I haven't had a good experience with this agent and I think that other potential buyers should know about what they are like before they deal with them. So please see the string of emails below between myself and the agent. Sensitive information such as my name, address of the property and amount offered have been removed and replaced with X's: 09/01/2014 --12:51, Buyer Wrote: Dear Alex / Michael / Office Manager Following your calls today regarding the other person who has made the same offer as me at asking price of £XX and has since increased it to £XX in order to win the bid. After speaking with the solicitor that I've put in place to handling the conveyancing, I've been told that what you have done is unethical and is known as gazumping. I offered asking price on 7th January (following the viewing on 6th January) and you told me the offer of £XX was accepted. On the same day I sent you the email below to confirm my mortgage in principle. Therefore no further viewings should have been arranged and no further offers should be considered. Your website states that you are a member of the Property Ombudsman and I have looked into the complaints process. I will follow this complaints process with my solicitor if my offer is now declined because someone else has made an offer and you are telling me that I have to raise my offer by more than an extra £XX in order to be in the running to win the property. I am really looking forward to moving into the property and I'm extremely disappointed that this has happened, particularly from an Estate Agents that appeared to be an ethical and decent company. I look forward to your immediate response on this matter. Should I not hear from you today I will proceed with the complaints process. If you would like to meet in person to discuss this matter I can visit your offices this week. Regards ----------------------------------------------------------- On 09/01/2014 18:26, Mike wrote: Dear Thank you for your email. Regrettably your offer was eventually declined as the seller has decided to proceed with the other offer. Raine and Co as an Estate Agency has to comply with a lot of legislation. The seller pays us and is therefore our client, part of the legislation we have to comply with relates to working for the best interests of our client, this means finding the best buyer our client. This does not always mean the highest price as the financial position etc have to taken into account. The other party was in exactly the same situation as yourself both in terms of position and finance so the owner decided to go with the higher offer. It is their right to do so and their decision which offer to accept and then proceed with. We can assure you that Raine and Co is completely transparent and complies with all legislation, we have been selling properties since 1992 and are proud of the recommendations that we receive. The circumstances regarding "XXX" are not due to our actions but are due to the current market conditions. If you feel that you wish to make a complaint to The Ombudsman that is your prerogative, we have all correct paperwork in place and correspondence the seller instructing us how they us wish to proceed. Regards Michael Raine and Co On 10/01/2014 10:08, Buyer wrote: Dear Mike Thank you for your reply. However this seems to be a nice way of you telling me that I have been gazumped, you're just not using that particular word. I appreciate that your client (the seller) is your priority because that's where your commission comes from. You clearly have no regard for the buyers which is disappointing and I will ensure that I do not recommend you to anyone I know. Thank you for ruining my week. Kind regards