Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
My flat fraudulently advertised by Kings Estate Agents!
When browsing RightMove and Zoopla this weekend, I was shocked discover my own flat - which is not for sale - being advertised by Kings Estate Agents!
Has anyone else had a similar experience? If you've recently bought, you might want to check!
It had been first advertised a couple of weeks ago and then they 'reduced the asking price' just last week. At the time I bought the flat, last October, it was advertised by several estate agents, including Kings - so they have simply reused the photographs and description (but nearly doubled the asking price!). When I contacted them to ask for a viewing they told me it had just been sold. I can only assume that Kings (and perhaps other estate agents) are doing this systematically to increase traffic to their websites and shops.
This practice is completely dishonest and harmful both to those whose properties are being advertised (in my case, my flat now looks like it has been on the market for some time and had the price reduced, which will not be helpful when I do come to sell) and to those trying to buy, who are being given false information about both the availability and price of properties.
I believe this is illegal and am considering reporting them both to their ombudsman and the regulator. I'm interested to hear if anyone knows about this practice or has had a similar experience - with Kings or anyone else.
Thanks,
Elin
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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We had something similar after we moved in here a long time back. I walked past Paul Simon (who acted for the seller) months after we moved in and saw out house in the window. For Sale! I pointed this out and it was still there a week ago, marked as Recently Sold. An improvement.
I figured it was not big deal and they were trying to fill their window (as they probably did not have enough properties to market).
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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"No big deal" to have fake or artificial information used to boost someone selling a product?
Weren't they pretending your house was still in their 'For Sale' list? And then that it was recently sold when it wasn't? Isn't this manipulation? Inducing someone to buy services using misrepresentation of the real position and resources of the seller?
It reminds me of all sorts of practices where other people are used - sometimes knowingly, sometimes not - as the equivalent of theatres which "paper the house". Or resembling other techniques like commercial astroturfing. Which can easily slide into its political equivalent. ____________________
"I have no hesitation in recommending this business." - Isa Rapper, Ruritania
"Amazing service; wonderful people!" - Talla Hatchiebridge, Mississippi
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Fair point Alan, and as one who is wont to get het up about any number of things, I figured at the time I was not really going to achieve a great deal short of camping out on their door step (Falun Gong style outside the Chinese embassy)...
I would have been more upset had they given me the flip off I guess, but it was a decade ago.
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Permalink Reply by snoot on
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I would and have done in the past, Kings are a shower of cowboys from what I have dealt with. Recently I put an offer on a place with them and said they would not accept/entertain it or send on to the vendor (our offer was the highest). The reason, we did not go with their in-house broker who could get us a mortgage that was £290 more expensive per month as we already had a broker and mortgage approval. So not happy with taking commissions on sales and fees then try rip off the other party through an internal broker who will ransom you the buyer to over inflated mortgage fees.
Essentially meaning that if you want to purchase this place then YOU HAVE TO go internal to our broker, then we will pass on to vendor.
I thought this was against the law so reported them to http://www.nfopp-regulation.co.uk/ & http://www.naea.co.uk/
And incase you want to read further
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/mortga...
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Permalink Reply by Finsbury Park Ranger on
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A few estate agents signs with a mock up poster saying ...
'kings estate agents are cowboys - leave well alone'
....occupying random places for a while couldn't be good for business. ...
I even know a website where loads of local people hang out who probably have front gardens.
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