Topic ID 4550
Has anyone else experienced their service recently? We have been approached by them as our property is advertised with a rival agent. They say they have prospective tenants who then never materialise!
Reply ID 65251
We have had dealings with Jack for residential sales not lettings & he has been very good & proactive.
Reply ID 65280
I also speak to Jack there and he seems really helpful.
Reply ID 65318
Kings. This will be the Kings that put 4 different boards up on a wall by the A414 by my road overnight just after they opened their office in town. I think it was one each of sold, fore sale, let by and to let. So I phoned up to enquire as to what was for sale or let. "We'll need to check the database" was the answer. Database? in that weeks Mercury they only had a handful of properties. Basically they were using the wall and their signs as free advertising. So I emailed their director pointing out that they were breaking the law by putting these signs up as well as annoying the residents of the road in question, and got a rather arrogant reply saying how the Hertford estate agents didn't know what was about to hit them and they would show Hertford estate agents a thing or two. Nasty wide boy approach. Wouldn't touch them.
Reply ID 65321
Their telephone manner, IMO, sucks.
Reply ID 65323
Invading North Londoners. Avoid at all cost.
Reply ID 65325
Thanks for opinions - can't say that I disagree - not pleasant to deal with so far! Noticed a load of boards have gone up by entrance to Bluecoats Avenue again - Kings, Anthony Davis and Shepherds so far - what exactly is for sale there?! Thought it was all retirement or commercial stuff
Reply ID 65332
quote:Yep............and Kings appear to be selling or letting every property behind the Merchant House restaurant. Another sign-fest.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Thanks for opinions - can't say that I disagree - not pleasant to deal with so far! Noticed a load of boards have gone up by entrance to Bluecoats Avenue again - Kings, Anthony Davis and Shepherds so far - what exactly is for sale there?! Thought it was all retirement or commercial stuff
Reply ID 65781
Kings have been known to doorstep properties that have recently been let through another agent in a bid to get details of the landlord with the sole purpose of under cutting the existing agent.....fact!
Reply ID 65811
Recently heard a hilarious story from a landlord friend that he had a knock on the door from a bloke from Kings who said he had a guy in the car who really wanted to rent his house. So he showed them around and then heard nothing more. Two days later Kings called and asked if they could advertise his house for rental. It then transpires that the man in the car was actually another Kings employee - what a scam [}:)]
Reply ID 65813
Desperate times I guess and things are quiet. I keep seeing boards go up and my friend tore one down, they haven't planned to sell their home, hadn't and don't plan to let it and wasnt' going to let them have free publicity and ripped out their signage and dumped it!
Reply ID 65831
As an estate agent myself I can say that it is a regular occurrence for agents to approach vendors of properties that have been on the market for a period of time with another agent/s as they feel they can suggest a 'fresh approach' to marketing the property in hopes of gaining a new instruction/sale. I had a rival agent turn up on the door step of an elderly vendor of mine at 18:00 just this week, he even knew her name which made her doubt us as she thought we where giving out her details! In the current market properties are selling like hot cakes but instructions are still slow as vendor confidence is still shaky. I am not saying that my agency does not approach vendors in similar situations but only ever with a generic letter or leaflet. I do not agree with cold calling as I feel it is pushy and intrusive and we have a hard enough time building up a good reputation as it is.
Reply ID 65836
quote:And I wonder what response you would get if you emailed Kings' directors about this. Would it be the same as I got, that they are showing these Hertford estate agents a thing or two? Nice tactics, Kings..........
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Recently heard a hilarious story from a landlord friend that he had a knock on the door from a bloke from Kings who said he had a guy in the car who really wanted to rent his house. So he showed them around and then heard nothing more. Two days later Kings called and asked if they could advertise his house for rental. It then transpires that the man in the car was actually another Kings employee - what a scam [}:)]
Reply ID 65838
Looking at the web site they have just 21 rental properties on the books at the Hertford office. No properties for sale and the 3 houses in the 'home of the month' banner have all been 'removed from the database' when you click on the links. Showing the local Hertford agents a thing or two indeed....
Reply ID 65862
A kind Landlord told us about the posts which have recently appeared on this forum. As a senior employee of Kings I am quite offended and outraged by some of the accusations and potentially libelous statements. Kings of Hertford are members of the following self-regulatory boards ARLA, OEA are adhere to and promote a stict code of Conduct and best practice in the industry. Our staff have combined over thirty years experience in the industry individually running very productive and respected offices in their own right. We opened the office in one of toughest markets in recent decades and are comfortably seeing ourself through a second year. If their are any serious complaints we have a complaints procedure which can be accessed through our website http://www.kings-group.net. However in respect to some of the libelous accusations please find my responses below. 1) We have sold four properties behind the Merchant Restaurant and Let Four 2) We have sold two properties in bluecoates and have rented out one 3) None of our agents have pretended to be an applicant viewing a property in response to a post by KittyKat and would appear to me that she may be one of our competitors. Why has there not been a complaint? Surely that must be because it is fictitous? 4) we have the most available lettings properties currently on the market (Check Rightmove!) 5)The proprietor works from the hertford office and is available personally if you would like to respond and has never made any comments of "showing the other Hertford agents" 6) in response to "we only have 21 properties" have a look on any of the property portals and I think you will find that this is more than anyone else. If we werent providing a professional service to the people of Hertford we would not still be open.
Reply ID 65864
quote:Having re-read this topic several times I am struggling to identify the posts you consider may be libelous? It is true that people have commented here both favourably and unfavourably about the telephone manner and response received from Kings, which suggests some inconsistency in your customer service that you may wish to tackle. There have been posts observing the placing of your agency boards. How do these offend? There are posts referring to what appear to be errors on your website. I would treat this a free consultancy, thank Leo for taking the time to visit you online and quickly correct your mistake. Additionally, there has been comment on some business practices, which another estate agency employee has confirmed do exist in your industry. Kitty Kat (who adequately explains her position in her first post in this topic) has informed us of hearsay, which she found amusing. In your opinion, the lack of using King's complaints procedure to report this means that this doesn't exist. Ostriches with heads in the sand spring to mind. Is it that you find criticism hard to accept or perhaps you can put our minds at ease by enlightening us on your ethics?
Originally posted by Athena
. . . As a senior employee of Kings I am quite offended and outraged by some of the accusations and potentially libelous statements. . . .
Reply ID 65865
quote:Athena. I can understand your frustration as this forum, like others, does allow people to give recommendation or defamation where complete facts are not demonstrated but those posts can't be quantified as libelous. Personally, I have never used your Agency yet would consider Kings if the situation arose where I needed to sell or rent. I think a lot of the hostility that arises within these posts comes from a natural jealousy and hatred of estate agents in general as you had it so good for so long. Underhand tactics are part of your business, we'd all be blue with rage if you didn't accept that as a fact so please understand that you are probably all being tarred with the same brush in most quarters. I for one wish you a great deal of success in the future. [:p]
Originally posted by Athena
A kind Landlord told us about the posts which have recently appeared on this forum. As a senior employee of Kings I am quite offended and outraged by some of the accusations and potentially libelous statements. Kings of Hertford are members of the following self-regulatory boards ARLA, OEA are adhere to and promote a stict code of Conduct and best practice in the industry. Our staff have combined over thirty years experience in the industry individually running very productive and respected offices in their own right. We opened the office in one of toughest markets in recent decades and are comfortably seeing ourself through a second year. If their are any serious complaints we have a complaints procedure which can be accessed through our website http://www.kings-group.net. However in respect to some of the libelous accusations please find my responses below. 1) We have sold four properties behind the Merchant Restaurant and Let Four 2) We have sold two properties in bluecoates and have rented out one 3) None of our agents have pretended to be an applicant viewing a property in response to a post by KittyKat and would appear to me that she may be one of our competitors. Why has there not been a complaint? Surely that must be because it is fictitous? 4) we have the most available lettings properties currently on the market (Check Rightmove!) 5)The proprietor works from the hertford office and is available personally if you would like to respond and has never made any comments of "showing the other Hertford agents" 6) in response to "we only have 21 properties" have a look on any of the property portals and I think you will find that this is more than anyone else. If we werent providing a professional service to the people of Hertford we would not still be open.
Reply ID 65866
quote:Now who's being libellous?[:D]
3) None of our agents have pretended to be an applicant viewing a property in response to a post by KittyKat and would appear to me that she may be one of our competitors. Why has there not been a complaint? Surely that must be because it is fictitous?
Reply ID 65867
Thank you all for your comments, Which are all taken on board. Gentleman on previous thread, nice to see an impartial opnion on the general public view. I suppose you cannot keep all of the people happy all of the time! cheers
Reply ID 65870
quote:On their website they are 'proud to be associated' with Buckhurst Hill - Everyone from there is a wideboy !!!![;)][;)][;)]
Originally posted by Woodyquote:Having re-read this topic several times I am struggling to identify the posts you consider may be libelous? It is true that people have commented here both favourably and unfavourably about the telephone manner and response received from Kings, which suggests some inconsistency in your customer service that you may wish to tackle. There have been posts observing the placing of your agency boards. How do these offend? There are posts referring to what appear to be errors on your website. I would treat this a free consultancy, thank Leo for taking the time to visit you online and quickly correct your mistake. Additionally, there has been comment on some business practices, which another estate agency employee has confirmed do exist in your industry. Kitty Kat (who adequately explains her position in her first post in this topic) has informed us of hearsay, which she found amusing. In your opinion, the lack of using King's complaints procedure to report this means that this doesn't exist. Ostriches with heads in the sand spring to mind. Is it that you find criticism hard to accept or perhaps you can put our minds at ease by enlightening us on your ethics?
Originally posted by Athena
. . . As a senior employee of Kings I am quite offended and outraged by some of the accusations and potentially libelous statements. . . .
Reply ID 65891
Sorry for any offence caused - merely wanted to know if anyone else had experienced any funny incidences involving your company. The story relayed was just that - I never claimed it to be true. I am not a competitor - I am a landlord
Reply ID 66208
quote:Athena......when Kings opened in Hertford they put four signs up overnight on a single wall by Riversmeet and next top the A414. I checked the Kings ad in the Mercury and there were just a handful of properties available and none on Riversmeet. So I phoned the Hertford office and enquired after a property on Riversmeet. I asked what type of property was available as there are flats and houses. I was told they would have to check on their database. but they only had a few properties so why the need to check on the database? Surprise, surprise they never phoned back as promised. I checked up on the regulations covering the posting of boards by estate and letting agents and emailed Kings directors. I will trawl through my old emails if you like but I assure you I was told that Kings would "show the other Hertford agents" or somethiong very similar. My email to the directors pointed out that Kings were getting a bad reputation by sticking signs up everywhere. All I wanted was for them to be removed. Yet I got a response that was tantamount to "up yours". I was quite offended. It was another employee of Kings who subsequently emailed me a more polite response and since then that wall has not been used by Kings in the same manner again.
Originally posted by Athena
A kind Landlord told us about the posts which have recently appeared on this forum. As a senior employee of Kings I am quite offended and outraged by some of the accusations and potentially libelous statements. Kings of Hertford are members of the following self-regulatory boards ARLA, OEA are adhere to and promote a stict code of Conduct and best practice in the industry. Our staff have combined over thirty years experience in the industry individually running very productive and respected offices in their own right. We opened the office in one of toughest markets in recent decades and are comfortably seeing ourself through a second year. If their are any serious complaints we have a complaints procedure which can be accessed through our website http://www.kings-group.net. However in respect to some of the libelous accusations please find my responses below. 1) We have sold four properties behind the Merchant Restaurant and Let Four 2) We have sold two properties in bluecoates and have rented out one 3) None of our agents have pretended to be an applicant viewing a property in response to a post by KittyKat and would appear to me that she may be one of our competitors. Why has there not been a complaint? Surely that must be because it is fictitous? 4) we have the most available lettings properties currently on the market (Check Rightmove!) 5)The proprietor works from the hertford office and is available personally if you would like to respond and has never made any comments of "showing the other Hertford agents" 6) in response to "we only have 21 properties" have a look on any of the property portals and I think you will find that this is more than anyone else. If we werent providing a professional service to the people of Hertford we would not still be open.
Reply ID 66210
I correct myself........overnight on the wall by Riversmeet at the end of September 2007 there appeared three boards for Kings. There was 1 to let, 1 for sale and 1 already sold. In the same period further signs went up on the bridge at the bottom of Port Hill, either side of the road as you enter Sele Farm and, if I can quote another post on this forum "One on Welwyn Road (B1000) near to the Pelican Cross, one at Calton Court and another on the corner of Windsor Drive and Tudor Way".
Reply ID 66211
If the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 is still in force then the situation is very clear on this matter: (a) Not more than one such advertisement, consisting of a single board or two joined boards, is permitted. (b) Where more than one such advertisement is displayed, the first to be displayed shall be taken to be the one permitted. (2) No advertisement may be displayed indicating that land or premises have been sold or let, other than by the addition to an existing advertisement of a statement that a sale or letting has been agreed, or that the land or premises have been sold or let, subject to contract. (3) Any such advertisement shall be removed within 14 days after the sale is completed or a tenancy is granted. Further to this, additional boards are not permitted when a sale has been achieved. They are only permitted to cover the words 'For Sale' with 'Sold' or replace the original sign.
Reply ID 66528
I noticed yesterday that all the signs behind the Merchant House appear to have been removed.
Reply ID 75721
I just wondered if anyone had any experiences with Kings recently? We are thinking of using them to handle our house sale but want to make sure there have been no recent horror stories. They sold next door in less than 2 weeks, which is why we're tempted.
Reply ID 75724
quote:That's likely to be more about the house than the agent. Some Hertford properties go fast, some slow. I have not found any agent able to influence the speed of a sale, only the efficiency of and how pleasant contact is. Most are hampered by poor admin and expertise, compensated for by modern publishing technology. From offer to completion is where a negotiator really proves their worth, or not.
Originally posted by thefair1973
I just wondered if anyone had any experiences with Kings recently? We are thinking of using them to handle our house sale but want to make sure there have been no recent horror stories. They sold next door in less than 2 weeks, which is why we're tempted.