I am urgently trying to buy a property in Lincoln. The above property came on the market and I requested an early viewing (this was on the 11th of November), I was told that the earliest viewing was Friday the 14th at 12.00. I requested an earlier viewing, but was told that this was the earliest, but I would be the first person to view it. On the Friday we arrived in Canwick early to walk around the village - we were very surprised to see another couple view the property before us (so much for being the first to view). The property was on the market for £89,950 - and after seeing the property indicated that we would like to proceed and would offer the full asking price. We visited their offices and had a protracted meeting with one of their Financial Advisors in order to go through the details and obtain an Agreement in Principle for a mortgage. We came fully prepared and had all the documents needed. The problem was that the owner lived in Australia and even though her brother was available, he was not able to make a decision. Later that evening we were contacted by McCabe to advise us that the other couple were preparing a similar offer - and that the owner wanted it to go to "sealed bids". The bids had to be by 12:00 the next day (Saturday), we were assured by McCabe that once it goes to sealed bids - there is no going back to an "auction" situation. - due to work commitments decided to make the bid on Friday evening - our offer was for £93,050. Shortly after 12:00 on Saturday McCabe contacted us that she was in receipt of the bids - but had to obtain approval from the owner, and this may take until Monday. McCabe told us not worry as there were no other viewings - once it goes to sealed bids - the winner is allowed to proceed. On Monday we contacted McCabe to be told that our bid had been accepted by the owner on the Sunday - meaning that the property should have been taken off the market as being sold STC. However McCabe did not do that - and she allowed another viewing, and this person offered £97,000, and was again accepted by the owner. Based on the "pack of lies" that McCabe continually told - and being perhaps cynical we believe that she told the new viewer what our bid was - and advised them that they needed to make a substantial increased offer so that the owner would change her mind. McCabe denies these allegations - but I do not believe her - she went on to say that we could perhaps make a higher offer - but we would then be entering into an auction situation for the property. We declined to do this. The ethics, integrity, and morals of people and organisations involved in this industry in general and especially with this company in particular are deplorable. I was lead to believe that the industry had cleaned up its image, and had become more respectable with "Gazumping" being a thing of the past - but that is clearly not the case. I only wish that there was another way to buy a house directly from the owner. In Scotland they have a different system that eliminates these kind of practices - and I can see the reasons why. Pygott - Crone are rated 12654 out of 12725 out of all the estate agents in England - meaning they are rated almost at the bottom - how they have been awarded "The Best Medium Sized Estate Agents in the UK", by the Times is just beyond me. I suspect it is one of those awards that can be purchased, or that there were no other contenders.