Noise and scaremongering from the detractors will only strengthen OnTheMarket, say grassroots supporters.
OTM yesterday afternoon released excerpts of letters written to it by member agents, pledging their support.
Ian Springett, chief executive of OTM, said: “We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, OnTheMarket is here to stay and we know that our achievements to date, our continuing recent growth and the drive to succeed we share with our members are posing an unwelcome threat to some detractors who would benefit from our demise.
“If we didn’t pose a threat to them, they wouldn’t waste their time on us.
“The overwhelming majority of our member agents remain fully committed to OTM.
“The board, management team and staff remain focused on the strategic task of growing OTM into the best portal in the market for agents and consumer alike.”
Among the messages was one from Nick Manson, director of Mansons, a single-branch business in Jesmond, Newcastle, who said: “The recent noise and scaremongering will only make OTM stronger.
“I believe the recent negative comments are a result of those trying to undermine the incredible amount OTM has achieved since launch.
“We are receiving an increasing volume of traffic and quality leads from OTM and I remain a strong supporter.”
Michael Comyn, of Comyn & James in Pulborough, West Sussex, said: “It is very interesting that OTM is receiving the inevitable negative attacks from detrators – it certainly proves that they are having an impact on the portals market.”
Lana Michael, of single-office Kensington Estates in London, said: “I do not give undue attention to any negative stories I hear. I go with what I see for myself, and what I’ve seen from OTM so far, I have liked.”
Steve Moir, chairman of Property Sharing Experts in the south-west, said: “We remain amazed at the short-sighted view some agents and some quarters seem to take, and firmly believe it is in the long-term interest for agents to continue to support OnTheMarket.
“OnTheMarket is delivering good leads, considering it is still in its infancy, and we fully understood that we were taking a longer-term view.
“Property Sharing Experts as a group still fully support the portal. We are seeing an ever increasing number of quality leads, and as long as members continue to promote it then consumer awareness will continue to grow.”
Comments (15)
The only damage OTM seem to be doing is completely self inflicted.
Firstly this two portal rule: If OTM dropped this they would generate a much larger portfolio of property for sale from an enlarged client base of advertisers.
In fact if Mr Springett thought about it OTM could genuinely challenge as the largest property portal if they actually focused on their business and didn’t make thid silly rules up.
Secondly by doing this it persuade agents up and down the country (like myself) who, by playing safe,have steered clear of OTM as we didn’t want to lose potential business from zoopla but by having a third low cost option we would probably risk it.
And by doing so zoopla and rightmove would have to consider long and hard how they will complete with OTM, whereas at the moment they don’t.!
Thats just the point though Property Paddy, it isn’t self inflicted, it’s a hate campaign driven by self interest.
Personally I have not missed Zoopla at all and my business has continued to grow (no I don’t claim thats because of OTM either) I simply don’t need three portals, I probably don’t need two, but I do need Rightmove just now and I just choose to support another one that is agent run.
I do this in part because in my mind, the only way to reduce the dependancy agents have on RM, is to have a viable alternative. Zoopla had no interest in seeing any change in the situation, they were happy just taking another cut of the marketing spend.
Yes of course numbers could be swelled if agents could advertise on all three portals as I am sure some of the less partisan corporates would advertise on OTM, but the fact is, in the end it would be the smaller agents who would suffer as they would then need to advertise on all portals sending their costs even higher and their margins even smaller.
we are a very small agency and yes we could be easily outrun by the large corporates but we aren’t because we value our client base and further more we would cost in OTM as a third because clients would expect it. Not to mention if the property isn’t sold we have a viable price change conversation as it’s marketed literally everywhere.
I don’t see why having all three is an issue. I don’t see why I cant be allowed to choose 1, 2 or all 3 if I want, I can advertise in the Guardian if I want or the Times or the local rag but I cant advertise on OTM.
mr Springey wants to compete ? or not ?
Does Mr Springett believe he is Obi Wan Kenobi?
Yes, Yes …… let the hate flow through you ….. 😉
I hate no man (apart from Jack Wilshere and Robbie Williams).
I actually think Mr Springett is correct in his assertion – I believe they are gaining more support in spite of (and maybe even aided by) the detractors. This will only grow stronger with the employment of Jedi mind tricks.
I agree, it was just a play on the Star Wars theme. But could we also add Joey Barton to the list of hated men?
Yeah…get him on the list!
More like Darth Springett!
It honestly sounds like something a comic book villain would say!
Does it? Or does it merely reflect the actions of someone who has been personally villainized by a plethora of online agents, agents with a clear vested interest or portal employees.
Frankly, what I have seen posted on these pages from some has been a disgrace.
Yep and they’re still at it. Just look at the early posters whenever OTM is mentioned, it’s like an illness with them.
Chill, guys. If you visited this page often enough you’d know most of my comments are a bit cheeky! I have no personal, emotional or professional investment in RM/Z or OTM, I was just pointing out it was kind of a funny thing to say.
Or a job . . . . .
Just like the anti RM or Zoopla ones you mean???