89% sales valuation accuracy
73% sales fee satisfaction
Jun 22,2014
Jun 22,2014
8
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Con-nells - the clue should be in the first syllable right there... This is a long review, but please read it all and you WILL understand the Jokers you may be dealing with.
Where to begin?
We wanted to buy a property in SG6 through Connells and were told that there are "six or so other people who are going for this property" and that "to improve our chances of our offer being accepted we should come onto the market with Connells" alongside our current estate agent. They did not ask if we had a sole agency agreement - such trivial details seem not to bother Connells. I told this to our EA - they had to ring back to make sure that they heard me correctly - then laughed themselves silly.
So we played nice, despite protests from our current estate agent, and went on Connells books and lo and behold our offer was accepted... Sort of...
The conditions were imposed and the acceptance was subject to us "keeping everything in-house" - that is arranging a mortgage and legalities with the in-house mortgagae broker. Oh - and pay for his services! BUT if we did this, the vendor would drop her price by £1000 which would cover these costs. I told this to our EA - they had to ring back to make sure that they heard me correctly - then laughed themselves silly... again.
Now- so you know, Connells is owned (partly at least) by Skipton Building Society. The mortgage we were "advised" (read: pushed towards) was by Accord - no, we've never heard of 'em either, but they too are owned by Skipton - gosh what an anti-coincidence. We declined any further financial assistance and went to arrange our own mortgage care of the Halifax.
They told us that the vendor has had a bad experience with Halifax surveyors down-valuing their property (hmmm - guess you've over-valued it then, genius) and mortgage applications being refused on that ground. Even if that IS the case, every valuation is going to be independent, so with a (much) lower sale price all should be good. "No says the vendor", says Connells - no Halifax surveyors here, please.
I can't for definate say how much of what has transpired is utter Hogwash on the part of the EA, but with a purchase I have TODAY cancelled, I wish any poor schmuck who tries to buy through Connells under their own steam all the luck in the world - God knows you *WILL* need it.
Where to begin?
We wanted to buy a property in SG6 through Connells and were told that there are "six or so other people who are going for this property" and that "to improve our chances of our offer being accepted we should come onto the market with Connells" alongside our current estate agent. They did not ask if we had a sole agency agreement - such trivial details seem not to bother Connells. I told this to our EA - they had to ring back to make sure that they heard me correctly - then laughed themselves silly.
So we played nice, despite protests from our current estate agent, and went on Connells books and lo and behold our offer was accepted... Sort of...
The conditions were imposed and the acceptance was subject to us "keeping everything in-house" - that is arranging a mortgage and legalities with the in-house mortgagae broker. Oh - and pay for his services! BUT if we did this, the vendor would drop her price by £1000 which would cover these costs. I told this to our EA - they had to ring back to make sure that they heard me correctly - then laughed themselves silly... again.
Now- so you know, Connells is owned (partly at least) by Skipton Building Society. The mortgage we were "advised" (read: pushed towards) was by Accord - no, we've never heard of 'em either, but they too are owned by Skipton - gosh what an anti-coincidence. We declined any further financial assistance and went to arrange our own mortgage care of the Halifax.
They told us that the vendor has had a bad experience with Halifax surveyors down-valuing their property (hmmm - guess you've over-valued it then, genius) and mortgage applications being refused on that ground. Even if that IS the case, every valuation is going to be independent, so with a (much) lower sale price all should be good. "No says the vendor", says Connells - no Halifax surveyors here, please.
I can't for definate say how much of what has transpired is utter Hogwash on the part of the EA, but with a purchase I have TODAY cancelled, I wish any poor schmuck who tries to buy through Connells under their own steam all the luck in the world - God knows you *WILL* need it.
What agent could do to change your mind?
To understand that their customer has a voice, a mind and an opinion. They can do what they wish with regards to their purchase - Connells have to learn that they do not have ANY right to sway (either themselves or under the guise of "the vendor") MY CHOICE of mortgage provider. Also, Connells should have a good (that is - non-generic) statement for Anne Robinson - I may have been in touch with a certain BBC Consumer Advice show.Attached Filesnbsp;
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Dec 11, 2014
In this instance we were acting on behalf of our client who trusted us 100% and we sold the property for over the asking price which 'beardy' would not match. Our mortgage service department win awards on a regular basis for the excellent service offered and the money we save people, The buyers who brought the property in question of which 'beardy' lost out on used our in house mortgage expert and saved them money and were at no point forced to use him but understood it made the whole process go through smoothly.
Agent Response / Add a Comment
You can use this form to reply to the above review or a displayed comment on the above review.
Browse popular links for estate agents, letting agents and properties nearby
Latest Reviews
26th Aug 2023
reviewed by 'Chris Demetriou'
26th Aug 2023
reviewed by 'Hazel'
19th Nov 2020
reviewed by 'Claire'
3rd Dec 2017
reviewed by 'Colin'
15th Sep 2017
reviewed by 'Terri'
11th Sep 2017
reviewed by 'S.Leete'
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 89% | 73% | £206,000 | £500,000 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Areas covered
- SG5
- SG6
- SG7
- SG8
- SG15
- sg18
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
Advertise on
Members of
Rankings
Overall
Overall
Latest Properties
No Properties
Aug 26,2023
Aug 26,2023
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Craig Prutton professional efficient and helpful. Always available even on days off....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Aug 26,2023
Aug 26,2023
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Just wanted to say how happy I have been with everything to do with Connells with their support for me and my ex husband in selling our marital home. They really did make sure they supported both of us and good communication channels. Very happy ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Nov 19,2020
Nov 19,2020
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
A sensible valuation meant that we got an offer within the first month. That was when Connells really started earning their commission. The legal process was more complex than anyone expected and Craig was on the case pretty much every day with solicitors and with ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Dec 03,2017
Dec 03,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I just bought a property through Connells and would have to commend them on their professionalism and persistence in seeing the whole process through to completion. Looking forward to using their services again....
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
N/A
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 15,2017
Sep 15,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I would just like to say a great big thank you to Michael Cole who managed to secure me a mortgage where others failed. I appreciate the hours you put in for me, I will be seeing you again....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 11,2017
Sep 11,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Excellent service sold and brought through Letchworth branch,
Their Free Mortgage Advice was very helpful and used all there services, always very helpful and friendly staff, always had time to talk to me and nothing was ever a problem for them.
Their in-house services are ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Very impressed with fees and Mortgage Advice excellent free service
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 11,2017
Sep 11,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Thanks For Your Help And Sorting Out Any Issues and Following Things up on sale, Very Effective, Well Advertised, Great Service Highly Recommend Great Attitude...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Really happy with Fee's Excellent along with the service
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 11,2017
Sep 11,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I have just sold my property with Connells and could not be happier with the help and support of the team at the Letchworth Branch. I thought this would be a stressful process but they have helped make the sale go very smoothly and they ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
excellent and excellent service
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 11,2017
Sep 11,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Letchworth Connells - Thank you for your help and sorting out any issues and following up on things with my purchase....
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
N/A
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 30,2017
Jul 30,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
No feedback no offers terrible agents no communication all they want to do is to get you on the books and hope...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Terrible
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 30,2016
Oct 30,2016
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Unfortunately I made the mistake of telling them I had never purchased a property myself before stupidly thinking they may be more understanding and helpful. . . . They were attentive till I put in an offer for a property...told my offer would only be excepted by ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Only purchased from them so no fee,s
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 31,2016
Mar 31,2016
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We sold a property in Letchworth last September through Connells. Generally they gave the impression that we were low priority. One of the most irritating things was that we constantly had to chase them up because they took ages to get back to us. At ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Quite cheap and we got exactly what we paid for. In the context of time and irritation, very expensive.Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Quite cheap and we got exactly what we paid for. In the context of time and irritation, very expensive.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 04,2014
Sep 04,2014
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
They sell properties , however, they also try & rope you into their mortgage scheme as it's clearly profitable, as I had my own mortgage they told me they would not put me forward if it's not via them !! Shocking!! I bet the seller does not know ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jun 22,2014
Jun 22,2014
8
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Con-nells - the clue should be in the first syllable right there... This is a long review, but please read it all and you WILL understand the Jokers you may be dealing with.
Where to begin?
We wanted to buy a property in SG6 through ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
To understand that their customer has a voice, a mind and an opinion. They can do what they wish with regards to their purchase - Connells have to learn that they do not have ANY right to sway (either themselves or under the guise of "the vendor") MY CHOICE of mortgage provider. Also, Connells should have a good (that is - non-generic) statement for Anne Robinson - I may have been in touch with a certain BBC Consumer Advice show.Attached Filesnbsp;
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Dec 11, 2014
View all comments
(1)
In this instance we were acting on behalf of our client who trusted us 100% and we sold the property for over the asking price which 'beardy' would not match. Our mortgage service department win awards on a regular basis for the excellent service offered and the money we save people, The buyers who brought the property in question of which 'beardy' lost out on used our in house mortgage expert and saved them money and were at no point forced to use him but understood it made the whole process go ...
Jan 28,2014
Jan 28,2014
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Connells deceived me into thinking i only had to pay £99 plus vat for HIP pack back in 2009. Then 17 months later and only 3 viewings they took my house off the market and said i had to pay them £465.07. Now nearly 5 years later its nearly £1000 and taking ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
No fees information available
Kindly note that legally, letting agents need to publish information about their tenancy fees, government-approved redress schemes and client money protection schemes on their website and on third party websites (on which agents are listed). For properties to lease/rent in England, agents need to keep this information up to date and precise on allAgents or specify within the property description.
Complaints Procedure
No procedure set.
Last updated at 9:16 AM 14/09/2017 by craig flynn
Best Estate Agent in SG6 
