PAT M

What

Lorna at Vicenza

Is there a question somwehere in there Pat or is it an exclamation?

Anderson Council

Brief and enigmatic. I like it.

Serrano

What?

Anderson Council

Yes.

Pecora Nera

Dealing with Italian estate agents or any Italian office normally leaves one lost for words

Gio

?

labus

So what's the explanation for getting clients lost for words in an Italian office because of employees?
- low intelectual level?
- they're unionised and after they're hired it's all a dolce far niente?

I remember sometime in early 2000 I got into a bank in Rome to exchange some currency and the lady behind the counter was smoking sitting in her chair and drinking coffee. She took about 3-4 minutes after the client in front of me to call me. She did not do anything special during the short break. And she was not a govern employee.

You know, it's somewhat similar in Canda with public sector.
Heavy unionised, sit back jobs, slow pace... the only exception: they deliver what's needed and if they don't know something they escalate.

dina1965

just dealt with one recently. my theory ? they belong to the "take the money and run" category.

labus

with this rate probably at 8:00am it's one guy, an hour later the whole staff is replaced.

And also the employees seem to run very fast. Any smell of smoking rubber in the offices?

PAT M

Sorry my friends, I was called away before I could continue, profuse apologies to all. Actually though I was fuming and quite speechless so you got that right. We are unhappy with our estate agents as they valued our property at a certain price and subsequently convinced us to reduce by 15k.to attract a buyer and we agreed. That was two months ago, we were asked to go in for an aggiornamento yesterday, basically they are blaming one of their agents who no longer works for them (how convenient) for overvaluing the house in the first place, we pointed out what we paid for it plus monies spent on remodernising. "You paid too much for it when you bought it, and buyers aren't interested in embellishments that you have made". Tell me how much the house is worth in your opinion - "I don't know". In walks one of the agents who valued the house with his now ex-colleague, "I don't remember". She went on to rubbish the house in every way, I suggested to her not to be so negative with possible viewers. "I cannot get people to come along to see it at that price". We stuck at our asking price and asked her to let us know of any offers. We politely told them that we will send a disdetta/cancellation by registered post (raccomandata A.R)15 days before the contract with them expires (otherwise it will automatically be renewed). My rant is with their unprofessionalism - I know a house will sell if it's a bargain so why should we pay them a fat fee when we can sell at a loss ourselves. It is just a business transaction I know, but it is hard not to take it personally. I suspect one of their clients wants the house but at a stupid price, she is only interested in making a quick buck. Rant over. Thanks for reading and any comments are welcome.

Lorna at Vicenza

Unless you're about to be kicked into the poor house Pat, stick to your guns for a while longer and get that raccomandata written. Find another agent - or even more than one and try and sell privately at the same time.
Don't let their bullshitting and negativity get you down.
Best of luck.

Pecora Nera

Yup I agree. Don't drop the price find someone else. PS good luck

PAT M

Thanks Lorna, this forum is great for letting off steam.

labus

Aren't they paid commision as a % of the transaction? If yes, they are interested in getting the house sold at the highest price. There are some cases when they have a friend that is looking for a cheap house, but how many friends would he take and lose revenue on them?

It depends on how quickly you want to sell it, are you pressed by time?
If not, it's either wait longer with them without dropping the price or try with other real estate agency.