Bridgfords

Advantages: Quick, Convenient, Good market coverage
Disadvantages: Very expensive, exaggerate far too much, and completely inflexible

I've recently used Bridgfords to sell my property. I had Bridgfords and another smaller agent come round to look at the property, value it and give me their sales pitches ... I'll tell you about the smaller agent at the end - it's the punchline! I telephoned Bridgfords three times to get an appiontment - first time constantly engaed (I was trying for about 15 minutes); second time told to call back when somebody would be available; third time lucky! ...
...already knew about the way Bridgfords market, but to be fair a lot of people don't - Internet sites (Rightmove.co.uk); two-weekly newspaper (which is very good); local press adverts (as they all do); people randomly walking in (erm, yeah?); cross marketing with their other branches (excellent and something a lot of smaller outfits can't do). All in all, they do market the properties very well, and I needed a very quick sale so that was great for ... Read review

Advantages: Great advertising coverage, benefits of a large nationwide parent company, good fortnightly newsletter
Disadvantages: Very expensive fees, pushy sales negotiatiors, more interested in selling you financial products

...I have had experience with Bridgfords from the perspective of both buyer and seller. If you're planning to sell your property, then I hope my opinion on Bridgfords will give some useful pro's and con's when choosing an estate agent. If you're buying then obviously you don't have any choice in who is marketing the home that you plan to buy, but this op still contains some important tips on what the buyer should look out for when dealing with Bridgfords. ...
...experiences relate to only three Bridgfords branches, so there will obviously be variations in the way each individual branch does business, but nevertheless I have a learned knowledge of Bridgfords' overall company policies, pricing, and position in the marketplace. ---SELLING THROUGH BRIDGFORDS--- I had already decided to sell my house earlier this year, when I started receiving letters from my local branch of Bridgfords addressed to "The Occupier". ... Read review

Advantages: None whatsoever
Disadvantages: Painfully slow, terrible communication

...I am in the process of selling my house through Bridgfords Countrywide. We are due to move into a vacant property. Our buyer is a first time buyer. Probably one of the shortest chains going. On making the offer our buyer was encouraged by Bridgfords to go with Countrywide Property Lawyers, as they were quick and efficient . They lied. Twice. Firstly, the work was outsourtced to Fennemores, a firm 150 miles away. Secondly, they were neither quick nor efficient. They have held up our sale 5 weeks now. They cannot explain why they havent been able to exchange. If you are selling through Bridgfords, first of all think again. My branch in Disley suffered high staff turnover and seemed unable to pick up the phone. Secondly demand that they dont sell your property to your buyer using Countrywide Property Lawyers.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: nothing
Disadvantages: they exsist

...Countrywide Property Lawyers Well what can I say, WHAT A BLOODY NIGHTMARE! Would probably sum them up, Countrywide property lawyers or CPL are a Manchester based panel of Lawyers, whom I had the misfortune of dealing with, whilst buying and selling property through Bridgfords estate agents, they came highly recommended by them. It was some time later I realised the connection of their name Bridgfords Countrywide, bit of a link there I think. After setting the wheels in motion, pretty soon the fun began, for the first week it was a mad dash, they kept phoning and writing, they wanted this that and the other as quickly as possible, I was impressed, it seemed as though this was going to be a quick turn around, how wrong was I. 6 months and a week later, we finally got, to sign contracts, It has been a total nightmare all the way... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Unsure
Disadvantages: Cost, hard to contact, act against instructions

...In selling our house, we contracted with Bridgfords, who in our best knowledge are connected directly with Countrywide Property Lawyers. We were advised that this was the best firm to deal with, and as well that their costs were in line with other lawyers. After reading reviews and knowing that CPL are currently being sued (details unknown to us) we decided that this might not be best to use them. Despite saying 'no' to CPL, we received a statement thanking us for personally instructing them to be our lawyers for this sale: something we did not do. Clearly whatever remediation they have been undergoing since being sued is not working. The main point of this review is not to be comprehensive in detailing their service, but to reveal some differences (overcharges) between them and our local lawyers that we have dealt... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful