“We approached Easthams to view a property with a view ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 14,2017
By:
'KJLander'
Nov 14,2017
Branch: Preston, 206 Black Bull Lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: PR4
Branch: Preston, 206 Black Bull Lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: PR4
3
people found
this helpful
We approached Easthams to view a property with a view to renting. My partner is himself a landlord with a portfolio of 5 properties, however we were looking to make a move further Northwards. Whilst booking a viewing was relatively stress free and adequate processes were in place to ensure that we were met at the property by an agent, there were apparently a number of questions we should have been asked prior to this to establish our source of income and whether we have any pets. Understandable as the landlord has clear indicators of what is acceptable for his property. I informed the agent at that point that we had 2 cats who lived mainly outdoors and this wasn't considered a problem.
We were met at the property by a very polite young man and woman who had clearly never seen the property themselves. They were unsure of the layout of the building and any prohibitions on usage of the garage which was also advertised as a 'workshop' due to it's large space and mezanine office space. As such they were unable to answer most of the questions my partner and I had about the property.
After our viewing, I emailed the agents with some pertinent questions in relation to garage usage, the cats and whether it was oil-filled heating or gas and/or septic tank etc.
This was ignored so I then called the agent to go over details - he appeared to find my questions unnecessary and was more concerned with why we'd gone on a viewing to a property which did not accept cats under any circumstances. He then continued to probe me about mine and my partners working status and when I mentioned that we dabble in Amazon FBA (which means that THEY look after distribution and no couriers attend the address) and our established businesses are registered to permanent addresses; I got the feeling that he had taken an instant dislike to me and was dismissing me.
My partner and I are very busy professionals with a reasonably high joint income - we have limited time on our hands and it seems that Easthams had little regard for any of this and viewed us as a nuisance. Certainly I get the impression that their priority is their landlords and their service to tenants is a consequence of supply and demand. Very disappointing and rather rude.
I'm a professional trainer in customer service and sales impact - if ever there was a business that needed to understand the value of consistency across all customers it's this one.
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As discussed at the time, we were at the stage where we were making a choice between your property and another barn based on the responses to the questions we asked. As it happens; and at the time of writing this review we still hadn't had a response to these questions and hadn't even progressed to the application process - let alone be told that the landlord did not wish to proceed.
In fact we were informed if we wanted a second viewing this would not be permitted without paying an application fee...
We have actually made an application to the other property based on the excellent service and responses they have provided us with.
It seems that perhaps the inconsistency lies not in the information we provided, but in the comprehension of the facts given to your agents.
We are very much looking forward to moving into our new home and thanks once again for your response.
Regards