Purplebricks has won accreditation from what were its harshest critics – the don’t-mess-with-mums on Mumsnet.
The remarkable turnaround comes after Purplebricks offered free sales packages to ten Mumsnet members plus a £50 voucher back in April.
The only stipulation was that they shared feedback on a Mumsnet thread by filling out a survey as the process went along.
At the time, EYE said that this was either public relations at its most brilliantly creative – or at its suicidally most foolhardy.
And indeed, there was an immediate backlash, including a comment on Mumsnet querying the free offer, saying: “Really? After all the complaints have had about them on this board!”
However, all ten free offers were taken up and the feedback has now been such that Purplebricks has a ‘Mumsnet approved’ badge.
One tester said of her overall impression of Purplebricks that she thought it was brilliant and that she had absolutely no quibbles.
The first buyer pulled out but it was put back on the market and went under offer again within a week: “I feel my experience with Purplebricks was as good as my two previous experiences with traditional agents,” she wrote at the end of July.
Another said: “The service has been as good as a high street agent all the way along.” She added: “I would definitely use them again to, not just because they were cheaper than a local agent but the service they provided was better too.”
Another, whose property has not sold, said that despite the lack of a result, taking part in the trial had “changed my perception of Purplebricks”.
There was praise for Purplebricks’ sales progression but there are also some criticisms on the thread – surprisingly, mainly about the technology.
One of the testers was almost wholly critical, saying that the LPE was not knowledgeable about the local market “and had to rely on us for information.” A local estate agent, with whom the property was also listed, was “much more helpful in this regard”.
She reported more viewings with the local agent than through Purplebricks. The property remains unsold.
A final tester (as EYE goes to press) rates Purplebricks as “okay”, saying she wondered if some buyers prefer to deal with more traditional estate agents.
However, even she said she had no real complaints.
A Purplebricks spokesperson told EYE yesterday: “We are delighted to have achieved Mumsnet accredited status.
“Along with our fantastic Trustpilot and Feefo reviews, this is yet more compelling evidence to choose Purplebricks.”
Separately, director of the Purplebricks Academy Mike Booth is to leave the company after over three years. One LPE told us that this came as a shock, as to the LPEs he was Mr Purplebricks. The statement emphasised that he “loves the company” and there has been no further comment from Purplebricks itself.
Purplebricks looks to woo Mumsnet with ten free packages in exchange for posting up their feedback
Comments (65)
Ducky?
……I’ll keep this short as I’ve had a very busy day being an Estate Agent – 30 Years & counting!
I struggle to think you don’t understand the “Yin & Yang” of “Trustpilot Reviews”?
However, I’ll spare you some of my leisure time this evening.
We watch the Trumpesque Performance of PB’S neatly packaged “10 Winners Reviews” paraded as a testimony that PB’s Review Theatre is a genuine performance to be believed & applauded?
Forgive me…. I am just as entitled to select 10 Contrasting Reviews to ensure balance is given to the Theatrics of the “10 Winners Reviews”.
Yin & Yang Ducky…. it’s simple, unless you only want Yin or Yang?
‘Separately, director of the Purplebricks Academy Mike Booth is to leave the company after over three years. One LPE told us that this came as a shock, as to the LPEs he was Mr Purplebricks. The statement emphasised that he “loves the company” and there has been no further comment from Purplebricks itself‘.
Anyone any idea why Mr Booth left?
Could it be due to a catastrophic breakdown in AML procedures?
You’re assuming they had procedures to breakdown 😉
A no sale, no fee offer is not an honest representation of their service.
How would these Mumsnet users rate PB if they were now charged their average fee of circa £1,160?
mumsnet is a large company that a lot of people use for reviewing companies so having this behind purple bricks is a big coup.
shame to hear that mike is leaving. I had him as a trainer for a couple days and whats purple bricks loss is someone elses gain. a great loss to the company as he is a great professional.
Out of curiosity, are we to assume that the LPEs involved received their ‘usual/typical’ renumeration from HO?
Sorry (except to Dom) about the repeated Posts of Reviews folks however the Gremlins have been removing my posts and I asked Ros to recover/repost which she has tried to do. There may be some missing from my Sample 10 Trustpilot Purplebricks 1 Star Review Sample however you get the idea and a flavour of the “balance” which I want to offer to the “Headline/Mumsnet” PIE story.
Perhaps Mumsnet may wish to publish these Sample Reviews to ensure “balance” to their PB “Award” from a sample of 10. Is there a Mumsnet Award for Negative Purplebricks Reviews? I would offer to sponsor one and I’m sure some our postee’s on here would contribute as well?
GPL,
>There may be some missing from my Sample 10
A sample of negative reviews? What’s the purpose of that?
If you are going to use TP then surely it should be a little more representative of the overall picture or doesn’t that give you what you are hoping for?
On TP, PB have 49000 reviews with 89% of them being excellent.
Here are some verified reviews. Pretty daft I know but this is essentially what you have done…
“Excellent experience with Purple Bricks-in Particular my property experts Andy and Neil. Everything was made clear and was dealt with the minimum of fuss. Any questions were dealt with swiftly and they were always available to give advice. Excellent service and would recommend to anyone.”
“Excellent service from the appointed representative. Prompt communications, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in seeing the process through.”
“Very impressed with the whole process.
Approved the PB ad on Friday afternoon, got 14 viewings booked by saturday morning and sold our property on the second viewing same saturday morning.
Easy to use very helpful, quite happy and saved loads too.”
“Great customer service, simple to use and good value for money.”
“Was recommended to Lesley by a friend and I was not disappointed. Throughout the process she was incredibly hard working and kept me updated on everything that happened. This was my first sale and she helped me through every single stage of the sale, from bringing the property to market to after the sale and ensuring I had what I needed to move. She kept me well informed and made every effort she could to sell my property. I would recommend anyone selling their house to use Lesley without any reservations.”
“Alan Hough our agent was very knowledgeable regarding the local area. He suggested a sale price in excess of my expectation. The sale actually realised a price nearly 4% above his valuation within a week of the advert going live. Very straightforward to deal with this company being kept in the loop at all times. Could not recommend purple bricks highly enough.”
“Janet was absolutely excellent – even contacted us several times while she was on holiday to ensure a smooth offer acceptance procedure.”
“Hi thank you so much jayne Blackburn for all of your help throughout the harrowing time of selling and assisting us to show around and advise us on the sale of our property. And thank you purple bricks for all of the feedback and and your professional help . But once again thank you jayne . We could not have done it without you.
Very kind regardsPhilip and Susan bradley.”
“Brilliant service. Our local rep, Jayne Pearce, was excellent nothing to much trouble always available.
We have used purple bricks on our last two property sales & would recommend them to anyone.”
“Having Stephen (Glasgow area) take fantastic photos of our flat probably helped our very quick sale in just over a week !
All pictures and descriptions were very complimentary !2nd time using P. Bricks – won’t hesitate for next time Stephen always assisted and returned my texts or calls Thanks again”
That’s going back 4 days. I’m sure there are plenty more verified 5* reviews if you look further back.
My friends have just sold (STC) with PB and they couldn’t have been more complimentary. Nothing like the service which people on here try to suggest is the case when they also focus on negative reviews. I can say the same when I sold too. On the whole, much better than my previous experiences with traditional agents.
But ducky – you’ve missed some of the other VERIFIED reviews. Allow me to correct your glaring omissions…
For a start, you’ve missed this one
“Purple bricks don’t really do anything, we sold our house with them the First Lady we had called Angel was amazing she’d call and ask how things were going giving us advise then unfortunately she left the company since then we’ve had 2 people I can’t tell you what they’re called as I’ve never met either of them! He never called us he gave us no advise when We sold the house. Purple bricks just want your money and that’s it! Thanks a lot purple bricks!”
and this one
“I have given one star as it is not possible to leave less than this. Purple bricks were engaged up to the point of receiving an offer; since then, communication has been poor and on occasion rude. My local property expert has ignored calls, emails and texts for more than two weeks now. I would not use them again.”
and also this one
“Unhelpful. Didn’t do anything for the sale – pictures not uploaded when submitted.
Conveyancing very expensive and tied in with ridiculous clause costing £400 to get out of – just a way of them making money above sale fees.”
and this one
“Avoid avoid avoid. No go to direct person, want nearly £900 after my property had been on the market 10months, and the conveyancing team they supplied failed to keep me updated on 2 potential buyers pulling out. Wish I had never used PurpleBricks. Would strongly recommend if you’re selling a property use someone other then PurpleBricks”
just to note a few.
ALL verified reviews.
Now – what was your point again…?
On the subject of my last sentence above…
…here’s a little nugget I’d like you to have a chew on with your little ducky bill. It’s a nugget you served up on 10 March 2017:
“I’ve stopped reading TrustPilot reviews. Online reviews are notoriously unreliable.”
So – borrowing a phrase…
“To you”, ducky.
To you (credit: Barry Chuckle dec’d).
He says ‘My friends have just sold (STC) with PB‘. Only post sales to go through then. What on earth could go wrong?
Nothing can go wrong because there’s nothing to go wrong with.
You should have sussed it was utter ******** the second he mentioned having “friends”…
Part of the ‘It never happened’ movement.
dom? …….that’s the thing Dom, you keep banging that PB Positive Drum however it MUST be balanced by the “other” Reviews otherwise we are simply on the receiving end of a singular message issued by company that wants us to believe that everything in their world is Positive and we should simply accept that.
It’s “Democracy” Dom, “Free Speech” Dom, it’s the real world according to those that live outwith the Towering Purplewalls.
It’s the truth according to those on the receiving end Dom, I know that’s frustrating for you however it’s how life should be, we shouldn’t be lined up in virtual high chairs and spoon fed the message that we are simply supposed to swallow.
Deal with it Dom.
…and finally from my 10 Sample 1 Star Trustpilot Reviews
No 9, left by “Dan” 48 hours ago…
WORST experience with a real estate…
WORST experience with a real estate agent BY FAR. Agent from Purple Bricks.I booked a viewing to a property, and the agent responsible for showing me the place sent me a last minute email at 3am cancelling my viewing for no apparent reason. I waited outside the flat at 9am for hours, before checking my email and realising what had happened. When I tried to reach him, he did not bother to pick up or return my calls.During my second attempted viewing of the same property, I waited for him outside of the flat. He was late. I called him, and he told me he was inside the flat waiting for me, which made no sense. When he opened the door he was red faced, and his breath stank of ethanol. I suspect that he was hungover.When I asked him why he waited inside the flat for me, he rudely replied ‘Why didn’t you call me?’ like if it was my responsibility to know where he was. When I tried to call his attention on this matter, he became loud, and told me to exit his flat at that moment if I was going to question his behaviour. I ignored this behaviour, as I was interested in the flat, not on a petty scuffle with him.After agreeing to take the flat, I made sure to text the landlord directly, in order to close the deal, and he agreed to my terms. However, after a week of closing the deal with the landlord, the agent wasn’t moving things forward. I tried reaching out to him, and sent him some emails urging him to accelerate the process, but he was, again, unavailable. So I contacted the landlord directly asking him to please speak to the agent, as I myself had failed to reach him.One day afterwards, I receive an email from the agent cancelling my deal, due to a ‘misunderstanding’ with the deal I made with the landlord. Somehow this agent managed to convince the landlord that there were ‘risks and complications’ with my deal, and therefore, that the landlord should cancel the deal he made with me. I lost the flat. This was 12 days ago.Initially I was not going to write a complain, but then I thought I could all least spare some from going through the same I’ve been through. This might have been something related to the agent alone instead of PurpleBricks as a whole, but I can only speak from personal experience.
and finally, yes…. finally…
No 10, left by “Rosemary Frost”, 3 Days ago….
My empty house was left unlocked
I paid £1149 to include accompanied viewings as I live 300 miles away from the property to be sold. Visiting the house after several months (during which there were only two viewings), I found that the house had been left insecure, with the garage doors, including the internal door between garage and the rest of the house, left unlocked and with the keys in this lock. Teenagers had got into the house, witnessed by neighbours across the road. Purplebricks refuse to accept responsibility, and offered me £150 compensation, later raising this to £300. I wished to cancel my contract but they have refused. I have now gone to the ombudsman.
Do we really need the constant SPAM from GPL copy pasting reviews from Trustpilot, we get your point.
Actually I quite like it, dom-boy. And it isn’t “SPAM”. It’s entirely relevant; it’s what is actually being said out there – it just sticks in your gullet ‘cos it bu99ers up your agenda.
Accept the facts – it will help numb the pain of your #DOMmisery.
Hi Dom
Care to answer the question you’ve been dodging for weeks now ?
No 7 left by “Ben” 42 Hours ago…
Shambolic from start to finish
Shambolic from start to finish. I was buying through purple bricks. They couldn’t contact their vendor half of the time. We got all the way to exchange for the whole chain, and then it all toppled because the vendor and purple bricks failed to know that the tenants weren’t leaving and they were just starting the eviction process. Bear in mind, when i viewed the property 3 months earlier, the agent said the tenants were just moving out.
and of course No 8, left 48 hours ago by “Penuk2000”
We had an awful experience with purple…
We had an awful experience with purple bricks and I would never recommend them to anyone wanting to sell a house, First of all the agent was lovely and said all the right things to get us to go with her. we had never sold a property before so foolishly we trusted what she said.our house went on the market just before Christmas she told us that was the best time to sell we didn’t get any viewings at all till the end of January.By more luck than judgment on her part the first viewing offered it was 8k lower than we wanted but she kept saying things like you “wont get a better offer” “I would take it” being first time sellers and already having a property to purchase we agreed. I didn’t hear anything from her at all. all the paperwork was going though then at easter just after I had been away for a week working. I got a text saying that if we didn’t move the next day then our buyer will be homeless and may pull out.. (which I felt was emotional blackmail as it wasn’t our fault he gave notice on his rental before exchange)This was the first we had heard of it. all of the paperwork wasn’t done so we couldn’t physically move anyway. We rushed everything with the solicitors the they said if we exchange and complete on the same day we could do it the following Thursday.so we got time off, started packing, redirected post and booked removers, only to be told on the Tuesday that the buyer had backed out. Purplebricks said to us don’t worry I will move heaven and earth to get you another buyer. don’t worry I will sell it in no time. 4 weeks later after me texting asking if she had got any viewings lined up..no reply! she wasn’t bothered, I told her we were thinking of going with another agent and she begged us not to go with another agent and she would get a buyer, after another week no communication and no viewings. So we had no choice but to go with another agent.After that I had nothing from her at all she didn’t bother at all. I would text to see if she had anything lined up and wouldn’t get a reply.The new agent (Barnard Marcus) were amazing and had people though the door from day one. we were under offer within 4 weeks and they couldn’t of been more helpful. I told Purplebricks we had accepted and offer and that I wanted to take the property off with them. No Reply then she booked a viewing in. Which I cancelled though the website and took the property off, within 2 Days they took £1400 out of our account, Still no communication, WORST OF ALL we excepted the offer on our house on the 18th of June and purple bricks still haven’t returned our house keys!!! I have sent numerous texts and phoned and keep being promised they will be dropped off. still nothing, I have asked for the board to be removed and its still there. Its a horrible feeling knowing that they have 2 keys to our property and can let themselves in whenever they want. its unnerving to say the least.Please don’t use them!!!! Save yourself time and money and go with a high street estate agent The ladies we dealt with was called Lisa Slann and her colleague Emma Bradick (who we never actually met but apparently has a key to our house)
Forgive my persistence to get the “balance” Reviews out there, my “Sample” of the 10 most recent 1 Start Reviews, Over 2 Days.
Nos 5, left 24 hours ago by “Helen”
evaluation appointment
Had booked an evaluation appointment. Had re-arranged my working day to fit in the appointment. However while I was at work my daughter contacted me to say that Justin Dibben had already been and visited over an hour early. She stated that he had spent no more than 2 minutes at the address, only looked in a few rooms from the door way and looked at best disinterested. I am shocked and appalled that Justin feels that without any formal notification (ie a telephone call) it’s ok to turn up at a time that is more suitable for him. To go into a home where my young daughters are alone and spent two minutes. When I contacted Justin to say how appalled I was his level of arrogants was unbelievable – he could not see any issue with how disrespectful he had been ! Would never ever use then and told him to forget the evaluation as want some that is respect and interest in the property and the client – which he clearly isn’t
and No 6, 40 hours ago by “David”
Avoid avoid avoid
Avoid avoid avoid. No go to direct person, want nearly £900 after my property had been on the market 10months, and the conveyancing team they supplied failed to keep me updated on 2 potential buyers pulling out. Wish I had never used PurpleBricks. Would strongly recommend if you’re selling a property use someone other then PurpleBricks.
I was trying to add this earlier. Whilst it’s difficult to ascertain from the 3 pages of reviews by the test subjects however; it appears that of the 10 freebies dished out, only one has completed and two are SSTC (possibly three). This is not quite the 88%, 91.4%, over 80% list to completed figures quoted by the Bruce brothers and the company solicitors or, the very quick sales they are currently claiming via TwentyCI data which, if partly based on data from Zoopla*, is known to include unchecked property status’ and different property status’ to those shown under clear headings* and therefore may be ruled as inadmissible/ unreliable by the ASA.
*Source https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/pdq-estates-ltd-a17-401398.html Assessment 1. para 2
Ahh they can be added to your sample size of 12 Chris, the 12 properties in the back end of nowhere which is an accurate representation of 50,000 listings. Ohh hang on ……
But PB are happy to claim that from a tiny and somewhat rigged* sample of 10, Mumsnet has given them a big thumbs up. Ohhh hang on ….
*the service was offered for free and the LPEs would have known that they had to perform if not told by PB then by the testers. Hardly a glowing recc. and, by the way, why does Feefo use PB logo but not have a single listing review? Go figure.
Hi Dom
Care to answer the question you’ve been dodging for weeks now ?
“12 properties in the back end of nowhere”
How dare you be so unecessarily rude about Cornwall – it may not be the centre of the universe but to be so dismissive suggests that you are one of those head-up-their-own-fundament Londoners who thinks that anywhere outside the M25 is bandit country populated only by straw sucking yokels who know nothing.
An unpleasant type that I have encountered from time to time in 40 years of working in propery in the South West.
Apologies to Nick & Ros if they feel this is personal abuse but I can’t help but respond to your (dompritch134) rudeness.
(Not quite so “relaxed” at this precise moment!)
If that’s the best the sad little twerp has got, you have to feel sorry for him. I’d rather live in Cornwall than anywhere else.
No 3 & 4 Trustpilot Purplebricks Review of a sample of 10
this one No 3 is 22 Hours ago, left by “Chris Hall”
I have given one star as it is not…
I have given one star as it is not possible to leave less than this. Purple bricks were engaged up to the point of receiving an offer; since then, communication has been poor and on occasion rude. My local property expert has ignored calls, emails and texts for more than two weeks now. I would not use them again.
and this one is 22 hours ago from “Unhappy Customer”
Unhelpful
Unhelpful. Didn’t do anything for the sale – pictures not uploaded when submitted.Conveyancing very expensive and tied in with ridiculous clause costing £400 to get out of – just a way of them making money above sale fees.
As I await some sunshine to photograph my client’s home, I didn’t have any in the boot of my car, nor do I photoshop, 100% real sunshine!
No 2 Trustpilot Purplebricks Review of a sample of 10, this one is 5 Hours ago, left by “Brookes”
Purple bricks don’t really do anything
Purple bricks don’t really do anything, we sold our house with them the First Lady we had called Angel was amazing she’d call and ask how things were going giving us advise then unfortunately she left the company since then we’ve had 2 people I can’t tell you what they’re called as I’ve never met either of them! He never called us he gave us no advise when We sold the house. Purple bricks just want your money and that’s it! Thanks a lot purple bricks!
In the interests of Balance…. 1 of 10 Trustpilot Purplebricks Reviews – this one 60 plus minutes old….
Stuart Mawson
1 review
Published 68 minutes ago
I have recently had my property up for…
I have recently had my property up for sale with purple bricks for the past 4 months, before agreeing to let purple bricks sell our property I was advised it would be well advertised and stated to me you had loads of customers on your books wanting a property like mine in the area, up to date it was valued by yourselves at £260.00 which was recommended by yourselves, up to date we have not had anyone view the property at all, had one viewing which was cancelled.We received no feedback in regards to why it was cancelled, we were quoted a certain price which was arranged, however once we agreed for Purplebricks to sell our property, without being advised later received an extra bill to do with a money laundering check which we were never advised off so felt extremely let down to say the least, also recently finding out the fee we were were never advised we were being been tied into a contract regarding the fee which we were never advised when signing the paperwork.If we had known that we were being tied into a contract we would never have agreed to use Purplebricks for the sake of our property.I feel we have not had any customer service regarding this, we have never had one person to deal regarding our property, we have been passed different names who to deal with due to staff leaving. We have not been provided a local property expert to look after us. We haven’t had any level of customer service for quite a few months now, and feel our property has not been advertised to it’s fill potential to get a sale.When I contacted yourselves regarding my concerns I then get advised our property is up for sale for too much as properties in our area are only selling between £170.000 – £215,000 and expected to lower the price considerably when it purple bricks that placed the valued on it 4 months ago.I feel we have been extremely let down by Purplebricks and not made enough effort to advertise our property and therefore in breach of contract for some time now, and feel we have been missold this.Due to the reasons in this review believe our named property should be taken off your books at no cost to ourselves immediately without charge and confirm this in writing within 7 days, if we have had no reply in writing and this has not been dealt with in the time stated, we will be taking this further to the ombudsman for the miselling.RegardsMr Mawson
Hahahahahaha! Hilarious!
From another “reviewer” comment –
“What most appealed to you about the Purplebricks service?
That for us it would be free!!”
Delayed due to the earlier digital shart that wiped my earlier post.
With every LPE and TO baby sitting freeloading mumsnet users is it any wonder so many paid up customers have not had a call back, email or complaint handled.
Mumsnet talk forums still full with mummies & daddies spitting their dummies out the pram about Purplebricks. Which doesn’t tally with the information minister for Purplebricks tripe, Comical Dom.
And Feefo? Where the actual Fee-uck are those reviews? Anyone, anydom, anydom?
The only review site I trust is *TripAdvisor* as you can see the amount of other reviews that person has made, so I discount a person with only one review.
One of the companies I worked for used Feefo for reviews and you only sent the link to review to those who you knew were going to give you a positive review. IMHO Utterly pointless most of the review sites.
Here’s one comment from one of the “reviewers”
“The website seems okay and user friendly thus far… But we haven’t yet posted our ad [as the photos haven’t been done] so will be able to comment more once that is up!”
I need make no comment.
….and almost finally
We had an awful experience with purple…
We had an awful experience with purple bricks and I would never recommend them to anyone wanting to sell a house, First of all the agent was lovely and said all the right things to get us to go with her. we had never sold a property before so foolishly we trusted what she said.our house went on the market just before Christmas she told us that was the best time to sell we didn’t get any viewings at all till the end of January.By more luck than judgment on her part the first viewing offered it was 8k lower than we wanted but she kept saying things like you “wont get a better offer” “I would take it” being first time sellers and already having a property to purchase we agreed. I didn’t hear anything from her at all. all the paperwork was going though then at easter just after I had been away for a week working. I got a text saying that if we didn’t move the next day then our buyer will be homeless and may pull out.. (which I felt was emotional blackmail as it wasn’t our fault he gave notice on his rental before exchange)This was the first we had heard of it. all of the paperwork wasn’t done so we couldn’t physically move anyway. We rushed everything with the solicitors the they said if we exchange and complete on the same day we could do it the following Thursday.so we got time off, started packing, redirected post and booked removers, only to be told on the Tuesday that the buyer had backed out. Purplebricks said to us don’t worry I will move heaven and earth to get you another buyer. don’t worry I will sell it in no time. 4 weeks later after me texting asking if she had got any viewings lined up..no reply! she wasn’t bothered, I told her we were thinking of going with another agent and she begged us not to go with another agent and she would get a buyer, after another week no communication and no viewings. So we had no choice but to go with another agent.After that I had nothing from her at all she didn’t bother at all. I would text to see if she had anything lined up and wouldn’t get a reply.The new agent (Barnard Marcus) were amazing and had people though the door from day one. we were under offer within 4 weeks and they couldn’t of been more helpful. I told Purplebricks we had accepted and offer and that I wanted to take the property off with them. No Reply then she booked a viewing in. Which I cancelled though the website and took the property off, within 2 Days they took £1400 out of our account, Still no communication, WORST OF ALL we excepted the offer on our house on the 18th of June and purple bricks still haven’t returned our house keys!!! I have sent numerous texts and phoned and keep being promised they will be dropped off. still nothing, I have asked for the board to be removed and its still there. Its a horrible feeling knowing that they have 2 keys to our property and can let themselves in whenever they want. its unnerving to say the least.Please don’t use them!!!! Save yourself time and money and go with a high street estate agent The ladies we dealt with was called Lisa Slann and her colleague Emma Bradick (who we never actually met but apparently has a key to our house
….and the next 3
Avoid avoid avoid
Avoid avoid avoid. No go to direct person, want nearly £900 after my property had been on the market 10months, and the conveyancing team they supplied failed to keep me updated on 2 potential buyers pulling out. Wish I had never used PurpleBricks. Would strongly recommend if you’re selling a property use someone other then PurpleBricks.
Shambolic from start to finish
Shambolic from start to finish. I was buying through purple bricks. They couldn’t contact their vendor half of the time. We got all the way to exchange for the whole chain, and then it all toppled because the vendor and purple bricks failed to know that the tenants weren’t leaving and they were just starting the eviction process. Bear in mind, when i viewed the property 3 months earlier, the agent said the tenants were just moving out.
WORST experience with a real estate…
WORST experience with a real estate agent BY FAR. Agent from Purple Bricks.I booked a viewing to a property, and the agent responsible for showing me the place sent me a last minute email at 3am cancelling my viewing for no apparent reason. I waited outside the flat at 9am for hours, before checking my email and realising what had happened. When I tried to reach him, he did not bother to pick up or return my calls.During my second attempted viewing of the same property, I waited for him outside of the flat. He was late. I called him, and he told me he was inside the flat waiting for me, which made no sense. When he opened the door he was red faced, and his breath stank of ethanol. I suspect that he was hungover.When I asked him why he waited inside the flat for me, he rudely replied ‘Why didn’t you call me?’ like if it was my responsibility to know where he was. When I tried to call his attention on this matter, he became loud, and told me to exit his flat at that moment if I was going to question his behaviour. I ignored this behaviour, as I was interested in the flat, not on a petty scuffle with him.After agreeing to take the flat, I made sure to text the landlord directly, in order to close the deal, and he agreed to my terms. However, after a week of closing the deal with the landlord, the agent wasn’t moving things forward. I tried reaching out to him, and sent him some emails urging him to accelerate the process, but he was, again, unavailable. So I contacted the landlord directly asking him to please speak to the agent, as I myself had failed to reach him.One day afterwards, I receive an email from the agent cancelling my deal, due to a ‘misunderstanding’ with the deal I made with the landlord. Somehow this agent managed to convince the landlord that there were ‘risks and complications’ with my deal, and therefore, that the landlord should cancel the deal he made with me. I lost the flat. This was 12 days ago.Initially I was not going to write a complain, but then I thought I could all least spare some from going through the same I’ve been through. This might have been something related to the agent alone instead of PurpleBricks as a whole, but I can only speak from personal experience.
…and in the interest of balance, showing the “flip side” ……these 10 Trustpilot Reviews, 1 Star for Purplebricks, posted within the last 2 Days. First 4 listed….
Purple bricks don’t really do anything
Purple bricks don’t really do anything, we sold our house with them the First Lady we had called Angel was amazing she’d call and ask how things were going giving us advise then unfortunately she left the company since then we’ve had 2 people I can’t tell you what they’re called as I’ve never met either of them! He never called us he gave us no advise when We sold the house. Purple bricks just want your money and that’s it! Thanks a lot purple bricks!
I have given one star as it is not…
I have given one star as it is not possible to leave less than this. Purple bricks were engaged up to the point of receiving an offer; since then, communication has been poor and on occasion rude. My local property expert has ignored calls, emails and texts for more than two weeks now. I would not use them again.
Unhelpful
Unhelpful. Didn’t do anything for the sale – pictures not uploaded when submitted.Conveyancing very expensive and tied in with ridiculous clause costing £400 to get out of – just a way of them making money above sale fees.
evaluation appointment
Had booked an evaluation appointment. Had re-arranged my working day to fit in the appointment. However while I was at work my daughter contacted me to say that Justin Dibben had already been and visited over an hour early. She stated that he had spent no more than 2 minutes at the address, only looked in a few rooms from the door way and looked at best disinterested. I am shocked and appalled that Justin feels that without any formal notification (ie a telephone call) it’s ok to turn up at a time that is more suitable for him. To go into a home where my young daughters are alone and spent two minutes. When I contacted Justin to say how appalled I was his level of arrogants was unbelievable – he could not see any issue with how disrespectful he had been ! Would never ever use then and told him to forget the evaluation as want some that is respect and interest in the property and the client – which he clearly isn’t
Taken from the comments on the link provided in the story…
“I’m not part of this trial but I must say I’m really surprised by how enthusiastic all these buyers are, as this is the complete opposite of my experience. The agent turned up late and had real problems finding the problem, despite it being on a main road in London. It turned out he was running late from an appointment in Mayfair, and had been in Ealing earlier that day. As I’m in Brent anyone who knows London will know this is a huge very varied area so he was most definitely not local by usual definitions. He was extremely defensive at every question I asked, and did not even look around the property, simply walking in and sitting at the table, making me wonder why we couldn’t have just done this by the phone. He didn’t explain the fees leaving me genuinely shocked that fees are payable even if they don’t sell, so zero incentive for them to put in any effort. They also insist on you using their own conveyancing company, which I know from bitter experience is guaranteed to add months to the process if anything is non-standard. Adding an extra premium for London, even on a low value flat meant they weren’t even much cheaper than a local agent. Needless to say I declined their offer, went with a local agent and had an offer for the asking price within a matter of days.”
From the Mumsnet site:
“Everyone who leaves the required feedback will be given a £50 voucher of their choice (from a list). “
Ho-hum…
Is there any evidence that Purplebricks has used vouchers, or other incentives, to gain favourable reviews on Trustpilot?
“evidence”? No – as far as I am aware. Rumour? Yes. Hearsay? Loads of it. Suspicion? It abounds. BUT…
Rumour doesn’t count…
Hearsay isn’t admissible –
…and Suspicion was a song that should have been one of EPs greatest hits but he never released it as a single.
Sorry PeeBee. I have to take issue with your last comment. While I tend to agree with a huge proportion of your observations and comments on Eye, I cannot let this one go by without respectfully disagreeing in the strongest terms.
Elvis Presley did release ‘Suspicion’ as a single. It got to number 9 in 1976.
Erm… OOPS?
I apologise unreservedly for my error.
I shall go hang my head in shame and contemplate retiring altogether from posting on EYE.
…..and in the interests of “Balance” from actual Purplebricks Reviewers from the Purplebricks Trustpilot reviews, I list 10 reviews showing the “flip side” – all being 1 Star Reviews, all within the last 2 Days! Let’s start with these 4
Purple bricks don’t really do anything
we sold our house with them the First Lady we had called Angel was amazing she’d call and ask how things were going giving us advise then unfortunately she left the company since then we’ve had 2 people I can’t tell you what they’re called as I’ve never met either of them! He never called us he gave us no advise when We sold the house. Purple bricks just want your money and that’s it! Thanks a lot purple bricks!
I have given one star as it is not possible to leave less than this.
Purple bricks were engaged up to the point of receiving an offer; since then, communication has been poor and on occasion rude. My local property expert has ignored calls, emails and texts for more than two weeks now. I would not use them again.
evaluation appointment
Had booked an evaluation appointment. Had re-arranged my working day to fit in the appointment. However while I was at work my daughter contacted me to say that Justin Dibben had already been and visited over an hour early. She stated that he had spent no more than 2 minutes at the address, only looked in a few rooms from the door way and looked at best disinterested. I am shocked and appalled that Justin feels that without any formal notification (ie a telephone call) it’s ok to turn up at a time that is more suitable for him. To go into a home where my young daughters are alone and spent two minutes. When I contacted Justin to say how appalled I was his level of arrogants was unbelievable – he could not see any issue with how disrespectful he had been ! Would never ever use then and told him to forget the evaluation as want some that is respect and interest in the property and the client – which he clearly isn’t
Shambolic from start to finish
I was buying through purple bricks. They couldn’t contact their vendor half of the time. We got all the way to exchange for the whole chain, and then it all toppled because the vendor and purple bricks failed to know that the tenants weren’t leaving and they were just starting the eviction process. Bear in mind, when i viewed the property 3 months earlier, the agent said the tenants were just moving out.
I got caught out by the Tenants thing too once. We weren’t dealing with the rental, but I had let the letting agent know, actually checked the contract and dates with them, the solicitors were aware and everything. Suddenly it gets to a couple of days before completion, after contracts had been exchanged, and it turns out that not only has notice not been served, but the Tenants are out of the country for another week!
And yet somehow it turned out to be my fault! I still can’t figure out how… and this is 7 years on…
The For Sale By Owner site Purple Bricks have bought Mumsnet Accreditation by giving freebies.
I don’t think this is going to go down well with the wider mumsnet community.
The equivalent of telling a restaurant that there will be 10 food critics visiting tomorrow night, that they insist on booking table numbers 1 – 10 and they’ll be wearing big food critic badges. Joke.
“Along with our fantastic Trustpilot and Feefo reviews…”
Sorry? Feefo reviews?
WHERE???
PurpleBricks are not even listed on Feefo.
Great that those 10 given a free service received an adequate to good service. Such a pity the experiences of so many other Mumsnet users who paid for the service and were unknown to Purplebricks PR team until that point weren’t quite to that same new industry benchmark standard of praise.
It would be like knowing a food critic is coming into your restaurant, you’re going to ensure the service they receive is second to none.
I’m sure the LPEs etc had strict orders from the top to put extra care and attention to these customers.
But from my experience the progressors are only ever responsive, I’ve never had them proactively chase like we would. Although to be fair I know just as many high street agents that are the same.
100% of people yesterday I asked confirmed I was the best looking, funniest, sexiest, smartest and most intelligent estate agent of all time, not just regionally but nationally and on the world wide stage.
100%, get in!! not a single person I asked said otherwise, all of whom are in a very well know gossip girls type forum in the Cheshire Area.
Okay yes; I offered a half price fee package to get true honest feedback as motivation for them, but otherwise they may not have commented.
Boom – In the bag, turned it around, thought I had lost it…
(PS – Thanks, Mum, oh and say thanks to Nanna, Aunty J, Cousin Pauline, the Twins and Great Granny R – Love you all for always being so honest with me)
Well I guess you’ll put up with poor service if you’re on a freebie? Hard to complain when you’re not paying…..
So to achieve ”Mumsnet” accredited status, you simply have to offer the same atrocious service….but for free*?
*(‘Free’ right up until the point you factor in ‘x’ thousands of pounds off the eventual price achieved due to limited [if any] negotiation, lack of sales of progression, poor valuation, fall throughs, additional mortgage payments whilst a sale is awaited etc.)
Great to hear, well done PB and the LPEs.
‘There was praise for Purplebricks’ sales progression’
Not quite tallying with the naysayer high street agents who comment here.
”Well done” may be a little fanatical.
Afterall… this accreditation seems to have essentially been purchased.
Not so much purchased as identified. Here are 10 listings that have to be perfect in every respect. 10 out of 31,000 listings, a genuinely representative sample of 0.03% and seemingly not all of those went to plan.
A new trial starting with 10 new listings doesn’t represent the service, its like colouring inside the lines when teacher is walking round.
I suspect the deciding/pivotal factor for these ten customers was the ‘free’ element…
In so far as PB received very poor feedback on ”mumsnet”, it is questionable that had the follow-up service provided not been offered on a free/incentivised basis, the only angle that PB may have endeavoured to utilise would have been along the lines of ”Oh go on, give us another chance, I know we’ve been lambasted for our poor service, but hey, we can’t **** it up twice!”
Hardly a compelling case to attract customers…Hence I stand by intial comment that this accreditation was, to all intents and purposes, purchased.
Dom,
Purple Bricks had to offer the service out on a deal to ten people… they then knew who those ten were. They then concentrated their efforts on those ten, because they knew it would produce good reviews.
I’m putting this in simple terms for you to understand how this was another PR stunt from PB’s, okay?
Have a nice day!
Oh, one more thing as I’m enjoying being teacher to you today – the Earth isn’t flat 😉
Oh come on, hardly a fair/unbiased review, they clearly tried to ensure they did a reasonable job for these ones in particular.
Now then, play nicely. You musn’t say nasty sceptical things about dom’s bestest purple friends. You’ll make him all upset and put him off his golf stroke.
Hi Dom
Care to answer the question you’ve been dodging for weeks now ?
7am – first poster. Hilarious. Glad his mum woke him in time.
Dom it’s comments like this that really show what a complete imbecile you are.
These “naysayer” agents like myself have to deal with the abhorrent, elusive, incompetent and un-knowledgable, so called sales progression department of Purple*ricks on a weekly basis. More than your handful of experiences, more than a paid sample from Mumsnet.
So don’t disrespect those who have more experience of this than you. I have absolutely no want or need to slate anyone’s sales progression, I need good companies to deal with to aid our chains through. But they are without question, the most frustrating and useless sales progression department I’ve ever had to deal with.