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A prominent estate agent has hit back at online rivals who claim that they will handle as much as 70 per cent of house sales in future, by warning them of the fate of others who have tried and failed to dislodge the traditional agency model.

Cheshire agent Maurice Kilbride told EAT: Over the last 20 years I've seen any number of entrepreneurs claiming to revolutionise the industry come and go, ranging from petrol stations offering do it yourself packs to Asda, Tesco and even solicitors. So this is nothing new.

He says the statistics show at least 93 per cent of sellers choose a high street agent despite a wide array on internet low-cost or no-cost websites being available even before new entrants move in, proving people are not impressed with faceless online agents.

Kilbride takes up the theme in his latest blog where he writes that while good estate agents will embrace technology and change - my own business is constantly evolving to embrace the very latest online marketing including the use of social media - there may be a backlash from the public about the so-called call centre mentality.

People want to feel valued and important, not just be a number holding at queue position seven' waiting to speak with someone who doesn't know or has never met them or have any real interest in them, but merely read out scripted replies in a monotone manner writes Kilbride.

He concludes by saying: High street agents, fear not. As long as you embrace change and competition, there is actually enough business for both to thrive side by side without the need for ridiculous claims on either side. Let the consumer choose. They are actually intelligent enough to make up their own minds.

Comments

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    Well said Maurice - underestimate local knowledge at your peril!

    • 14 April 2014 10:55 AM
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    Obviously guest MW doesn't drive a Bentley...........he can't be very good at his job then !! :)

    • 14 April 2014 09:26 AM
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    [i]"People want to feel valued and important, not just be a number holding at queue position seven waiting to speak with someone who doesnt know or has never met them or have any real interest in them, but merely read out scripted replies in a monotone manner writes Kilbride."[/i]

    WOW. He was on one there, wasn't he. If he wants to be so ridiculous then he will presumably accept the generalised observation of his own craft, that it is populated by people sitting in their offices waiting for the phone to ring and only taking their heads out of the sand to take their Bentley for a spin round the block to bone up on their already 'exquisitely perfect local knowledge'.

    If that offends you then it's time to reel in the likes of Kilbride, who do your industry no favours whatsoever.

    • 14 April 2014 08:25 AM
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