Foxtons/whistleblower

[Converted Lurker]

The programme was poor IMHO. Looks like a hatchet job on Foxtons, you wouldn`t need to be Charles Clarke to turn the tables and find out if the girl had a grudge v Foxtons given she lives close by Mr Hunt can afford a bit more pr then her methinks. I defy anyone not to walk into any organisation of that size and not come up with a story of some kind.."chop chop to fudge the sales figures" the Directors must be pissing themselves that the staff are that motivated. They have managed to create a culture of sucess there that even she bought into. Also her very poor attempt to blur the lines between how Foxtons operate and what the property developer nearly induced an agent into was very shaky

What do you really think that programme will change? Foxtons drying up of clients? Not a chance. Remind me how many satisfied customers do they have? How many properties have they sold in recent years?

As for the re-max guy they`re all franchises...It`s been fun, now get back to work

BTW, this was circulated well before the programme was aired

http://firstrung.co.uk/articles.asp?pageid...1501&cat=47-0-0

[Guest ex alexander hall employee]

I have to agree, I don't think Foxtons will go to the wall for this, but the number of people who think they are shady has probably just increased 200 fold.

[Europa]

What do you really think that programme will change? Foxtons drying up of clients? Not a chance.

Inclined to agree, I'm afraid. I've spent eight years in journalism (including a stint with the red top tabloids) and I always found that people rolled with the punches. Very rare for a news story to have a serious impact on its own, unless it manages to gather some momentum.

Chatting to a PR friend about this morning - he specialises in "crisis management". His take on it was that Foxtons will easily shake this off with a "few bad apples" approach.

[Converted Lurker]

Inclined to agree, I'm afraid. I've spent eight years in journalism (including a stint with the red top tabloids) and I always found that people rolled with the punches. Very rare for a news story to have a serious impact on its own, unless it manages to gather some momentum.

Chatting to a PR friend about this morning - he specialises in "crisis management". His take on it was that Foxtons will easily shake this off with a "few bad apples" approach.

Foxtons genuinely have every right to be annoyed that the lines between themselves and the deal/sting/pathetic inducement/never happened were so blurred. The developer could have been a trained actor for all we know, probably was. To then use that evidence and attempt to drag and drop Foxtons into it was a bit naughty IMHO. Now I had one eye on other stuff as I watched but I can`t recall that much that Foxtons really did wrong. It strikes me that she set out to nail Foxtons and failed as there wasn`t that much she could pin on them, instead she then cobbled together something else.

[Europa]

Foxtons genuinely have every right to be annoyed that the lines between themselves and the deal/sting/pathetic inducement/never happened were so blurred. The developer could have been a trained actor for all we know, probably was. To then use that evidence and attempt to drag and drop Foxtons into it was a bit naughty IMHO. Now I had one eye on other stuff as I watched but I can`t recall that much that Foxtons really did wrong. It strikes me that she set out to nail Foxtons and failed as there wasn`t that much she could pin on them, instead she then cobbled together something else.

Are your surprised? Journalists are prosecutors, not investigators. We think of the premise for a story then try to attract the truth towards it. I really don’t see anything wrong in that.

[Frizzers]

The programme was poor IMHO. Looks like a hatchet job on Foxtons, you wouldn`t need to be Charles Clarke to turn the tables and find out if the girl had a grudge v Foxtons given she lives close by Mr Hunt can afford a bit more pr then her methinks. I defy anyone not to walk into any organisation of that size and not come up with a story of some kind.."chop chop to fudge the sales figures" the Directors must be pissing themselves that the staff are that motivated. They have managed to create a culture of sucess there that even she bought into. Also her very poor attempt to blur the lines between how Foxtons operate and what the property developer nearly induced an agent into was very shaky

What do you really think that programme will change? Foxtons drying up of clients? Not a chance. Remind me how many satisfied customers do they have? How many properties have they sold in recent years?

As for the re-max guy they`re all franchises...It`s been fun, now get back to work

BTW, this was circulated well before the programme was aired

http://firstrung.co.uk/articles.asp?pageid...1501&cat=47-0-0

I'm with you CL.

The programme was very poor. What a wasted opportunity.

The journalist was guilty of lies and distortion on a far greater scale than any of the EAs she was outing. Her companions used highly immoral bullying tactics on the young guy who was supposed to find houses for the developer. He was clearly way out of his depth.

It appeared she had decided on her story and her stance long before she had gone undercover. Far more surprising would have been a programme saying EAs aren't actually as dodgy as we think.

The programme was weighed down by poorly-thought-out, student morals and filler. Anyone who has worked in sales of any kind will tell you the goings-on in that programme were lightweight. I could have put her in touch with a way more dodgy EA - known as Eddie the Envelope.

What I found very shocking was the ease in which the African was able to get a a very good fake passport.

It also revealed how greedy EVERYONE is. The buyers, the agents, the sellers, the journalists, the mortgage dealers.

Next time do a programme on how THICK many EAs are.

[I Told You So]

A friend of a friend - so take this how you like.

His mate works for a London Foxtons who told him that after the Evening Standard front page edition yesterday lunchtime 80% of their properties were withdrawn by the end of the day, before the show even went out!!

Now if this is true we could be waving good bye to those green minis sooner than you think.

[geneer]

Whatever you think, the practices observed at foxtons (i.e. the lies, deceit, forgery and fraud) are

despicable.

I wonder of the HIPS will put a dent in this...could be why they are all squealing like pigs about the impending change to the house selling process.

Edited March 22, 2006 by geneer

[Guest Charlie The Tramp]

I wonder of the HIPS will put a dent in this...could be why they are all squealing like pigs about the impending change to the house selling process.

I`m sure HIPs do not include a valuation.

[Given Up]

Wouldn't the programme make you more likely to give your property to Foxtons to sell? it's pretty clear that they are organised as a highly motivated sales team which is what you want i someone is selling something? isn't it?

What's the difference between their approach and that auctioneer who "took bids off the wall" in that property programem where the 2 scouse women bid against each other?

Agents are always saying "there's another interested party" when they mean that someone else has viewed a property and said it's quite nice.

EA's are sales people, that's their job. Why is anyone surprised?

There were elements last night which were criminal (fraudulent) such as bribes and forging passports.

EDIT - she spent 6 months on that investigation but only 2 and a half employed - what was she doing for the rest of the time?

Edited March 22, 2006 by Given Up

[Guest Charlie The Tramp]

Wouldn't the programme make you more likely to give your property to Foxtons to sell? it's pretty clear that they are organised as a highly motivated sales team which is what you want i someone is selling something? isn't it?

Yes you might, but as a buyer watching the programme would you not be put off buying at over inflated prices.

If I was a buyer I would not touch them but look elsewhere.

[Given Up]

Yes you might, but as a buyer watching the programme would you not be put off buying at over inflated prices.

If I was a buyer I would not touch them but look elsewhere.

Maybe - but they aren't really much worse than any other EA.

My daughter has a friend who's Dad is an EA and he didn't pass on offers on a place as he wanted it for his mother. it's rife, that's why everyone hates them.

We nearly got talked into paying well over asking on a property, as it happens we would have made a profit but the tactics were too high pressure for us.

[Guest muttley]

Wouldn't the programme make you more likely to give your property to Foxtons to sell? it's pretty clear that they are organised as a highly motivated sales team which is what you want i someone is selling something? isn't it?

The EAs were clearly leaning on vendors and buyers alike, so no it wouldn't make me more likely to use Foxtons.

I find it strange how the general public expect higher standards from sales people in the finance industry than in other walks of life.

Everybody knows that when you buy a second hand car, or double-glazing that the rep is going to try and get as much money out of you as possible. Therefore, we are on guard with respect to extravagant claims and we assume the asking price is negotiable.

EAs are no different to other sales people.What struck me was the sheer arrogance of them. I hope that future buyers and sellers are more wary now.The programme did a good job.

[Wuluf]

UK-plc specialises in BS.. It is that way in practically every service industry.. Big Deal

[karen1000]

I have to agreed. "Is that is?" was my main thought on watching this fun hidden camera show. What next week? Doctors receptionists and their Mafia type control on the nation's health?

If I was selling in London right now, I'd go to Foxtons. They are likely to be the best agent in the city at the moment!

I loved the bit where some prat sent an SMS to the undercover journo. Doh! Don't you just need colleagues like that!

[Guest DisposableHeroes]

Yep no probs, there cars are cool. Still doesn't change the fact they are CORRUPT though.

White collar crime, the worst.

[dogbox]

E/As can be a shabbly lot, but on the other hand I find this true of all walks of life.

Take even the great Beeb themselves; They hype up digital TV and use respected presenters in ad to convince us all its an easy switch and costs nothing to do. What total lies. I along with freinds switched and for most of us it was very involved and expensive. I ended up changing all connectors, aerial, wires and so on, yet the Beeb help - line tell me my area is fully covered by signal.

I find Doctors lie, evade, take the lazy option and generally only do the minimum required (dont tell the next shift the full story etc as they cant be bothered whcih leads to easily avoidable errors).

Banks and insurers are giant money extraction machines where the odds are wieghted deliberately against the unsuspecting. Zurch life have refused a death claim from freinds husband being killed on his motorcycle - apparently deep in the small print road deaths are excluded.

Teachers I know who strain under the weight of regulation and burecracy, cut all kinds of corners - its the only way they get thier huge work burdone done.

Local building / signage inspectors turn a blind eye in order to keep thier work - load manageable.

Social workers cut corners with disastourous consequences.

Policemen I went skiiing with drank and drove.

Code writers I know cut corners so bugs arrise and they get more revenue to come and fix, when they more or less knew the bugs in advance.

People in my experience are far more dishonest than they let on.

Edited March 22, 2006 by dogbox

[Guest Charlie The Tramp]

I find it more interesting when you replay it. You don`t realise that you missed little points not noticed when viewed the first time.

[Marina]

Foxtons genuinely have every right to be annoyed that the lines between themselves and the deal/sting/pathetic inducement/never happened were so blurred. The developer could have been a trained actor for all we know, probably was. To then use that evidence and attempt to drag and drop Foxtons into it was a bit naughty IMHO. Now I had one eye on other stuff as I watched but I can`t recall that much that Foxtons really did wrong. It strikes me that she set out to nail Foxtons and failed as there wasn`t that much she could pin on them, instead she then cobbled together something else.

Maybe you should have had both eyes on it. It was clear that their whole attitude was 'an instruction at any price AND a sale at ANY Price' - the interests of the vendor were nowhere to be seen. It was about targets and getting sales come what may.

I do not believe that anyone who saw that would instruct Foxtons to sell their property for them.

Wouldn't the programme make you more likely to give your property to Foxtons to sell? it's pretty clear that they are organised as a highly motivated sales team which is what you want i someone is selling something? isn't it?

That is not how I read it. I saw them willing to tell you anything you wanted to hear to get your instruction - and then do everything in their power to price condition you to accept a lower price. I wouldn't give Foxtons a property to sell if they were the only agent in London.

I certainly would never view a property they had for sale - knowing they got the instruction by going 50k above everyone else.

They are a plague that has infected the market. Everyone in the agency business knows what they are like. If you can't beat them join them? Bah!

[Converted Lurker]

For me there were two entirely different threads running in that programme last night. If she had taken Foxtons and looked upon them in isolation she would not have had a story, it was that weak. She deliberately cobbled two totally seperate stories together to get the Wow factor. I`m staggered and shocked that the BBC have left themselves this wide open in fact. Even more staggered if she has a future in her chosen field.

She obviously believed that the story, having apparently been approached by the developer, needed a bit of "photo shop" by roping in a big name. "I know" she thinks whilst sipping cheap wolf blass looking out of her 4th floor flat window in Notting Hill "let`s try to do a number on Foxtons".

I`d put money on the fact she had previous with Foxtons...

For the record if I had a place to sell in Notting Hill I`d be down at Foxtons right now, having a bit of a laugh with them, asking them who reached target last month, taking them out to lunch and giving them an extra grand or two to shift my gaff ahead of everyone elses, they impressed me that much

[beenhearingthisforyears]

For me there were two entirely different threads running in that programme last night. If she had taken Foxtons and looked upon them in isolation she would not have had a story, it was that weak. She deliberately cobbled two totally seperate stories together to get the Wow factor. I`m staggered and shocked that the BBC have left themselves this wide open in fact. Even more staggered if she has a future in her chosen field.

She obviously believed that the story, having apparently been approached by the developer, needed a bit of "photo shop" by roping in a big name. "I know" she thinks whilst sipping cheap wolf blass looking out of her 4th floor flat window in Notting Hill "let`s try to do a number on Foxtons".

I`d put money on the fact she had previous with Foxtons...

For the record if I had a place to sell in Notting Hill I`d be down at Foxtons right now, having a bit of a laugh with them, asking them who reached target last month, taking them out to lunch and giving them an extra grand or two to shift my gaff ahead of everyone elses, they impressed me that much

Most people are chatting about the old guy who got ripped off and how easy it is to get a good fake passport. Great for money laundering etc. IMO All it will do is increase fraud/crime etc. More amateur "developers" will now be trying to bung their local EA's few £k to get a BMV. And young EA's will just have seen how easy it is to earn £10k.

[Cuckoo]

I work in the property industry (not an EA) and can say from experience of them that Foxtons do overprice. But they really sell houses, they always ensure that houses are presented in the best condition for sale even if it means telling the owners to move furniture out of the house to reduce clutter and to make it seem bigger, make owners buy new art, colour schemes etc on the house etc before taking it on as worthy of being a marketed as a "foxtons house" etc . it happens all the time .

Then it attracts a premium to buyers who have been drawn in by the superficial appearance of what the reality of living in a broom cupboard costing £250k in West London actually means to your quality of life when you're in your mid 30s but still just starting on the housing "ladder" (i hate that word). You've been sold a lifestyle but really what you have in your sweaty mits is a very small flat that you can't even have a few friends around to comfortably, have a half decent party in, or sell so easily.

For FTB;s looking at Foxtons houses is a complete waste of time and money. For sellers , less so although of course both are connected and need each other . I'd kindly suggest Foxtons get in the way of a happy life!

[dogbox]

I certainly would never view a property they had for sale - knowing they got the instruction by going 50k above everyone else.

In my town there is 1 E/A that gives totally realistic valuations, but Ive heard people say they wont have him round because he values too low.

Most vendors are gready. One day you might well find yourself wanting to test the market with a high (you will think 'fair') valuation when you come to sell.

Most of us are hippocrites and deluded. Its like when you hear people claim they never break the speed limit, but if you observe any road for a few minutes you soon realise we are all deluded.

Just about all sellers are greedy and self - serving in the real world.

Edited March 22, 2006 by dogbox

[beenhearingthisforyears]

In my town there is 1 E/A that gives totally realistic valuations, but Ive heard people say they wont have him round because he values too low.

Most vendors are gready. One day you might well find yourself wanting to test the market with a high (you will think 'fair') valuation when you come to sell.

Most of us are hippocrites and deluded. Its like when you hear people claim they never break the speed limit, but if you observe any road for a few minutes you soon realise we are all deluded.

Just about all sellers are greedy and self - serving in the real world.

think you could honestly change that to "Just about all people are greedy and self-serving in the real world"

[Cuckoo]

Most vendors are gready. One day you might well find yourself wanting to test the market with a high (you will think 'fair') valuation when you come to sell.

Most of us are hippocrites and deluded.

Sad but true. I bought my gaff in London at the end of last year and can't help wondering if its already gone up 10k as the stats published would suggest. I know they're rubbish and i'm not selling but yes you will want as high a price as possible for your place when you sell its only natural.

However a lot of this i think is due to most people being up to their eyeballs in debt at the moment with huge mortgages. if people were geared a bit lower the pressure to squeeze the last penny out of their home would be a lot less than it is.

I also think the total naked greed and lack of scruples is a London thing ( ok ok i wait for ctritisism now, i know it happens elsewhere) but as it is in housing it is in all sorts of other areas of life here. Observe the desperation and sometimes fraudulent lengths people wll go to to get their kid into a (half)good school here, or the behaviour of commuters when someone accidentally trips and falls on a busy station platform at rush hour (much tutting at the unfortunate vivtim and people stepping over them - i observed this a couple of years ago here).

If we could solve the problem of the anonymity of London which allows everyone to believe they can shaft everyone else in all areas of life, thinking someone else will be the victim of their actions & failing to see all their negative and selfishly motivated actions towards others will ultimately affect their own lives - then we would be on the route to a better world. Rambling rant over!