Topic ID 1426
Has anyone noticed the cheap "Sponsored by Steven Oates" signs that have gone up outside Abel Smith School? They're basically "For Sale" signs that have had the words "For Sale" replaced with "Sponsored By". It looks rubbish.
Reply ID 17639
quote:Would have thought Mr Oates could have done better than that.
Originally posted by Steve
Has anyone noticed the cheap "Sponsored by Steven Oates" signs that have gone up outside Abel Smith School? They're basically "For Sale" signs that have had the words "For Sale" replaced with "Sponsored By". It looks rubbish.
Reply ID 17640
Mr Oates is no longer anything to do with Stephen Oates estate agents. I think its a bit harsh rubbishing a local company that is obviously putting money back in to the local community. Even if it is a marketing exercise.
Reply ID 17647
quote:It was a flippent comment, I'm sorry if I offended anyone. Of course I am supportive of local businesses sponsering the local community. By the way, they were great with my house sale and use them for the next so nothing against them personally.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Mr Oates is no longer anything to do with Stephen Oates estate agents. I think its a bit harsh rubbishing a local company that is obviously putting money back in to the local community. Even if it is a marketing exercise.
Reply ID 17648
You didnt offend me so none taken. I just thought I would stop the "lets have a pop at Estate Agents" thread.
Reply ID 17658
why not have a pop at them?
Reply ID 17660
quote:Because they are putting money back in to the community, because you need them to sell your house, because not all of them are muppets. Because they give unqualified school leavers a chance to earn a decent crust. Because they are easy targets. And no I am not an Estate agent!!!
Originally posted by thefair1973
why not have a pop at them?
Reply ID 17661
Sounds like you once were though. :)
Reply ID 17662
I may have worked a guy that now runs/owns one of the more reputable agents in the town for a while after I left school yes!! But I think you knew that already. I was also a City Broker and they really are a bad bunch! [:D]
Reply ID 17806
Take a look at this then! Scary. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4826444.stm
Reply ID 17807
I would have thought that you would have been a little more careful than to add that link to a topic regarding a local business Steve. I hope they do not take offence.
Reply ID 17808
a damn good article though. I'm looking forward to watching that tonight (after the football has finished, obviously!). No doubt absolutely nothing will happen to any company involved anyway. I was interested to see that Foxtons agents only get paid £10k basic salary. No wonder tehy charge you nearly 3% agency fees as sole agents and nearly 5% as multi-agents. Great website though
Reply ID 17809
quote:The first three posts were in direct relation to one specific local business, all the other posts are in relation to Estate Agents in general, including Steve's.[:)]That was written with a friendly tone, Victor, not a rant![:)][:)][:)] I've read the link and am amazed at how the firms mentioned are apparently getting away with unscrupulous/illegal practices. I do belive that estate agents should be regulated and should advise their clients (vendors and buyers) more effectively. I know someone who put in an offer on a house in Hertford (not via Steven Oates) and was told to place "their best and final offer". The winning bid (not theirs) was a scorchingly over the odds and doubtless made the vendor and the estate agent happy. What's really interesting is that when we bought our place - through the same estate agents - we were presented with the same situation. Who's to say there were any other bidders? Why did the estate agent not advise the bidders on apt pricing or absolute value of the house? (after a greater commission perhaps...) Why did the buyers bid so much is another question which relates to common sense and affordability. The property prices in that particular road will now leap up and comments made with regard to London/City Money on the Housing Development thread will soon also apply to a standard two-up two-down house. Needless to say I shall try to avoid using that estate agent again.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
I would have thought that you would have been a little more careful than to add that link to a topic regarding a local business Steve. I hope they do not take offence.
Reply ID 17812
My friend is a very successful property developer in London. He is very clear that his business deals are 50% sourced from unscruplus estate agents who regularly plies with cash,gifts and holidays. Its standard practise from evey property developer in the country, why else do these development opportunities etc never appear in the paper or website...backhanders are rife, in Hertford like anywhere else, i have no doubt.
Reply ID 17819
We were actually shown around a "development opportunity" in Hertford when we were looking for a place. We were told by the agent that we would need to offer the asking price or the bid would be turned down. We went below and was told it was rejected. Weren't iterested in persuing it at the asking price as it needed a lot of work. Imagine my suprise when I find it actually sold to a builder for £20k less than we offered. We didn't bother going through estate agents after that and managed to negotiate a private deal for our current place.
Reply ID 17829
An old friend of mine is an estate agent. He has undervalued properties that were bought by developers. Dispicable.
Reply ID 17830
I'll bear that in mind for when I'm looking to move Ewoowar. I'll PM you and see what he has available [;)]
Reply ID 17834
Surely this is all a little OFF TOPIC as Admin would say. The thread title is "Sponsored School".
Reply ID 17835
The topic title is indeed 'sponsored school' and as a parent with children at Abel Smith I have not got a clue what Stephen Oates have done to warrent the naff signs that have appeared!
Reply ID 17837
I stand corrected - Mrs Densian has pointed out that they sponsored the recent quiz night (3rd march) to the tune of 100 quid. £100? 3 weeks advertising? - seems like a bargain to me!
Reply ID 17838
quote:If people are that upset about them, has anyone contacted East Herts Planning Enforcement to see if the signs comply with planning regs? They do rely on a lot of these things being brought to their attention by members of the public. I managed to walk past them twice before realising where they were, but then I'm not the most observant of people!
Originally posted by Leo Densian
I stand corrected - Mrs Densian has pointed out that they sponsored the recent quiz night (3rd march) to the tune of 100 quid. £100? 3 weeks advertising? - seems like a bargain to me!
Reply ID 17839
Granted £100 is not a great deal for advertising, but considering the amount of for sale and sold boards they already have up around the town, do you really think that a few more outside a school on a no-through road will make a great difference to how many people they have through there doors?? I seriously doubt it. Or should the school have said sorry, keep your £100 and little Johnny will have to make do with playing with all last years sports equipment? Would it have been any better if a Docters or Dentists had stumed up the money and put a couple of signs up?
Reply ID 17840
Doesn't Shepherds sponsor a fete at Mill Meade school during the summer? I'm sure it's their signs I see hanging along the railings every year. It seems to make sense for schools to seek sponsorship for events wherever it's available and perhaps Abel Smith have recognised that Stephen Oates might want to do something to match their rival's community work. Or perhaps the owner has a child at the school?
Reply ID 17849
I think Ensum Brown (Ware) sponser the fete at the Bengeo junior school.
Reply ID 17852
Is this really a problem? I don't think it is as bad as the estate agents boards left attached to walls near properties long after the sale has completed. At least the school will take the signs down after the event.
Reply ID 17912
You are right Victor - their unsightly boards will not drive a lot more people through the doors so in that case why bother? European Cars stumped up £200 - twice as much - for the Abel Smith Christmas Fair and were happy with a credit on the programme. Dont get me wrong - I am pleased that Stephen Oates are donating to the school but it just seems that they really want their money's worth - perhaps its just part of the estate agents code. It just smacks of 'does a lot of work for charity but doesn't like to talk about it' to me.