Beresford Adams markets itself as being a local chain which knows its market well and can offer a good personalised service. That sounded good to us, so we made an appointment for someone to come and value our property. Then, on the day, we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, half an hour after the appointed time, we phoned. No-one could understand why the agent hadn't called, and another appointment was made for the same agent for the following day. We explained that he'd have to be on time, since we had an appointment to view a property.
The following day, at the appointed time, there was still no show. We called the office, and someone called the agent. He's on his way, we were told. Half an hour late, and twenty minutes before our appointment - which was ten minutes' drive away - the agent appeared on the doorstep. He didn't even apologise for his late arrival. When we mentioned the previous day's no-show, he began a rant about his office staff having arranged it on his day off and it not being his fault.
He *then* informed us that he was the branch manager! Clearly this company does not encourage its managers to take responsibility for what goes on in their own branches. He didn't even have the courtesy not to criticise his staff to clients, to say nothing of the good sense to realise that we didn't want to hear it. He then claimed that he could value and measure up the house in five minutes flat.
Naturally, we did not sign a contract with Beresford Adams.
While this manager's behaviour might not be typical, I have found that staff in other branches have a tendency to be very pushy. Now, maybe they think that's the way to sell houses. But this went further than the (normal) phone call the day after a viewing to ask whether we liked the house. This was tantamount to bullying in an attempt to get us to make an offer. And this was from young men, of about 22 at most. It didn't seem that these guys had had very much training at all in customer service and sensitivity.
With estate agents it's very hard to find a good one who will actually do the job they're paid to do. However, this one is a chain best avoided.
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