Our property had been up for sale for over six months and the price was dropped a couple of times through our estate agent in attempt to renew interest. Out of nowhere my wife receives a call from Bairstow Eves great Barr branch who claim that they have a prospective female buyer that would like to view the property as the type of house and location is what they are interested in. Not being completely cynical we arranged for Bairstow eves to come round and value the property and discuss terms with them prior to the alleged buyer attending later that same day. When the representative arrived they complimented my wife and I on the condition of the property but straight away stated that to renew further interest in the property it should be marketed £5000 less than the current price. Trying to remain open minded we let the representative continue with her pitch. The next topic was commission. At this we explained what we had agreed to pay our current estate on completion of sale. On hearing this she produced a document with several sets of figures claiming that there fee would be £3250 plus vat, bringing the grand total to £3900. Completely shocked by this unreasonable offer and working out that was £1500 more than our current agent I asked her if they can do anything better. At this point she then makes the "standard"quick phone call to the branch. After a couple minutes the price was dropped to £3200 including Vat, however there terms would be that they are the only agency marketing the property. Still trying to catch my breath by the fee I asked her to account for the high cost and she explained that it was there standard fee due to all the marketing they would do on the property along with there call outs. However she did add we didn't need to complete a full term contract but just a one off viewing contract for this alleged female buyer. On hearing this I asked what would that fee be ( clearly noting that no marketing was completed or callouts conducted). She stated that would still be the same fee. Feeling that we were getting no where we then asked who this female was and if she would still be available. She contacted her office again and the female buyer had miraculously turned into a he and that they would not be available until the weekend. Frustrated and feeling very insulted that they have come round with what we believe was a lie and duping us with this "prospective buyer scheme " in order to get there foot in the door. The representative continued to offer a over priced fee hoping to prey on the fact that we are desperate to get rid of the property at any cost and thinking that we were born yesterday! Oh but rest assured they had are best interests at heart and not I repeat not there commission. Over the last 6 months we have dealt with several estate agents and on the whole I would say that most are poor.......but Bairstow Eves are a bunch of chancers and times wasters and clearly do not have sellers or buyers best interest at heart . They are going through right move selecting their next victims who they think are desperate enough to go with them......Believe me you can never be that desperate........Avoid them at all costs.