Dodgy Real Estate Agents and Dodgy Google Review System

Hey guys, as you recall back in September, I was gazumped by a dirty REA. The property I signed the Contract of Sale for, and submitted the 0.25% was later sold to someone else with a "Price Withheld". Now recently it's been shown that the property was sold for $5,000 above my signed offer. A few good lads here supported my genuine negative feedback on the Google Review:(g.co)

I was recently catching up with some friends for a pre-Christmas dinner and mentioned this story, they were frustrated hearing about the order and said they're happy to support my feedback with a thumbs up, only to realise the dirty REA seems to have wiped all the Google reviews from his profile.

I don't know if he registered and unregistered the google business profile, but he's clearly wiped away the negative feedback.

His new link now looks like this:(maps.app.goo.gl)

How does Google allow this?

Comments

  • +14

    Google removes review bombing. That's why it's never a good idea to jump on the bandwagon when people mass post 1-star complaint reviews. They end up removing the legitimate negative reviews too.

    https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773

    • +9

      so a business should just review bomb themselves and get all the bad ones removed?

      • +4

        That's thinking outside the box!

  • +3

    How does Google allow this?

    Great question. Let me know when you have an answer.

    • I've reported it to Google

  • +18

    Don't let stuff like this eat you. Many people in that industry are ruthless, without a care for how their conduct affects others. It's nothing personal to them - just money. Karma will take care of things.

    • +3

      Karma will take care of things.

      How do we notify them?

      • They will do so themselves - their behaviour will ultimately backfire.

      • -1

        The Korma also takes care of things… no notice is necessary

      • 11776 comments 😂🤭

      • +1

        How do we notify them?

        Karma's gonna get you(youtube.com)

      • +1

        I'd also like a phone number or email for Karma. Got a long long list of people and organisations that need sorting out.

        • +2

          I think his name is Luigi, but he's a bit tied up at the moment.

    • +7

      Sometimes, Karma needs a helping hand.

  • +23

    Dodgy Real Estate Agents

    So just Real estate Agents

    • So just Real estate Agents

      I was thinking this too….. I haven't met a 'good' one yet.

  • +1

    I feel your pain. We were gazumped on a unit not far from the beach in Coogee years ago. It leaves a bitter taste that lasts a lifetime.

    I thought gazumping was outlawed in NSW soon after our experience. Not so, reading this.
    https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/buyi…
    It seems the world of business thinks it is fair to leverage one buyer off another after a seller accepts an offer. Greed rules!

    • It leaves a bitter taste that lasts a lifetime

      Yes it does, to be honest i've been demotivated too look for properties since this ordeal as I thought we finally secured the family home.

  • +6

    Why would the agent be dodgy?

    Put it this way, if I am the seller, the highest offer wins the day - and I will take the highest offer than I can. The money is for me, my family and my cats - I want every single dollar I can get out of the buyer - legally - if that makes me ruthless, then so be it.

    If you want a house, then put up the agreed deposit and a certificate waiving your cooling off period - rather than a 0.25% hold which means literally nothing.

    In any case, the agent has to accept "my instructions" i.e they give me their advice and expert opinion, and I make that decision.

    Think about it, how much extra commission did the agent make by selling $5k higher than your price? (its like around $80) which is pretty much nothing and got a bad wrap for it, and now is in your black book for lifetime even though they probably did nothing wrong, all because the seller would be happy with an extra $4.9k in their pocket after the agent got paid (and that seller is someone like me).

    • Why would the agent be dodgy?

      Look up gazumping.

      It's no different to people selling Snake Oil back in the day…

      It's not illegal, but highly, highly immoral - and it's effects spread and makes everybody lose trust in eachother.

      • You'd probably do the same if it meant securing a property you wanted. Or if you were the vendor getting an extra $5k.

  • +8

    Google reviews - Take them with a grain of salt especially if it's your only source of forming an opinion.

    • -1

      Why? In most cases, they are legitimate reviews left by real people.

      Besides that, it's not difficult to tell fake reviews from genuine.

  • -2

    The snow glows white on the mountain tonight…

    The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside…

    Let it go, let it go
    Can't hold it back anymore
    Let it go, let it go…

    • +2

      I'd keep it down if I were you, or that real estate agent will come ask if you would like an appraisal on that well-positioned ice palace you got there.

      • +2

        and when you say "ice palace", we're talking about the operation in the garage, right? Shhhhh….

  • +1

    Google may have removed them due to threats of defamation from the agent

    • +2

      I think review sites should place a public notice on any reviews pulled for that reason, so the public gets to see why the review is gone, and who uses intimidation to remove reviews.Also IMHO they should notify the review author (if they can be contacted)
      OP You need to go to TrustPilot and Product Review and review Google Review. Drop the REA name in for good measure

      EDIT, maybe do a bit of research on TrustPilot, it seems there reputation has slid south lately. (Source Product Review)

  • +1

    Oh my, they are the most realestate agent looking realestate agents Ive ever seen.

  • +1

    Leave a review on ratemyagent.com.au but keep it factual, no emotional wording

    • You can't unless you have bought a property through them, or sold one through them - this is the issue

  • What do they make like 2% on the $5k? That is sad. Guy must have too many kids to feed if he needs a few extra bucks to make ends meet.

    • +1

      Seller made an extra $4900.

    • +2

      Such a low price to pay for such a large slice of integrity/morality/ethics.
      Oh well, at least his monthly sales figures earned him high fives in home office. Meh.

      • +1

        The vendor makes the extra money. The agent is 'employed' by the vendor not the buyer.

  • +1

    What is the legal position here? At what point is a contract legally binding? The Real Estate agent should be trying to get the best price for their client so if they are playing one purchaser off against another that is actually fair play. If they’ve told you that your price gets the property then there is something wrong here. They should be honest upfront about what position you are in with your actions.

    • +3

      I am guessing here, but unless the vendor has signed the contract, banked the deposit and sent the contract back to the buyer it will not amount to an enforceable contract. One of the condition of contract law is that both parties need to agree to be bound by the terms of the contract. So, unless a vendor conveys a signed contract they are not agreeing to be bound by the agreement, yet. It needs to be communicated. Difficult part here is that the agent said that the vendor has already signed the contract, and they were acting for the vendor. But this will amount to buyers words against the vendors words. Also, usually the RE contracts would specify the manner of formally communicating a contract, via email, etc. If that has not happened, then the contract has not been communicated.

      • +1

        It annoys me that the 0.25% deposit isn't really a deposit in the true sense. It doesn't lock anything in for you, its almost like a good faith gesture. So wtf is the point of it?

        • I see your point. A low deposit means that there isn't enough skin in the game. However, a deposit for a valid contract could be as little as a one dollar. Payment of consideration is essential for entering into a binding contract. In VIC actual deposit for real estate contracts is usually 10%. This is either paid or a bond is furnished by the purchaser for the amount. Contract goes unconditional only after 10% deposit is paid and all subject to finance, pest-inspection clauses have expired. Until such time it is easier for both parties can withdraw. But once the contract goes unconditional, it is difficult to get out of a contract.

        • So wtf is the point of it?

          To avoid tyre kickers wasting the agent's/seller's time.

          In the past, a real estate sales course would have something along the lines of the agent taking a potential buyer in their car to show them the for sale listings they have. …Do you have your cheque book with you? etc. etc. Yeah, of course vs Nah, I'm just here for the joy ride.

        • It annoys me that the 0.25% deposit isn't really a deposit in the true sense

          Correct, it's as useless as saying "I want this property" whilst walking by the house.

    • What is the legal position here? At what point is a contract legally binding? The Real Estate agent should be trying to get the best price for their client so if they are playing one purchaser off against another that is actually fair play. If they’ve told you that your price gets the property then there is something wrong here. They should be honest upfront about what position you are in with your actions.

      There's nothing legal dude, NSW (dunno about the rest of AU) is a sh1thole for buyers, we have 0 power in the game - 0 laws.

      • Agents can self-bid at an auction, legally (apparently as long as they declare it someone in size 2 fonts)
      • Paying for Property & Pest Inspections for a property means nothing for an agent or vendor, they can turn their back on you even tho you paid.
      • Sending a 0.025% deposit means nothing, they can return it
      • Signing a contract means nothing, unless the other party signs, they'll toss it in the bin.
      • Gazumping is not illegal but discouraged.
      • Running a Dutch auction on private sales is rampant despite discouraged by the government
      • Agents are not held liable for anything they say or tell you about a property, I had an agent tell me the neighbourhood is good and quite, only for a friend that lives in that street tell me they're all housing commission with some drug abuse at the rear homes.
      • +1
        1. Agents can self-bid? The agents don't self bid - it is a vendor's bid. The vendor is allowed only 1-bid and this is disclosed before the auction starts about the vendor bid, and is again disclosed if that right is exercised.

        2. The buyer does their due diligence and sadly the cost is on the buyer. In the scheme of things a few hundred dollars lost here and there when you miss out on the property is nothing when you are buying a property worth 6,7,8 figures. As a seller I have offered both property and pest report for viewing on inspection day to motivate buyers that the property is in sound condition. Again, each agent will guide the seller through the process and make recommendations.

        3. Yes you are absolutely right 0.25% means nothing and I am happy it means nothing - but if you really want the property, your lawyer/conveyancer can tell you to pay x% and a s.66W certificate and the house is yours.

        4. Gazumping is loved with sellers (and possibly buyers). I want the highest price possible and its not my agent's fault that they need to ACT on my instructions. Avoid being gazumped by having the courage to make an offer with a s.66W certificate. I know as a seller, I refuse to take any offers without this s.66W because it demonstrates a lack of conviction about their decision.

        5. You know what, I encourage my agent to consider any strategy that gets me the best price. I have had property listed for auction, which I have turned into an EOI when we knew there may be 2,3,4 people interested. I have authorised my agent ask all interested parties to put in their best offer with a s.66w by COB xx/xx.

        6. Yes you are right, all contracts say that you as the buyer have done all of your due diligence independently and relied on nothing the agent has said. If you need to ask the agent for advice, then you really aren't seriously doing your own home work / due diligence imo. If you want to live somewhere, at least visit the neighbourhood, walk about the block, see what it feels like walking around. See how other homes are maintained in the area, or what cars they drive. If you see 2 dumped cars or garbage on the streets you might want to question the area. You know the house might say it is close to shops, but is the walk up a steep hill? or crossing a busy road, or past a licensed brothel. Anyway, as I say, people need to do their homework.

        • -1

          OP needs to get their facts right and not let emotion take over. OP is not the first and won’t be the last buyer to miss out on a property. OP needs to let it go and move on.

  • Can you post your honest review in rea.com? Not sure what's up there but every agent got 5 stars… 🙄

    • Can you post your honest review in rea.com? Not sure what's up there but every agent got 5 stars… 🙄

      I contacted REA.com and they said unfortunately at this time, reviews are only applicable for vendors that have SOLD through the agent, or buyers than have settled/exchanged via the agent

      This is why Real Estate agent corruption is RAMPANT

      • +1

        Do I smell the familiar self regulatory aroma?
        It sounds just like the TIO etc. A white elephant diversion to filter out anything that would help the public see the obvious patterns of financial abuse of clients and customers, via dodgy and deliberate business tactics..

  • They probably closed the old profile and started fresh to dodge accountability. Sadly, Google doesn’t prevent this kind of reset. You could leave your feedback again on the new profile and encourage your mates to do the same. The more consistent reports, the harder it is for them to erase the trail.

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