80% sales valuation accuracy
83% sales fee satisfaction
83% lettings valuation accuracy
78% lettings fee satisfaction
Jul 08,2014
Jul 08,2014
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
At first I found them very cooperative, I was informed before I put our property on the market they had people already on their books who would be interested in purchasing the property, 7 weeks later and after numerous viewing no one put an offer in, even though I was informed twice four couples would be putting an offer in I had to chase the agents to find out if they had, on one occasions I was told they hadn't had chance to ring any of the viewers because they were short staffed.
The week before I put the house on the market ,I was informed by shipways, we would need to have a energy (EPC) survey done on the property, I said I had already paid for one through another agent at the cost of £50.00 shipways said they did a free one and it would save me £94.80 if I had one done with them, so I cancelled the EPC survey with the other agent and thought I had saved myself £50.00.
So 7 weeks down the line I decided to take the property off the market, because it was obvious shipways were going to be able to sell the property. Two days later I received a letter and an invoice stating I owed them £94.80 for the EPC survey they had done. I telephoned Shipways to ask why I had been billed, when I was told it was free, they said no you have to pay, because according to them I had signed a contract saying I agreed to pay if I took the property off the market before the 20 weeks, I said this was never explained to me and the copy I have states I was going with another agents for the EPC, I said if this had of been explained to me properly I would have rather paid £50.00 instead of £94.80. this is a obvious lack of communication on their part.
With Shipways all the way through I have felt there has been a great lack of communication. I had to ask them to market the property better, especially when I found out Danes had sold a house in the same street within a week.
On another occasion they called me and said there was a couple already on there way around to my house to view it , and asked if they had already arrived , they said unfortunately they couldn't send anyone because they didn't have anyone available to send to accompany the couple around the house, I said well I am going out and was not happy they had took it on themselves to arrange this without consulting me first , I said well nobody had arrived, they said well could you wait in for them to arrive, they also said they would ring the couple, then ring me back. I waited and waited, I received no phone call back from shipways , neither did the couple turn up I was fuming.
On another occasion, I received a letter from Shipways bearing in mind at this stage they were already our estate agent, the letter I received was on shipways headed paper, stapled to this was our property details in addition to a copy of the branch managers business card. wrote across our house details in large red capital letters was " it obvious your estate agent isn't doing its job "Change" shipways number was attached and a reference number I would need to quote when I called them. When I called the number on the business card it was shipways estate agents, telephone number. So I explained what I had received and asked why they had posted this to me when you are already the estate agent, I said by sending this out to me all you are doing is making yourselves look very unprofessional and you are just showing yourselves up for how incompetent you really are. Of course they denied they had sent it. The branch manager said anyone could of taken one of her business cards, I said well I find that very hard to believe that someone has got hold of one of your letter heads as well as, one of your business cards, the branch manager said I need to investigate this and will be sending someone around straight away to collect them from you, I said you can have them after I have taken a copy of them which I did. within ten mins they were at my door asking for the paperwork.
Overall I must say I am not impressed with shipways they need to learn how to communication properly and explain everything in full.
I must say I found Hayley who works at shipways to be wonderful.
The week before I put the house on the market ,I was informed by shipways, we would need to have a energy (EPC) survey done on the property, I said I had already paid for one through another agent at the cost of £50.00 shipways said they did a free one and it would save me £94.80 if I had one done with them, so I cancelled the EPC survey with the other agent and thought I had saved myself £50.00.
So 7 weeks down the line I decided to take the property off the market, because it was obvious shipways were going to be able to sell the property. Two days later I received a letter and an invoice stating I owed them £94.80 for the EPC survey they had done. I telephoned Shipways to ask why I had been billed, when I was told it was free, they said no you have to pay, because according to them I had signed a contract saying I agreed to pay if I took the property off the market before the 20 weeks, I said this was never explained to me and the copy I have states I was going with another agents for the EPC, I said if this had of been explained to me properly I would have rather paid £50.00 instead of £94.80. this is a obvious lack of communication on their part.
With Shipways all the way through I have felt there has been a great lack of communication. I had to ask them to market the property better, especially when I found out Danes had sold a house in the same street within a week.
On another occasion they called me and said there was a couple already on there way around to my house to view it , and asked if they had already arrived , they said unfortunately they couldn't send anyone because they didn't have anyone available to send to accompany the couple around the house, I said well I am going out and was not happy they had took it on themselves to arrange this without consulting me first , I said well nobody had arrived, they said well could you wait in for them to arrive, they also said they would ring the couple, then ring me back. I waited and waited, I received no phone call back from shipways , neither did the couple turn up I was fuming.
On another occasion, I received a letter from Shipways bearing in mind at this stage they were already our estate agent, the letter I received was on shipways headed paper, stapled to this was our property details in addition to a copy of the branch managers business card. wrote across our house details in large red capital letters was " it obvious your estate agent isn't doing its job "Change" shipways number was attached and a reference number I would need to quote when I called them. When I called the number on the business card it was shipways estate agents, telephone number. So I explained what I had received and asked why they had posted this to me when you are already the estate agent, I said by sending this out to me all you are doing is making yourselves look very unprofessional and you are just showing yourselves up for how incompetent you really are. Of course they denied they had sent it. The branch manager said anyone could of taken one of her business cards, I said well I find that very hard to believe that someone has got hold of one of your letter heads as well as, one of your business cards, the branch manager said I need to investigate this and will be sending someone around straight away to collect them from you, I said you can have them after I have taken a copy of them which I did. within ten mins they were at my door asking for the paperwork.
Overall I must say I am not impressed with shipways they need to learn how to communication properly and explain everything in full.
I must say I found Hayley who works at shipways to be wonderful.
Comment on agent fees
never sold
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Feb 03, 2016
Gee, would be interested to know what made you choose them in the first instance? Would you be interested in featuring on an audio Skype interview to discuss your rating?
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Latest Reviews
18th Apr 2018
reviewed by 'Mrs'
30th Oct 2016
reviewed by 'Not'
9th Sep 2016
reviewed by 'Jacqueline'
Opening Hours
Address
Shipways
208 Stratford Road
Shirley,Solihull
West Midlands
B90 3AG
0121 744 4595
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 80% | 83% | £86,000 | £164,000 |
| Lettings | 83% | 78% | £550 | £1,350 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Oct 23,2018
Oct 23,2018
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Gary was highly customer oriented, shows a great collaboration, perseverance and passion in serving me. Honesty and Transparency were the two keys who Gary pursue in letting the property for me and my family. Because of that, I recommend Shipways for anybody want to let ...
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Comment on agent fees
It is reasonable and really affordable
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Nov 16, 2018
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(1)
Hi Mohammed
Many thanks for your kind feedback it has been a pleasure helping you and your family ...
Sep 03,2018
Sep 03,2018
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The lettings department is operating unethically and unprofessionally. They conceal the truth, fabricate circumstances and raise false hopes. Time wasters. They lie to both the landlord and the prospective tenants. No one answers the phone (that's for the sales and the lettings departments). I spoke ...
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Comment on agent fees
Bad Rip off!
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Apr 18,2018
Apr 18,2018
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
This review is based on my experience with the letting side of the Shirley Branch as a landlord.
Whist they did secure a tenant for my property, the level of communication (particular since the viewing and tenant agreeing to taking the property), has been virtually ...
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Comment on agent fees
The fees are about average - but to be honest if its based on communication then they seriously should look at reducing them!
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Oct 30,2016
Oct 30,2016
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I am not impressed with this agent. I initially met my landlord through a family friend and we were going to do everything privately. The landlord however decided to instruct these clowns to do the tenancy. I was bordering on harrassed to apply and take ...
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Comment on agent fees
For the service, the fees are a rip off.
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Sep 09,2016
Sep 09,2016
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I am writing a review for Paige Mc Gonigle, who is an agent at the Shirley, West Midlands branch of Shipways. Paige has recently, during the last few weeks, taken over from an agent who is now on maternity leave. The previous agent was very, ...
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Comment on agent fees
I believe the fees are within the 'normal' range for the type of properties I rent through Shipways, by comparison with other Letting companies - although I haven't made a comparison of fees during the last 12 months.
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Jul 13,2016
Jul 13,2016
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Cowboys. Tried to purchase property. Solicitor rang numerous times for deed of sale. Told it was sent. It wasnt. Tried to get hold of jaime she wasnt interested. Eventually got deed but wrong price on there!!!! Contacted jaime but she was off work after. Jemma ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
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Comment on agent fees
Bad
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Mar 16,2016
Mar 16,2016
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
i find chris blick to be very helpful,pleasant and very professional, he acts quickly at any matters that needs attention...
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Comment on agent fees
good
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Mar 11,2016
Mar 11,2016
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We had constant update and support from Amy from the time our house went on the market till it was sold.
Our house was on the market with another for just over 2 months and hardly any views, we then added shipways and Amy was on ...
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Comment on agent fees
Good compared to previous
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Feb 29,2016
Feb 29,2016
0
people found
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From start to finish Claire and Amy did their very best for us. The only complaint I have is when the photos were taken we had no warning therefore no time to tidy up. It would have been nice to have had say weekly phone ...
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Comment on agent fees
We did not shop around so really cannot compare, but we were quite happy.
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Feb 24,2016
Feb 24,2016
0
people found
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this helpful
Claire handled our sale great attention to detail. She was very assertive and always has a good can do attitude. Overall a very professional branch manager....
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Comment on agent fees
This agent is very knowledgeable and has a good friendly manner
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Feb 24,2016
Feb 24,2016
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Used Claire to help me buy various buy to let properties as well as tenant finds once the purchases were completed. Always very helpful and very knowledgeable. Always seems to go that extra mile to help. When ever I'm looking at investing I will only ...
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Comment on agent fees
Good
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Feb 18,2016
Feb 18,2016
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
As a first time home seller I found Amy's approach warm and welcoming. She guided me through any queries or concerns I had and made this whole new experience alot less painful then I had expected...
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Comment on agent fees
Fair
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Feb 16,2016
Feb 16,2016
0
people found
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this helpful
Shipways in Shirley Solihull have met all my requirements as a Landlord and more.
Chris in particular is always there for advise and will always keep you up to date regarding your tenancy contract.
I have no hesitation in recommending Shipways to other landlords.
Recently ...
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Comment on agent fees
Good
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Feb 15,2016
Feb 15,2016
0
people found
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Great service. Solid job. Have used multiple times over the last 3 years, always pleased with result. Many thanks.
PD - Landlord...
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Comment on agent fees
Competitive fees
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Jul 08,2014
Jul 08,2014
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
At first I found them very cooperative, I was informed before I put our property on the market they had people already on their books who would be interested in purchasing the property, 7 weeks later and after numerous viewing no one put an offer in, ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
never sold
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Yes
Feb 03, 2016
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(1)
Gee, would be interested to know what made you choose them in the first instance? Would you be interested in featuring on an audio Skype interview to discuss your rating? ...
Mar 16,2012
Mar 16,2012
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We rented via Shipways for over 2 years and found them to be a good, fair agent. Any problems with the house were always dealt quickly and professionally.
Sarah Danks in the Shirley office was really nice and always assisted us where ever required....
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