Talk Quesada forum

Jan, I see you have locked my thread on 'Estate Agents fees' after DTR's post regarding paying cash to which you added 'Good Post'.

My thread had nothing to do with paying anyone cash, it was to do with the guaranteed fees Estate agents charge.
With respect, rather than locking the thread because of the 'cash' references, would it not be better to delete all posts (thread drifts) regarding cash and let the discussion run?

Half-full wrote:Jan, I see you have locked my thread on 'Estate Agents fees' after DTR's post regarding paying cash to which you added 'Good Post'.

My thread had nothing to do with paying anyone cash, it was to do with the guaranteed fees Estate agents charge.
With respect, rather than locking the thread because of the 'cash' references, would it not be better to delete all posts (thread drifts) regarding cash and let the discussion run?

It was to more to do with the fact that every time we have Estate Agent topics they become controversial and end up getting complaints. It's not easy to judge when to lock a topic, pull a topic or just delete certain posts but it did seem to be at a natural conclusion and rather than leaving it open to drift off topic until arguments start and complaints flood in, it seemed safer to lock it.

To be honest there are a few subjects that fill the Admin with dread whenever they are broached and Estate Agents are one of them. With the amount of houses being sold in the area and even though the majority have a satisfactory experience, there are by the laws of averages always going to be a few who have had problems and these topics attract those, even if the original question has nothing to do with their problem.

Sorry we locked your topic but we are damned if we do and damned if we don't I'm afraid.

Re: Estate Agents fees

Unread postby DTR » Fri Apr 20, 2018 11:42 am

Poor estate agents, again getting hammered.
NEVER seen a poor estate agent yet,say no more

Totally understand and appreciate Jan's position here. Some topics appear to generate more heat than light.

Jan wrote:

Half-full wrote:Jan, I see you have locked my thread on 'Estate Agents fees' after DTR's post regarding paying cash to which you added 'Good Post'.

My thread had nothing to do with paying anyone cash, it was to do with the guaranteed fees Estate agents charge.
With respect, rather than locking the thread because of the 'cash' references, would it not be better to delete all posts (thread drifts) regarding cash and let the discussion run?

It was to more to do with the fact that every time we have Estate Agent topics they become controversial and end up getting complaints. It's not easy to judge when to lock a topic, pull a topic or just delete certain posts but it did seem to be at a natural conclusion and rather than leaving it open to drift off topic until arguments start and complaints flood in, it seemed safer to lock it.

To be honest there are a few subjects that fill the Admin with dread whenever they are broached and Estate Agents are one of them. With the amount of houses being sold in the area and even though the majority have a satisfactory experience, there are by the laws of averages always going to be a few who have had problems and these topics attract those, even if the original question has nothing to do with their problem.

Sorry we locked your topic but we are damned if we do and damned if we don't I'm afraid.

People's perception of Estate Agents has never changed, what puzzles me is people are made aware before buying/selling of their fees.

If they are not made aware - then they should ask. Why then complain after a sale is complete & the estate agent asks for the fee to be paid.

yes they should ask, and see a contract of what is entailed from both parties,
what we are saying is what they charge, there fees seem to be terrific for what they do ,and some agents do underhand deals according to some posts on here,

With respect to those who want to give their opinion on this piggy backed topic after the last one was locked...

Here we go again !!

Please keep this topic friendly and be careful what you post (for various reasons).As mentioned above the majority of buyers and sellers have a satisfactory experience but there are by the laws of averages, as with everything, always going to be a few who have had problems for whatever reason and these topics attract those comments more than the many people who have had a smooth conveyance.

We will close or pull the topic if we see it going that way again.

Thank you.

)

GLASSMAN wrote:yes they should ask, and see a contract of what is entailed from both parties,
what we are saying is what they charge, there fees seem to be terrific for what they do ,and some agents do underhand deals according to some posts on here,

I agree GLASSMAN.

I suspect the guaranteed fee might have started during the recession when prices were low and properties were not selling or selling for a very low price to help agents survive. I am open to correction on this, it's just a guess.
I have nothing wrong with that but now that properties have started moving again should they not work on a commission basis only?

My point in the original thread was to highlight how an unscrupulous or 'fly by night' agent could exploit the 'guarantee versus percentage' deal to sell lesser priced properties quickly and cheaply to claim their guaranteed fee while holding out when it suits if the percentage end of the deal is going to be more lucrative.

As I said before, I do not believe any of the established agents would practice this or they would not survive but it is open to the 'fly by night' operators in a business that is not regulated as such.

I respect Jan's dilemma when threads drift off course, should she lock the thread or delete the offending posts. In this case I would have deleted the offending posts (because it was my topic ) and let the discussion run.
So I won't be making any more comment on this thread as I don't want to add to Jan's concerns.

I can empathise with Jan. As owner / moderator of a website you have legal and moral codes to adhere too. Once an individual has posted something on an open forum it is there for all to see and could be used in court as evidence of libel. Please note, I am not stating or suggesting that anyone has made any derogatory comments. But as moderator it is easier to step in and "nip it in the bud" before that occurs. I for one appreciate that this forum is kept friendly and topics on track. Well done Jan & Alex.