Bad dealings with Foxtons (Foxtons)

Member Name: kateb

Product:	Foxtons
Date:	31/07/02 (2046 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comprehensive website

Disadvantages: high turnover of staff, unhelpful, unaccountable

Foxtons may have a flashy website but in actual practise their dealings with customers leaves, in my experience, a lot to be desired.

A big pointer is that they are not members of the NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents)or of ARLA (Association of REsidential Lettings Agencies). Both of these organisations have codes of conduct which mean that Agencies acting in an unprofessional manner are sanctioned. As Foxtons have not signed up to either of these schemes, one wonders why. Can they not keep to a code of conduct? What do they have to lose by joining?

The turnover of staff at Foxtons is also very high. This implies that working conditions are far from ideal. This is also frustrating for potential homeowners, who have to re-register their details again and again when their agent leaves. In my case, I had to tell the agent which of his flats I'd been round, as he had no record of me or my viewings. I had to ring him every Monday to cajole him into sending me details, which often turned out to be details of flats I'd already seen. Needless to say, I took great pleasure in buying my flat from rival's Marsh & Parsons, who had a joint agency instruction on the property.

In central London it is common practise for estate agencies to offer 1/2% commission to other agencies, as it leads to greater exposure for the property. Foxtons do not offer this on any of their properties. This practise can only be of benefit for the property vendor but Foxtons refuse to do it. Knight Frank, savills etc all do this, but Foxtons don't. Are they just too greedy for their own good?

Use their website, but if the property is jointly instructed with another agency, I suggest you might get a more professional service from rivals.

Summary: