DICKsons, the Estate Agents in the UK, live up to their name

Oneills381 · 27th June 2008, 15:31

we have had our house up for sale with DICKsons in the UK since January 08

about a month ago they asked us to join into this new deal, whereby we give the potential buyer there 5% deposit (out of my own pocket)

DICKsons would not budge on reducing their commission, but expected me to pick up all the related costs.

i said no thank you

two weeks ago, they asked us to reduce the price by 5k, which we did, they never advertised the fact that it was now a reduced price or that it has no upward chain.

yesterday, the manager of the local branch telephoned and stated or should i say demanded, that we drop our price again by 15k . . .

we stated that we did not want to do this, his reply was "well then, i`m taking your house off the market" when we asked why, he stated "cause i cant sell your house" !!!!

now correct me if i am wrong, are they not there for you and not the other way round?

surely, if we were in a so called position that say we couldn`t reduce the price anymore because of mortgage commitments. you would state that you wanted the house to be marketed at value X.

we have contacted their head office, and the MD there states that the local branch manager cannot demand or state that if we do not reduce the price, they will take the house of the market.

today we have had a bill for the stupid HIPS, and it states that as requested the bill is required to be paid ASAP (with an extra 50quid added from somewhere!!)

i know of people here and on this forum, who have had their homes up for sale for decades !!, so why is it that after 5 months they want to pull the plug?

we have read the contract fully and spoken with head office, and we are well within our rights to stay on the market at the price we suggest and not one that the local branch demand.

but to be honest, i feel like taking this further as now if my home does sell. i dont want that dick at DICKsons getting any bloody commission......

Fancyfree50 · 27th June 2008, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oneills381

about a month ago they asked us to join into this new deal, whereby we give the potential buyer there 5% deposit (out of my own pocket)

You were right to reject this idea as it amounts to mortgage fraud, and would have been questioned eventually by the solicitors.

Quote:

we stated that we did not want to do this, his reply was "well then, i`m taking your house off the market" when we asked why, he stated "cause i cant sell your house" !!!!

What does your contract say?If they refuse to market your house, can you drop them early and move to a better agent?

The market is incredibly slow at present as virtually no first time buyers can get mortgages: those that can are scared of buying because they are worried prices will fall and they will be in negative equity from the start.

Have you considered renting out your property while waiting for the credit crunch to end? Until the banks start lending again, things aren't likely to improve IMHO

Vortex wake · 27th June 2008, 16:27

The first agent I had to value my house stated an amount that was 15% less than everyone else

I went elsewhere and got a valuation that was correct and sold it almost at that price.

As soon as you can (if you can) drop them and go elsewhere

. The agent is after his/her £££ that is all

Renting out is a pain I can tell you

My tenants .........

'I used a hair drier to defrost the fridge - now it don't work, get another one for me'
'The washing machine has bust - get another one'
'I don't like having a bath - fit a shower'
'The plumber charge £85 to fit a tap washer - pay up'
blah de blah

loobie · 27th June 2008, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fancyfree50

You were right to reject this idea as it amounts to mortgage fraud, and would have been questioned eventually by the solicitors.

What does your contract say?If they refuse to market your house, can you drop them early and move to a better agent?

The market is incredibly slow at present as virtually no first time buyers can get mortgages: those that can are scared of buying because they are worried prices will fall and they will be in negative equity from the start.

Have you considered renting out your property while waiting for the credit crunch to end? Until the banks start lending again, things aren't likely to improve IMHO

Thanks for your reply.. very helpful

The contract does say that either can withdraw the agreement; however under the Housing act 2004 and a few other acts they have breached their contract

I've already highlighted this to them.. but how do you get a 21yr old manager to understand the law with contracts

He has taken the house off sale

sooooo being "loobie" I have informed them that... as their board is outside my home and advertising their business name I will charge them a £200 a day fee with 17.5% tax.. The manager stated he would need to speak to his manager to see if that could be done

See what we are up against

TheWhites · 27th June 2008, 16:35

Have you considered selling to your local housing association?

It's frustrating as hell dealing with effectively the local authorities, but if they have the money and your price is a fair one, they are generally interested assuming they have the funds, and there is a housing need.

loobie · 27th June 2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vortex wake

The first agent I had to value my house stated an amount that was 15% less than everyone else

I went elsewhere and got a valuation that was correct and sold it almost at that price.

As soon as you can (if you can) drop them and go elsewhere

. The agent is after his/her £££ that is all

Renting out is a pain I can tell you

My tenants .........

'I used a hair drier to defrost the fridge - now it don't work, get another one for me'
'The washing machine has bust - get another one'
'I don't like having a bath - fit a shower'
'The plumber charge £85 to fit a tap washer - pay up'
blah de blah

We already have someone to rent it but.... now you have mentioned washing machine, we have a shower etc... I'll re-word the contract

Vortex wake · 27th June 2008, 17:03

'The agent is after his/her £££ that is all '

I should make it clear that this relates to the agents I have used

Phew, do you think Mike noticed.......

Oneills381 · 27th June 2008, 17:14

do you think they can withdraw a house on just this one thing?

ie that they think its up for to much money?

loobie · 27th June 2008, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vortex wake

'The agent is after his/her £££ that is all '

I should make it clear that this relates to the agents I have used

Phew, do you think Mike noticed.......

Well.... their bully boy tactics do not work with me

It just annoys me that other people who can't afford their properties at the moment and struggling to make ends meets and this company can increase their debts with this stupid waste of time HIP report and demand it within 6 days in full payment

I know it was all about them making their monies at speed and no care was given to the vender.. I did highlight this to the so called manager

But how many are out their stressing as they can't lower their asking price

We could have lowered the price and still made a large sum of money but why should we

It is not a must we sell