a property that was marketed with them, I would post a letter through the door and stay I would only put in an offer if they changed estate agents - I know that sounds extreme/petty but I do not want them to profit at all from me.

Anyway, just wanted to post to say good luck with the house search and consider if it's worth approaching the seller separately to see if they would still be interested in selling, I suppose it depends if they are rush...

[bodsier]

These tricks could not be played if vendors refused to collaborate. morally these actions are wrong, and possibly unachievable as may prove to be the case in this instance. Homes are just seen as investments not shelter...so some people don't think about the consequences to others, just the money. I am sorry familyof4, I hope you find a new home.

[familyof4]

I think you have highlighted two discreet issues

One is the debate around property being an investment, which I can see and isn't really the problem I have with this situation.

The issue I have is the manor at which this sale fell through.

A price was agreed. The sale was going through. Until ykw stepped in.

I agree that the vendor is partly responsible, but he was also, imo, deceived by what to me was a false promise and hope laid onto him by foxtons. They assured him they could get the higher price and (so far) that's turned out to be untrue.

In financial investments as far as I'm aware, you cannot make statements like 'we can sell that for a higher price'.

You're not allowed to make forward looking statements like that.

These are vasts sums of money and most importantly ppl's lives. If ppl can't behave decently, then I think it should be more tightly regulated - imo.

[newboots]

Ultimately it is down to the vendor. I'd say he/she was 95% responsible.

[danthemanandcat]

I just want to say that it is not always Foxtons who behaves this way. I was trying to buy a home in Dulwich with my family and we had an offer being seriously considered on a house. We offered more than the place was probably worth (it had been rented and was in a terrible condition) and they seller was keen to go ahead.... UNTIL Greg from Spencer Kennedy called the Seller and told him that Spencer Kennedy could get ?75K more than we were offering for their property. He was comparing it to stunning houses that Spencer Kennedy was selling that were in immaculate condition and needed no work doing to them. Greg has seen the house and knew the state it was in - but still deliberately over-inflated it's price to take the sale away from the other agent who were representing it honestly.

Obviously this tactic worked and the Seller rejected our offer. The house didn't sell and ended up being re-rented.

In the end we bought a different home through Spencer Kennedy (some of their agents are lovely, just stay clear of Greg) but Greg almost lost us that sale by messing up our paperwork and causing us a month long delay in the purchase.

[letmefixthat]

H.