CONNED BY CONNELLS (Estate Agents in general)

Member Name: DavidH

Product:	Estate Agents in general
Date:	01/10/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: GOOD AT MISLAYING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS & CARRYING OUT INCORRECT SURVEYS

Disadvantages: NOT ENOUGH SPACE

In August 2008 I had mortgage advice from Connells of St. Neots (CAMBS). However no record of this was available. I then viewed a repossessed property on sale with them and November I placed an offer on this property which was accepted, after again seeing one of their Financial Advisors. I provided wage slips and bank statements as requested which ended up being lost on two occasions but was informed these were later found in their offices. (After complaining about this they simply blamed the mortgage company.)

The survey carried out by them claimed the property had a garage and parking space which only became apparent to me when I received my mortgage offer. My solicitor was unable to confirm with the surveyor if there was a garage or not as Connells claimed he was uncontactable as he didn't have a mobile (yeah right) which delayed the process by several days.

ALMOST THREE MONTHS HAD NOW PASSED and because of the time scale I was also told that Connells had to again publish an announcement in the papers but was assured that it would not be published in the local papers but papers some distance away yet guess what it was in the local papers. Then on the week I was finally due to exchange contracts I received a call from Connells to advise me that a higher offer was to be accepted and that unless I up my offer I would "loose everything I had already spent" (solicitors fees, survey fee, HIPS etc).

I made three increases two of which were declined but the third accepted (£4500 increase). (This is only a brief description of what really happened) I have since complained to Connells which may I add was a complete waste of time as all they seem to do is "pass the buck," However I was offered a "Goodwill gesture" of £199 which I declined as I thought this was an insult as their delays cost me almost 23 times that. I have since taken this matter to both the Property and Financial Ombudsman and have now written to their Survey and valuation dept who are apparently a separate company whose correspondence address is the same one which I have already sent all the complaints letters to!!! Even my solicitor has said that the property could have sold a week earlier and therefore the increase would not have occurred. From start to finish this has been a nightmare, although I am pleased that I did get the property eventually.

I do not agree with the way I, as a first time buyer, have been treated, the way my personal details were lost and yet Connells have failed to provide any true full answers to any issues I have put to them except blame all other parties even though I was told by them this was not the case.

I would not recommend using Connells for anything unless you like being lied to, conned and fobbed off.

How they can get away with treating people like I was is a disgrace and
I wonder how many more cases of a similar situation have occurred.

USE CONNELLS - DON'T BOTHER GO ELSWHERE.

Summary: GO ELSEWHERE