Property entrepreneur Neil Patel, who founded OneMove, has spoken out after Estate Agent Today issued an appeal.
We hoped he would give his side of the story in response to claims that he has left the UK for a new life in Canada, leaving creditors behind in the UK, to whom he owes money. We are glad to be able to publish his reply, in the interests of fairness.
Patel posted up comments after our story appeared on Wednesday this week and also sent an email to editor Rosalind Renshaw.
His email, which gives his contact details, says he is not looking for publicity and says that Estate Agent Today is guilty of lies and accusations, and going to press without facts being clarified.
He also says it is untrue that he has run away or gone into hiding and says that Estate Agent Today knew all along where to contact him, via www.propertynewstoday.com.
In his email he says: “OneMove failed and no one more than me is disappointed, upset and distressed about it, but it doesn’t mean I have to stop learning and also try and earn a living to keep my family afloat, putting clothes and food on the table, a good old fashioned thing… As to OneMove, it was a genuine business that failed for many reasons that we can all draw our own conclusions from. I am also sincerely sorry to those who have been affected by our closure.
“Not that ‘sorry’ fixes anything but I am and will continue to deal with the matter in the way I see best. As for my vanishing act, which it isn’t, you will have read that sitting in an unfinished basement and trying to build a new life (BUSINESS) is NOT living lavish or pretending to do so.
“My only mistake is I went out with the real attempt to make a difference to see how I can make a change, even a small one. I got it wrong. Leading from the front and innovating in an industry that is still stuck in the dark years will lead to mistakes, failures, but it won’t stop others from trying nor will it stop me. As that in itself would be the biggest failure in me.”
Patel also said that Estate Agent Today is winning no fans in the industry, as apparently most of our advertisers are “on the edge” and are worried that if they do go bust, we will mock or attack them.
He added: "OneMove will be put in a liquidators hands once I can untangle some very personal matters." Patel strongly denied there had been any kind of scam or that he had run away, saying: "I am living in Canada legally with a work permit, with the full knowledge of Canadian immigration. I have done nothing criminal or illegal, and for it even to be suggested is slanderous to say the least. Putting my family first and writing a few innocent lines of my experience in a new country and a new beginning are being sensationalized to make it look like I am hiding or vanished are inaccurate and ludicrous. OneMove Ltd has ceased to trade and is currently exploring correct avenues to dissolve."
We would also like to acknowledge our readers who have been in touch or posted comments on this story.
Neil Patel speaks out
Latest Features
-
Property Natter - Here comes Summer.... or maybe Autumn?
We all know that first-time buyers have had a tough time...
-
Renters Reform? What about the tax bill?
There was a long-awaited return to the House of Commons this...
-
Clarity needed on Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill report
Last weekend a story by The Sunday Times’ Deputy Political Editor...
Sponsored Content
-
Ready or not, the digitally enabled consumer is here...
Changes to consumer behaviour usually arrive in waves. Most of the...
-
From estate agent to residential building surveyor. ...
With a combined value surpassing £7.4 trillion, the UK’s 29 million...
-
Stamp duty cut - much needed boost or short...
The Government’s mini budget on September 23 was anything but ‘mini’...
-
Property Natter - An Englishman's home is his castle.....more or less!
Interesting report this week in Estate Agent Today on an analysis...
-
AML warning as hundreds of agents hit with HMRC fines
An anti-money laundering (AML) expert has queried why there is a...
-
Industry Views - Airbnb Crackdown - this time it's not just Michael Gove...
It’s tempting to think that Michael Gove’s proposed clampdown on Airbnb-style...
-
Law Society faces backlash over material information forms
The Law Society is facing backlash from conveyancers after issuing new...
-
AML warning as hundreds of agents hit with HMRC fines
An anti-money laundering (AML) expert has queried why there is a...
-
Average estate agent fees hit £4,500 to £10,300 - claim
A new analysis of the cost-of-moving suggests that the typical seller...
60 second interview
Jake Gann, Sales Director at Bamboo Auction
Who are you and what does it say on...
Ashley Day - Director of Bristol Property Centre
Who are you, and what does it say on...
Graham Paterson ‘Co-founder and CEO of Jitty’
Who are you and what does it say on your...
Comments
Right anyone in the property industry - he has a new property business - www.propertydealtoday.com so watch out you dont get stung
#onemove_neil_patel
#www.propertydealtoday.com
#webidiotz
He now has a new business - exact same offer as OneMove almost. Manitoba 1000 / Webidiotz. What a joker.
Neil Patel unfortunately is dangerous because he is just fundamentally untelligent and selfish but doesn't actually think he is. This leads to him starting new business ventures with his own best intentions convincing other to join his crusade, but then just months afterward he will begin to become agitated with the lack of progress of on his badly laid plans/results for the businss idea and lose patience and get bored.. His planning is appalling, his lack of market research, cost control,his eye foe detail and people management skills are non existent...He plays out unrealistic success in his head and convinces himself without any of the above that it is just going to happen..madness... When this success doesn't come his decision making becomes haphazard and desperate and begins to fall out with those around him..sudden changes of direction will occur without consultation or thorough thought for investors or business partners.. He will justify these actions to himself by stating that investors new what they were letting themselves in for, and will often blame others around him... He is very much like a spoilt immature child that plays with an expensive toy, breaks it, leaves it in a mess/discards it, and then goes off to play with something new with out a care or thought for anyone clearing up the mess.. he learns nothing from previous failed businesses and then has the audacity to resurface somewhere else talking about new beginnings..that is not the actions of someone who is genuinely sorry because he stills believes it wasn't his fault that again things went wrong..so when someone is that out of touch with reality and the sentiment of others that makes him very dangerous..
Posted By Poor old estate agents on Saturday 20th September 2008
shocked, who ever this neil patel guy is... Estate Agents have been liars, cheats ... to write about estate agents.
Bet the author of this post is a traffic warden! :D
I sincerely hope the people who have suffered will receive some recompense, and it would be heatwarming to hear about that at a later stage. In the meantime, Mr Patel has finally written a far more humble text, without the brash arrogance displayed in previous writings. It is a sorry tale of vision and peoples gullibilty, greed, and the market downturn rolled into one horrible mess. I am certain some of us may be thinking 'there but for the grace of God go I', while we all try and hang on in! This is a tough time and lets all work together on promoting our industry and reputation. To the writer who hates all estate agents may we remind him there are many reputable agents and this industry is not alone in suffering the odd negative story!
I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK FROM THIS AND LOOK AT THE FACTS. ALL THE INVESTMENT WENT INTO THE PLC ONEMOVE TECH WHICH AQUIRED ONEMOVE AND ITS BRAND ETC FROM NEIL.APART FROM NEIL AND HIS MARKETING DIRECTORS MONEY NOT A SINGLE PENNY HAS GONE INTO THE UK BUSINESS ALL THE INVESTORS STILL HOLD SHARES INCLUDING STAFF AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THE PLC AND HAVE NOT LOST OUT. THE PLC IS STILL TRADING SO IN THE LONG TERM WE ALL WILL SEE A RETURN. NEIL SOLD BACK ALL HIS SHARES IN MARCH. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN HE HIMSELF HAS FUNDED THE COMPANY AND THE MARKETING DIRECTOR INVESTED WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE FACTS. IF THE MARKET HAD NOT CHANGED I AM SURE OTHERS WOULD HAVE BACKED THE BUSINESS.
NEIL IS ALSO IN THE MIDDLE OF PUTTING TOGETHER SOLUTIONS FOR ALL HIS CREDITORS WHICH MAY HELP REDUCE THE LOSES MADE AND IN FACT COULD BRING BACK MORE THAN MOST HAVE LOST.I AM ALSO AWARE THAT NEIL HAS OFFERED TO MAKE GOOD WITH HIS MARKETING DIRECTOR. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF NEIL DOES NOT IN ANY WAY REFLECT THE COMMENTS BEING MADE ON THIS WEBSITE. YES STAFF AND BUSINESSES CONNECTED TO ONEMOVE HAVE SUFFERED BUT NOT AS A RESULT OF NEIL BEING A CHEAT AND A LIAR. YES NEIL HAS MADE MISTAKES THAT IS CLEAR AND MAY BE A FEW CLOSER TO THE BUSINESS LIKE HIS STAFF WHO ALSO PLAYED A ROLE IN THE BUSINESS NEED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THEMSELVES. THE END RESULT IS THE MARKET IN MY OPIONION PLAYED THE BIGGEST ROLE IN ONEMOVE FAILING.
NEIL IS A THIEF....
NEIL IS A CHEAT..... CHEATING AGENTS OUT OF THEIR MONEY ! !
NEIL IS A LIAR !!!!!!
WHAT EXACTLY IS HE SAYING... AFTER FAILED BUSINESS ATTEMPTS BEFORE... PROFESSING TO HAVE MADE FANTASTIC MONEY FROM SELLING MADISONS ETC I WAS CURIOUS SO LOOKED UP MADISONS ESTATE AGENTS ONLY TO FIND THAT IT WAS LIQUIDATED... HE ONLY SOLD THE NAME SO HE IS A DAMN LIAR IN THE FIRST INSTANCE....AND THE FACT THAT HE LATER AT ONEMOVE GOT ONE OF HIS POOR COLLEAGUES TO INVEST AS WELL..... AT THIS STAGE KNOWING DAMN WELL HE WAS ABSCONDING TO CANADA... WHAT A TOTAL LACK OF MORALS...HE IS NOTHING BUT A LYING, CHEATING, DAMN GOOD FOR NOTHING PIECE OF RUBBISH YOU ARE MR PATEL I FEEL DEEPLY SORRY FOR ANYONE WHO COMES INTO CONTACT WITH YOU AND FEEL SORRY FOR YOU WIFE AND CHILDREN ! !
Woudl Mr Patel, please advice his former clients, debtors etc the exact details of his solicitor and information regarding his offical windup/ dissoltion of the business so that we can draw a line beneath this rather dreadful situation......
Well what a total lack of respect you have shown to your former employees, friends and clients, Neil...... Oh what a damn shame, countless lies, promises etc etc etc and not a single word from you... you left your agents without a trace ! ! ! took their money and RAN ! ! ! , or rather FLEW ... most probably first class ....how dare you say that you left openly and no disguise... You made a 12 month contractual agreement with us as your clients and all you have done is ROB us ! ! These extracts and people coming out of the woodwork is highly enlightening as to what a complete charlitan you really are... I think you'd be better off as a second hand car salesman and perhaps I am even doing their reputation a misfortune at that !!
shocked, who ever this neil patel guy is should get a medal on behalf of the uk population. If it is true which from reading it doesn't seem to be. Estate Agents have been liars, cheats and have done nothing to improve for decades. Now we know what you do with our commision we pay. Sit in your fancy offices making even more peoples lives a misery. I just wish some one made a site for 60m people to write about estate agents.
It reads that you are looking for someone to blame, if you invested, signed up to Onemove, choose him as a best man. It was a decision you made so blame yourself. This guy doesn't seem to be in hiding either and holding his hands up. Hasn't this market taken enough of us down already, people are losing jobs, money and much more.
This company came to see me with their so called 'fantastic; offering, anyone looking further than the apparent 'saving' could see that the sums and the risk to client confidentiality just didn't stack up. If you took the risk you were willing to take the profit, so accept you made a bad decision, got taken in by a very good salesman and live with it.
Having a little personal experience of this man, he has begged,stolen, and cheated alot of people out of there hard earned money. dont feel sorry for him i hope he rots in hell.
Is this what the professional industry does, no wonder you are the most hated animals on this planet. I suppose most of you are perfect and never made a mistake, take a look in the mirror and grow up.
Whilst I fully appreciate that OneMove LTD failing is a failure. I also understand that businesses have lost out in the process and I also take 100% responsibility. I have also made a public apology and stated that this does not fix any thing.
What I need to make clear is, I have not once taken any money or lied in any way to solicit investment. I have all ways 200%, right or wrong believed in the businesses I have run or found. A large amount of investment was made into OneMove by myself personally, my family, OneMove Tech and staff and friends. At no point did I represent false numbers and had every intention of making it a success.
A scamster, does not buy back his company and sell back 5.6m shares, being one of three largest share holders of a PLC and take on debt in March 08 and leave a very comfortable position. Please no one take this as I am looking for sympathy or support but it’s fair to say every one has the right to respond and defend them selves.
I have also kept in touch with most creditors and informed them at what is going on and it is my intention of some how making it good, or at least I will try when I am ready. I tried in vain with all involved in my business to keep things afloat and also offered many solutions to all around which may have ended in a better ending. But the telling factor was the market; I suppose I will take the heat for that as well.
Nearly all businesses live behind a LTD shield in the event of a business failing its common practice very legal. I have not left my responsibilities behind and left thinking it will all go away. Canada is that last place I want to be right now, but I have twins 17 months old and my wife is 8 months pregnant and her family live here. She had a very difficult pregnancy and delivered at 27 weeks, babies less than 2lbs last time. So putting every thing aside my wife wanted to be here. Please do not for one second again think I am looking for pity or pats on the back or even remorse. The world is too small to run away from any thing.
I have and will not pretend to say or act I am a great businessman, entrepreneur but what none of you will kick out of me is the will to keep trying. I may even get it wrong again. That’s not a crime in any way, every investor is a grown adult who make there own decisions and yes, lots had faith in me to make good, but like billions out there I got it wrong and for that I have made my apologies.
As for facing the music I’m not in hiding and I am here responding to you.
Aine I am honestly sorry that you and Michael feel that way but there are two sides to every story, which like you I don’t want to air in public.
Kristina writes: "Thumbs up for his courage"
What COURAGE?! To leave a tangled mess behind and then gloat at his luxurious life whilst plotting his next (millions?) I meant - dubious 'business' plan. I think not. He needs to look long and hard at himself and rework his thinking. In his own mind he is an Entrepeuner - the REALITY is he is not anything of the kind. Come back and face the music and we may find respect for you Neil.
Brilliant! Loving Mr Patel's atrociously written messages accusing others of being 'unintelligent' :D
Did he demonstrate as much attention to detail in his business I wonder? It could be the reason behind it's failure!
Neil Patel: Quote:I suppose the office that is having a laugh at my expense is also doing lots of business and is the leading agent in town and a respected professional, NOT!:Unquote
They may well be, and it must irk you to know that they still have a business making money without leaving people in debt and with a strong reputation that has lasted for years and will continue to do so. And where are you exactly Mr Patel? Business good? Are you the leader? Are you the best agent? Where are your businesses? Are you really an 'Entrepeuner'? in the true sense? You have left a trail of debt and reneged promises in your wake as you always do. A repeated pattern. Be warned Canada!!!!
Interesting to see so many of the same views that people have about Neil Patel.
Neil wormed his way into mine and my husbands life many years ago and although it has cost us thousands and thousands- I won't air my dirty laundry on line- our biggest regret was making him our Best Man at our wedding.
He certainly had us fooled both personally and professionally.
Future business partners please beware, he's not to be trusted.
I believe this poor man should be given a fair trial. He has lost all credibility and has no business to speak of and is now by all accounts trying hard to regain some status. It is a sad reflection that he has not endeared himself to the readers and to the industry. I am certain however we will see Mr Patel bounce back as CEO of another company before long. Once he digs himself out of the basement...;)
Furthermore, this man does have vision and although he may have screwed up more than once who is to say we may well be looking at someone who in the right arena could make a business last, make money and not be ridiculed. At the very least he TRIED and that is admirable in itself. Unfortunately, if reports are accurate many people lost money believing in him. Harsh.
How old are you lot really??
My own personal experience of dealing with OneMove was traumatic to say the least. I made the right decision and advised the director not to proceed with subscription. I based my decision purely on the unprofessional and incompetant service i received before we had even joined!!
By the way Mr Patel, you owe me £50.00 plus VAT!
give this poor Neil guy a break! we all human and bound to make mistakes, let him get on with his life. if you still doubt him, take a step back and look at where you are yourself. Thumbs up for his courage and putting his family first!
If the agent who is making wild, baseless and fact less comments with out any facts please make your self visible or at least email me so I can have my lawyer write to you. As I have said before I will not tolerate personal insults of a nature that are damaging to me personally and are complete lies.
I have been two England many times in the past few months and will continue to do so.
It is still such a disappointment that we have unintelligent individuals in our industry. Who clearly has nothing better to do? Than hide behind screens and write pathetic comments to entertain there boring lives.
It is a shame that a minority will all ways brings down the hard work of other professionals trying to lead our industry into a better era.
Thanks Mr Flanagan and to the other numerous emails I have received from agents who most I have never met or spoken to. It seems that some agents seem to think they are above us who are working at keeping our businesses afloat thru these very difficult times.
I suppose the office that is having a laugh at my expense is also doing lots of business and is the leading agent in town and a respected professional, NOT!
I'm surprised that agents took to the offer. It's success depended on instant critical mass. Without this they would of always been playing catchup.Even rightmove took a number of years to build up.
Neil Patel, you are a liar, thief and yes mate you did do a disappearing act. Can't wait for you to get back to the UK. How about selling agents private client information eh? Our clients are being hounded by solicitors, loans companies etc. Tut tut, I am sure the police will want to speak to you about this.
I dont know Mr Patel but the dealingss i had with his company were very professional. Also I agree that in a better markert his model might have worked, it is a great shame his bussiness has failed and affected other agents but if he tried his best then lets not make hunt him like this. Good luck to us all hanging in there.
This saga is getting better by the moment. Does Neil Patel really expect us all to take him seriously?
Well!! From a glass topped desk studying for Realtor exam and surveying all around him last week, boasting of his wonderful life - to languishing in a basement (sob) trying to rebuild his life (BUSINESS) today. Hmmmm. Good to see Estate Agent Online gave the 'great one' an opportunity to redeem himself, sadly he failed to deliver an impressive defense, more a pathetic bleating. Keep Going Neil, in the doom and gloom we would love to be given some light refreshment in the form of your blog...which also mysteriously disappeared...bring it back!! Best laugh in this office for ages!!!!