67% sales valuation accuracy
50% sales fee satisfaction
Nov 05,2012
Nov 05,2012
8
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I will never ever buy or sell a house using Douglas Allen again, after this experience.
We began looking a year before we eventually bought, but felt so pestered by Douglas Allen, and shown so many awful properties that were either shells of houses or out of our price range, that we gave up. However, we started looking again when our landlord decided to sell.
Firstly, Douglas Allen recommended the most inept solicitor to use, telling us they were the same the vendor was using, so it would expedite the sale. We later found out they got back handers for recommending clients. The solicitor was atrocious - Gepp and Sons. They didn't respond to communication, lied to us about when they received information, and were awful. They also had no experience of Warner flats. Do not use them.
Secondly, the offer was made on the condition the sale would go through by a certain date. This was all agreed, and we handed in our notice to our landlord. A couple of weeks before the moving date, we discovered the sellers couldn't possibly do that date and had known this for weeks. Andrew Bilby, the sale facilitator, was also aware of this, but hadn't thought to inform us. When I suggested both parties needed to compromise, he told me as I had no children I should be the flexible partner. He also told me he wanted to see my lease agreement with my landlord and the notice letter I had sent in, neither of which were his business - I felt as though I was being accused of lying about when we had to move out. We were threatened with legal action from the landlord for staying an additional month.
Every time we tried to resolve any issues with the sale, of which there were several, we had to go through Andrew Bilby. He is patronising, rude and displayed some of the worst customer service skills I have ever experienced.
We began looking a year before we eventually bought, but felt so pestered by Douglas Allen, and shown so many awful properties that were either shells of houses or out of our price range, that we gave up. However, we started looking again when our landlord decided to sell.
Firstly, Douglas Allen recommended the most inept solicitor to use, telling us they were the same the vendor was using, so it would expedite the sale. We later found out they got back handers for recommending clients. The solicitor was atrocious - Gepp and Sons. They didn't respond to communication, lied to us about when they received information, and were awful. They also had no experience of Warner flats. Do not use them.
Secondly, the offer was made on the condition the sale would go through by a certain date. This was all agreed, and we handed in our notice to our landlord. A couple of weeks before the moving date, we discovered the sellers couldn't possibly do that date and had known this for weeks. Andrew Bilby, the sale facilitator, was also aware of this, but hadn't thought to inform us. When I suggested both parties needed to compromise, he told me as I had no children I should be the flexible partner. He also told me he wanted to see my lease agreement with my landlord and the notice letter I had sent in, neither of which were his business - I felt as though I was being accused of lying about when we had to move out. We were threatened with legal action from the landlord for staying an additional month.
Every time we tried to resolve any issues with the sale, of which there were several, we had to go through Andrew Bilby. He is patronising, rude and displayed some of the worst customer service skills I have ever experienced.
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Latest Reviews
5th Feb 2024
reviewed by 'Wendy Phillips'
29th Sep 2017
reviewed by 'Geetha'
28th Oct 2016
reviewed by 'anon'
Opening Hours
Address
Douglas Allen
1 Central Parade, Hoe Street
Walthamstow,London
Greater London
E17 4RT
0208 509 0092
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 67% | 50% | £455,000 | £455,000 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Feb 05,2024
Feb 05,2024
0
people found
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Natasha Tomlins was amazing she helped me through the whole process and was always contactable....
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Jul 07,2022
Jul 07,2022
0
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I found Tai at the Walthamstow branch both helpful and professional. Super easy to book viewings, good communication throughout. All my questions answered quickly....
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Jun 29,2021
Jun 29,2021
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
As a buyer looking for a property in walthamstow, Douglas Allen walthamstow have left a terrible impression. The branch manager, Maria is rude and completely undermines buyers whenever we have shared an opinion on a property. Whatever you do, don't comment on price either - ...
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Sep 29,2017
Sep 29,2017
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I chose Walthamstow branch to put my property on the market and what I was not made aware of is if I withdraw that I would have to pay the floor plan and photos costs. I was only told that when it completes that I ...
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Oct 28,2016
Oct 28,2016
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Avoid at all costs - Walthamstow is awash with Estate Agents, I made the mistake of going with Douglas Allen much to my regret and cost - both financial and emotional.
Their rates are ridiculously high ( I later found out ), they do the bare minimum ...
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Comment on agent fees
very high in market
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May 29,2014
May 29,2014
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
thought the whole thing was a shambles to be perfectly honest.
2 things...
1) i picked these because out of the 3 agents i had round, they told me they would only charge me £150 to sell my house.
What they didnt explain properly was that they charged my ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
explain things better, looking at it now. they cost me more money. What we should have done was agree a fee that was lower.Attached Filesnbsp;
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Jan 29,2014
Jan 29,2014
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The Walthamstow branch of Douglas Allen have left an awful impression in my mind. As a first time buyer I am unable (and unwilling) to participate in Sale by Tender properties, something that only this estate agent in the area is doing. This basically means ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
The agent could have either just done what I had asked and updated my profile preferences, or handled my query with a degree of courtesy, and not call me an idiot.Attached Filesnbsp;
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Jan 16,2014
Jan 16,2014
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The service from Douglas Allen was professional and friendly.
Both Nick and Andrew were great to deal with.
Nick ensured a quick sale and Andrew steered us successfully through to completion.
I have no hesitation recommending Douglas Allen....
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Dec 17,2013
Dec 17,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I liked the work process at Douglas Allen. We initially met the branch manager Rob Stiff face to face. Rob advised us on issues that may come up during the sale e.g. mortgage valuation. He recommended an open house but in advance he also ...
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Dec 06,2013
Dec 06,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I found nick crooks very very helpful, from my initial valuation meeting through to completion, he was completely on the ball with the process of the sale....
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Dec 07, 2013
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(1)
Dear Mark Holt,
Thank you for making comment regarding the service that you revieved from Nick Crooks at our Walthamstow branch!! He is a highly motivated member of our team who's love for the job shines through when dealing with our customers.
Thanks again Rob wade Group Partner. ...
Dec 02,2013
Dec 02,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We bought a house through Douglas Allen and it was handled by Andrew Bilby. We experienced some of the usual problems of house buying, such as the chain collapsing due to people above pulling out, and mortgage offers expiring. Andrew seemed to be the driving ...
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Dec 07, 2013
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Dear Matt Wilde,
Thanks for your comments regarding our after sales sevice that you recievd from Andrew Bilby!! Andrew has worked for us for many years now and his knowledge and skill helps our buyers and sellers achieve their dream move. When you have someone that you can trust and that wants the same result as you it can make what is a stressful time easier to handle.
Thank you again Rob wade Group Partner. ...
Nov 29,2013
Nov 29,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Nick has been absolutely BRILLIANT to deal with. I was really impressed with the way our property purchase was handled and found it very reassuring having Nick help us along the house buying journey. As well as providing sound advice and counsel when ever we ...
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Dec 07, 2013
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Dear Llyod Park,
Thank you for your positve comments regarding Nick Crooks at our Walthamstow branch, Nick has worked for us for 15 years now and its great to see that he is still so passionate and helpful towards our buyers/sellers to ensue they achieve their dream move.
Thanks again Rob Wade Group Partner. ...
Nov 28,2013
Nov 28,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I am really impressed and very happy with the way Rob conducted the sale of my house. He came to do the valuation of my house. Spent a great deal of time explaining marketing options and the costs. Very thorough and professional.
The selling of ...
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Nov 15,2013
Nov 15,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Douglas Allen successfully sold our flat, but the whole set-up was very underwhelming. They got a great deal of people through the door, but took very little interest in the specifics of the property (none were detailed on the web/info sheet). In conversation with ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Showed more interest in the property, both pre and post offer. Responded more promptly to concerns we had. Very often queries were not chased up, and when we asked again, we were often told, 'I'm sure it's fine'Attached Filesnbsp;
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Nov 23, 2013
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(1)
Dear Ben,
Thank you for your feedback Regarding your experiance with us, i'm sorry to hear that it was not the service you were expecting and I would happily speak to you regarding this? You can contact me via the branch if you wish to. On a positive note I'm glad that you were happy with Dmitri and Lucy and hope that your sale has now gone through.
Rob wade Group Partner ...
Oct 14,2013
Oct 14,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I bought my first flat through Douglas Allen this year and found Andrew and Rob to be helpful and informative. They were friendly and polite to deal with and, Andrew in particular was conscientious about keeping in touch during the exchange and completion process...
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Oct 19, 2013
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Dear,Nathaniel B
Thank you for your feedback about the great customer service that Rob and Andrew from our Walthamstow branch have given you. Chasing up the solicitors is a job that needs some skill and Andrew manages to do this full time for us!!! Think he should get a medal . Thanks again Rob wade Group Partner. ...
Sep 27,2013
Sep 27,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Maddie was great and helped us find the house of our dreams!
Best bit is that she wasn't pushy - and was really patient in takig us round house after house.
Really recommend!...
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Oct 12, 2013
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(1)
Dear KT,
Thank you for your kind comments regarding Maddy at our Walthamstow branch, I'm pleased to see that she really helped you in you hunt for a new home.
Thanks again
Rob Wade Group Partner ...
Sep 27,2013
Sep 27,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I first spoke to Robert who we found very charming and booked in to have our flat put on an open house with Douglas Allen. During that time we were mostly happy though on more than 3 occasions we were told that potential viewers were coming ...
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Sep 30, 2013
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(1)
Hello Ritche
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review of your experiance of using our Douglas Allen office in Walthamstow, sorry some of the open houses did not turn out great for you, they do normally work very well, but buyers showing up on appointmnets is a regulat issue we face.
I’m very glad that you thought my comuncation was excellant for you, been a sale progressor I am tasked to chassing the solictiors and clients making sure things are happening as they are expected to.
...
Sep 19,2013
Sep 19,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I bought my first flat through Douglas Allen this year and found Andrew and Rob to be helpful and informative. They were friendly and polite to deal with and, Andrew in particular was conscienscious about keeping in touch during the exchange and completion process...
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Sep 19, 2013
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Hello Nathaniel
Well done on your recent transaction with Douglas Allen in Walthamstow, we are very pleased you have made your dream move possible. Thank you so much for taking the time out to leave your thoughts and feelings on how we represented your property transaction. I’m pleased that myself and Rob and his team have been friendly and polite and keeping you up to date on what can be a drawn out and completed process.
All the very best for your future and we would be delighted to ...
Sep 11,2013
Sep 11,2013
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Seriously unimpressed. During our property search Douglas Allen have been by far the worst estate agent which we have had to deal with. They continuously contacted us about unsuitable properties. At times I have received up to 8 texts a day about properties which in no ...
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Aug 22,2013
Aug 22,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Unimpressed. Poor administration which has resulted in large number of irrelevant property alerts. On seeing the property that I wanted to view, the agent sent a junior member of staff instead attending herself. He was 25 minutes late, unapologetic and brought another buyer with him, who ...
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Jul 25,2013
Jul 25,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
My husband and I recently sold our house (34 Chatham Road) through Douglas Allen in Walthamstow and found the overall experience was as easy as it could be when you sell a property.
Rob Stiff (Branch Partner) was our main contact who was helpful and attentive ...
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Aug 16, 2013
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Hello Bina & Simon
Thank you for taking the time of expressing your thoughts and feelings of our Walthamstow office, with your recent transactions that we had helped you to manage and successfully get you moved.
Rob, Lucy, Dan and myself are all very grateful for your great comments you have made about the service you have received from the whole team, from selling your property and finding you the buyer at the right price and sorting out your finical arrangements with our Mortgage expert ...
Jul 01,2013
Jul 01,2013
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The property was marketed and sold very quicky. I also arranged my conveyancing through the agent, which I was
very happy with. Andrew's role as being the point of contact once we were in a 'chain' was very reassuring and he has always met my ...
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Jul 02, 2013
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Hello Jackie
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to leave your comments on your experience with Douglas Allen, Dimitri, Our conveyancing team and myself.
It is very pleasing to know that we have all meet your expectations and needs during your transition of selling your property and getting you through the minefield of the transaction VIA solicitors to exchange and completion.
May I wish you all the very best for the future and if you, or family or friends ever need our help pleas ...
Jun 20,2013
Jun 20,2013
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Douglas Allen provided a professional and efficent service that entirely met our needs and took a large part of the stress out of moving. Andrew Bilby in particular was tireless in his pursuit of a suitable completion date for a long chain where there were ...
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Jun 21, 2013
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Hello Rob
Thank you for your very kind comments of the service you had received from myself and Douglas Allen, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for your move and new beginning’s, if you will need our help again in the future we would look forward to dealing with you again.
Kind Regards ...
Jun 19,2013
Jun 19,2013
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Our house was marketed quickly and efficiently although there were some issues with communication regarding the status of offers. It seems strange that only Management are able to give out information on the phone and yet do not allocate responsibility to a deputy when they ...
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Jul 05, 2013
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Hello Sophie
I am pleased that my branch that I sale progress for marketed your property quickly and efficiently, and seamed to get the interest you required to be able to sell your property for you.
I am sorry that some communication was not up to your expectations while management was not around, also sorry about the board situation.
I am very pleased to see that the after sales service was excellent for you and that the chains was been chassed and you was keep posted on matters. May I wi ...
Mar 26,2013
Mar 26,2013
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Douglas Allen found us a suitable buyer quickly, and once the sale was agreed guided us through the bumpy ride of reaching exchange of contracts. I would like particularly to thank Andrew Bilby without his effort and knowlege the 'chain' would have fallen apart. I ...
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Mar 26, 2013
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Hello John
All the best for yourself, your Dad & Family and hope the move works out well for you all and will be nice that you’re Dad will be closer to the family. Thank you ever so much for your kind words on what my-self and Douglas Allen has achieved for you.
May I wish you a very smooth and good move and all the best for you all in the future?
Thanks
Andrew Bilby ...
Mar 01,2013
Mar 01,2013
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Our personal sales coordinator was Andrew Bilby who was excellent. We were first time buyers and he kept us informed often telling us what was happening before our solicitor did! He was always happy to answer and explain any questions we had in detail. We ...
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Mar 20, 2013
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Hello Annabelle
May I thank you for your very kind comments? I am glad you are happy with the service that I gave you on-behalf of Douglas Allen, we make sure that clients are updated all the time understanding what is going on.
I wish you all the happiness in your new property and in the future if yourself, friends or family need our help we will always be very happy to help you again.
Your Sincerely
Andrew Bilby ...
Feb 15,2013
Feb 15,2013
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
First, they found the property for me. Having showed us one place on spec, they anticipated what type of property we liked, in what location and showed us the perfect place. Then, even though the buying process should have been straightforward (neither party was in ...
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Aug 23, 2013
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Hello
Thank you ever so much in leaving your comments on using the Walthamstow branch, and how we did in finding you the property and getting that property through so the deal was completed.
I am pleased to know that even though your difficult transaction that you feel that you had the support from myself and our Douglas Allen Walthamstow team to insure that we got the transaction all completed for you.
I hope you will be very happy there in the future, all the very best for the future. ...
Feb 01,2013
Feb 01,2013
8
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I felt that the support and help provided to us by Douglas Allen was fantastic. As the buyer I was very concerned as to what the seller was doing and I was told by Douglas Allen how the process was going and updated regularly, which ...
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Feb 04, 2013
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Hello Mohammed
From the agreement of your purchase on the 4th of January, to the exchange of contracts on the 31st of January, was a great job all-round by yourself, your own solicitors who was with-in our recommended panel.
Thank you for your recognition of Douglas Allen support and hard work for you, I am very pleased we reached your 28 day deadline to get the deal done.
I hope you will be very happy once you move may I wish you all the very best for the future.
Kindest Regards
...
Jan 23,2013
Jan 23,2013
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Very difficult estate agent to get on with, viewing the property was easy enough, the issue came when putting in an offer. They took every opportunity to sell us a mortgage and a solicitor (which I do not recommend doing at all! ) even at one ...
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Jan 17,2013
Jan 17,2013
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The agent did very well in marketing my property to the right people and in raising interest resulting in a very speedy offer. The sale turned out to be difficult and I would have liked a bit more communication on my options, but the sale ...
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Jan 23, 2013
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Hello Jacques
Well done on your recent transaction with Douglas Allen, may I wish you all the happiness with your move and hope you will be very happy there.
Thank you ever so much for your comments about Douglas Allen, it is nice to see our efforts are noted and appreciated that is very kind of you.
Kindest Regards ...
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