Agents’ ratings sites are one of today’s biggest talking points in the industry.
Allagents has set the pace, but is not without its critics. And it now has competitors.
One of them, Meet My Agent, has risen to our challenge by answering questions on today’s blog.
(For dawn readers of this site, the blog will not be available until about 8.30am.)
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Comments
You have either missed the boat or should have waited a few years before promoting it here.
There are hundreds of so called review site out there, but only a few actually make it and it takes years before they get proper recongition.
Allagents have certainly captured the market here, just like what rightmove has done.
@london agent
Not saying we are a regulatory body, but you were asking how we can be independent if we charge. I was trying to point out that us charging a subscription is analagous to regulatory bodies charging subscriptions yet still retaining their independence from agents.
Thank you for your clarifications, Liya. Seems fair and reasonable. Good luck with it!
@ liya
So you are now comparing yourself to a regulatory body as well?? you couldn't write this!
@london agent
As mentioned, estate agents list with the understanding that the feedback that they receive can be both positive and negative. I don't believe that any agent that lists would come off because of one negative review, but if they are consistently receiving negative reviews then I would understand that they would want to come off and that is ok - there are many other agents who do perform a good service and their feedback will reflect this.
I would just like to point out that NAEA, ARLA etc all take membership fees from agents and yet are still "independent" regulatory bodies. Consumers can settle disputes via these bodies, who often find in their favour, yet estate agents continue to pay for their membership fees.
@Desmond
We only list agents that have chosen to do so, and if they should choose to come off then we take down their listing and therefore their reviews as well.
i'm only going to be trusting agent-tracker.co.uk as it's the only website with VERIFIED REVIEWS.
At the moment, I only know of two professional and ethical review sites. The first is www.freeindex.co.uk; and the second is www.feefo.com. Freeindex is free, Feefo is expensive.
I presume Liya will say that she will not be blackmailed and if the agent wishes to withdraw its support/subscription then it is free to do so however existing reviews will continue to be displayed.
And let's not kid ourselves that allAgents are ethical or not seeking revenue from property agents. Very far from it.
Look at all those estate and lettings agents out there. I know, if we screw them all we could make millions! What shall we do? Property portal? A review site? Or shall we think of something new? And shall we be ethical, or shall we go for the millions?
@ london agent
That is a very good point you have made there!
Review sites should be generating their income from adverts, not agent subscriptions.
Perhaps this is something that the OFT should be keeping an eye on.
@liya. I did read it but it still doesn't answer my Question. So let me rephrase it.
What happens when a paying agent stops paying you their monthly subscription because they have a negative review that they want off.
Do you
a)keep the agent happy to get their money
B) tell them that it's remaining on the site and loose your income.
You CAN'T remain independent if your making money this way. It's misleading consumers that are trusting you.
As much as I hate to say it, but at least Allagents advertising strategy ensures they can remain independant from agents and more importantly trusted by the public.
Dear london agent,
These questions and more are answered on the blog - please do check it out!
Best wishes,
Liya
a new review site that thinks agents will pay them £25pcm to go on it when the allagents is free??
How on earth can this be independant from estate agents??
What happens when a negative review goes on, does the site look after the reviewer and loose £25pcm or does it keep the agent happy?
This site is clearly out to mislead the publics trust