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whistleblower bbc
I saw some sharp practice but to be honest for a four plus month undercover operation I thought they were really struggling to come up with anything solid against Foxtons - Martin could you be specific about what you think they did wrong and how this damaged their buyers or sellers? -I must have missed something.
I think estate agents in the UK have always had a bad image. It is the sort of job that people never used to like to say they did, when asked at parties. People perceive them as getting a lot of money for doing not very much. However, if there wasn't the demand, then they wouldn't exist. So, we kind of get what we deserve sometimes.
When I first came to the Algarve, I was offered jobs in real estate but after thinking about it, I realised that most of the companies and the work involved didn't sit comfortably with my purposes in life. Each to their own.
It is easy to put things in other people's hands but we often pay a price for that, sometimes a small price worth paying, but other times a very big price. We all make our choices.
When I first came to the Algarve, I was offered jobs in real estate but after thinking about it, I realised that most of the companies and the work involved didn't sit comfortably with my purposes in life. Each to their own.
It is easy to put things in other people's hands but we often pay a price for that, sometimes a small price worth paying, but other times a very big price. We all make our choices.
well for example you yourself made this comment earlier and I quote
"The rogue agents were indefensible, but whilst Foxtons were acting incorectly (indeed illegally with the forging of signatures) I did not see any evidence that anyone was deliberately mislead."
Thus by your own words you say yourself that they were acting incorrectly and then confirm next "indeed illegally with the forging of signatures"
Correct me if I am wrong is not the forging of signatures illegal?...the very fact of a forged signature is that of someone trying to mislead for some motive.
The very fact of forging signatures is a deliberate act to mislead - I wonder if those (or even the police) who signatures were forged would take your view that nothing was untoward.
Personally I would not want to deal with a company who forged my signature. ...if you wish to do so then please feel free to continue with your business association with them
"The rogue agents were indefensible, but whilst Foxtons were acting incorectly (indeed illegally with the forging of signatures) I did not see any evidence that anyone was deliberately mislead."
Thus by your own words you say yourself that they were acting incorrectly and then confirm next "indeed illegally with the forging of signatures"
Correct me if I am wrong is not the forging of signatures illegal?...the very fact of a forged signature is that of someone trying to mislead for some motive.
The very fact of forging signatures is a deliberate act to mislead - I wonder if those (or even the police) who signatures were forged would take your view that nothing was untoward.
Personally I would not want to deal with a company who forged my signature. ...if you wish to do so then please feel free to continue with your business association with them
Martin - if only the world was quite so black and white.
For example, at the moment, I have a business deal that I have been working on for some months. It needs completing by tonight. I have just been informed that, whilst my colleague has signed everything over the last month they forgot to get a second signature on a piece of paper required by the data protection act.
My colleague is currently half way across the atlantic and cannot sign.
I am not going to forge my colleagues signature. We will lose a very good deal because of it - it is a really unimportant piece of paper nut hey ho - it's only money. (and I am sure my colleague will understand!)
This is actually happening right now and I am very, very angry about it but if the governement says this thing must be signed who am I to argue.
For example, at the moment, I have a business deal that I have been working on for some months. It needs completing by tonight. I have just been informed that, whilst my colleague has signed everything over the last month they forgot to get a second signature on a piece of paper required by the data protection act.
My colleague is currently half way across the atlantic and cannot sign.
I am not going to forge my colleagues signature. We will lose a very good deal because of it - it is a really unimportant piece of paper nut hey ho - it's only money. (and I am sure my colleague will understand!)
This is actually happening right now and I am very, very angry about it but if the governement says this thing must be signed who am I to argue.
One door closes, another one opens, Graham. Something bigger and better might be just around the corner, because what you put out into this world you get back.
Without our integrity we are nothing.
I saw someone forge a signature here once and he was laughing about doing it. When I looked horrified, he then said it was "only" his father's. I wouldn't forge my mother, father or anyone's signature.
Without our integrity we are nothing.
I saw someone forge a signature here once and he was laughing about doing it. When I looked horrified, he then said it was "only" his father's. I wouldn't forge my mother, father or anyone's signature.
well once upon a time I worked for a bank..can you imagine what would happen if bank clerks started forging customers signatures!!!
but it seems if your an estate agent its ok...well sorry its not!
if they are forging one set of signatures then who knows what they are doing!!??.
if you as I stated earlier you want to do business with such a firm then please feel free.
but it seems if your an estate agent its ok...well sorry its not!
if they are forging one set of signatures then who knows what they are doing!!??.
if you as I stated earlier you want to do business with such a firm then please feel free.
Talking about dodgy estate agents and lowering the tone in the way that only I (oh and Ellie of course) do!!
I once attended a function which was primarily and big estate agents do and there was a competition between them to produce annually at this function the most 'hmmmmmmm' item they had acquired from properties they had sold during the year.
They produced such gems as gigantic whale catcher knickers, bondage gear and other sex toys all stolen.
The most bizarre even got a prize - I was of course mortified, and had every intention of reporting such crass behaviour to the police however I think it was a week tuesday before I had sobered enough to do that.
Maddi
I once attended a function which was primarily and big estate agents do and there was a competition between them to produce annually at this function the most 'hmmmmmmm' item they had acquired from properties they had sold during the year.
They produced such gems as gigantic whale catcher knickers, bondage gear and other sex toys all stolen.
The most bizarre even got a prize - I was of course mortified, and had every intention of reporting such crass behaviour to the police however I think it was a week tuesday before I had sobered enough to do that.
Maddi
I have just noticed this stream.
As a chartered surveyor who has worked in the property industry for more than 30 years, I can tell you that there are still many agents who are chartered or belong to some other professional body. It is even more galling to us who have spent years getting a degree, then a further two years to get our 'letters', to see such programmes. These people should be jailed for their illegal practices never mind just being exposed on TV.
As it happens, I am not involved in the sales side of things but my company does have sales offices. If any of our staff even got close to such behaviour they would be sacked immediately. They are not on commission, go through extensive training, and are paid a proper rate for the job.
ALWAYS use an agent who belongs to a recognised professional body. I guarantee there are far more honest agents than dishonest - at least in the north of England, where we are based.
As a chartered surveyor who has worked in the property industry for more than 30 years, I can tell you that there are still many agents who are chartered or belong to some other professional body. It is even more galling to us who have spent years getting a degree, then a further two years to get our 'letters', to see such programmes. These people should be jailed for their illegal practices never mind just being exposed on TV.
As it happens, I am not involved in the sales side of things but my company does have sales offices. If any of our staff even got close to such behaviour they would be sacked immediately. They are not on commission, go through extensive training, and are paid a proper rate for the job.
ALWAYS use an agent who belongs to a recognised professional body. I guarantee there are far more honest agents than dishonest - at least in the north of England, where we are based.
estate agents in Portugal
On 'Place in the sun' they said in Portugal the agent takes 6% - in the UK its only 1-2%
Hi all...read this post with interest. I hate Estate agents with a passion.
We eventually sold our house through a web company...www.thelittlehousecompany.co.uk Cost us less than £200
Once we had agreed a deal with the buyers we both made an agreement that moving house was stressful enough without any additonal headaches and basically had a pact to be honest and upfront with each other (no lying agents involved to complicate matters)...and everything went through smoothly and openly. It was great.
Piglet..now happy in Portugal after stressful years with estate agents trying unsucessfuly to sell her house!...if you want a job done do it yourself!
We eventually sold our house through a web company...www.thelittlehousecompany.co.uk Cost us less than £200
Once we had agreed a deal with the buyers we both made an agreement that moving house was stressful enough without any additonal headaches and basically had a pact to be honest and upfront with each other (no lying agents involved to complicate matters)...and everything went through smoothly and openly. It was great.
Piglet..now happy in Portugal after stressful years with estate agents trying unsucessfuly to sell her house!...if you want a job done do it yourself!