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| Foxtons | I can only reinforce opinions on this site that Foxtons are the most evil company I have ever had the displeasure of doing business with. I am a landlord and have several properties let with different agents. By comparison, all are honest and trouble-free except for Foxtons. Right, where to start? 1. They forced me into accepting a 'fully serviced' tenancy agreement which was a further 7.05% (inc. VAT)deduction from the rent because 'the tenant said that he only wants a property that is fully serviced'. Checking with the tenant later, he stated that Foxtons said that the property was 'only available on a fully serviced basis'. 2. Despite their appalling service, they charge an unnacceptably high commission - 12.9% (inc. VAT) compared to other agents' maximum of 11.75% (inc.VAT). 3. Worst of all, buried in the small print of their tenancy agreement was the fact that they take ALL of their commission UP FRONT!!!! How outrageous is that? - My tenancy agreement is for a long-term let, so for the first year I received no income whatsoever as they skimmed their fat commission right off the top. And what if they go bust? Then they've got their commission and you're left with having paid for a service that hasn't been delivered. Actually, I think I'm coming to the view that I would happily give up the commission in order to see them go bust - except for the fact that it would be the poor staff in the front line that would suffer the consequences, not their fat cat partners who would no doubt have been able to squirrel enough away before allowing the whole enterprise to collapse. 4. When I called to complain (about the up front commission, the 'tenant-specified' service charge and their general attitude), several things were remarkable. Firstly, the fact that it is impossible to speak to the same person twice. This I think must have something to do with their 'battery-farming' attitude towards their staff. They seem to attract them on the basis of high potential earnings but then cut their salary after a few months, then put them on high-pressure commission based remuneration packages which of course is designed to get blood out of a stone and clearly most of them find it humanly impossible to cope. I've had the most riduculous and patronising excuses for their behaviour and charges, stooping to 'we're open on Saturdays'. 5. Late payment - most agencies collect rentals on time and remit to Landlords on time. Every single payment date for the last year has been missed. When chased up, the problem of never being able to find the last person you spoke to rears its ugly head. Then there's the excuse 'the tenant hasn't paid us' which is not only not true but their problem not mine, especially on a 'fully managed' basis. Then when they finally admit to having the rental (possibly all of the time), any attempt to get it remitted with haste is greeted with the 'It'll cost you for a bank transfer' - again, not only not my problem, but an appalling attitude to customer service. On the whole, if you are a Landlord, DO NOT be even tempted to call them. If you are a tenant, then be prepared for trouble that they will no doubt blame on the Landlord. Let's hope that the power of the internet will eventually prevail in the housing sector which will join client to principal without the greed and unethical behaviour of companies such as Foxtons. The estate agent will still have a role, but based on good customer service, knowledge and ethical behaviour which has a value to everyone.  foxtonsareevil at 13th Apr 2006, 12:38PM |
