easyProperty to stage ‘funeral’ procession to mark ‘death’ of high street agent

| Rosalind Renshaw

A ‘funeral’ is due to be held tomorrow to mark the “death” of high street estate agents.

The event, likely to draw criticisms of being of doubtful taste, is being organised by online agent easyProperty.

The publicity stunt is due to be held in London, starting outside a Foxtons’ office and will consist of a three-mile funeral procession led by easyProperty boss Rob Ellice and followed by some 40 people dressed up as pin-striped estate agents, complete with New Orleans-style jazz band. Its route will take the parade through areas with several estate agents’ office.

Media have been invited along to provide coverage of the event.

* This story appeared on another website but has since been taken down.

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75 Comments

  1. julianodell
    September 28, 2015 at 07:19

    What a crass idea. I train agents throughout the UK and they are not deserving of the outdated criticism and stigma that frankly are a throwback to the 1980’s. I also know a number who are dealing with serious personal challenges, including my wife who had to retire from being an estate agent due to her terminal illness. I will be doing my best to keep her unaware of this tasteless publicity stunt.

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    1. realpundit
      September 28, 2015 at 15:31

      As per usual, easyproperty is late to the party.

      Online agency – doing a great job of making cheap look incompetent.

      Crazy valuations – Purplebricks blew them out of the water, and with a credible investor

      Publicity stunts – Transferwise already marched through London’s streets declaring the death of ‘fees’ charged by banks for currency transfers.

      Note: Transferwise maintained some dignity by mourning the death of unfair fees, and not the bankers…

      Report
  2. GPL
    September 28, 2015 at 07:28

    Shameful Ellice!

     

    A step too far.

     

    Although based on this shameful procession Mr Ellice may well stoop to the beheading of an Estate Agent next.

     

    Is there nothing that this idiot won’t try for self/business promotion

     

     

     

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    1. realpundit
      September 28, 2015 at 15:33

      It’s just desperation… Purplebricks, and even Emoov, are outmarketing easyproperty.

      I have to say, the only ‘profitable’ online agent so far seems to be Openrent. And they did things on the cheap, rather than paying for pricey adverts.

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  3. Paul House
    September 28, 2015 at 07:43

    I suspect that these type of PR stunts will become the norm as the ever growing number of online agents try to come up with yet more ways to make their ‘listing’ service stand out from all the other ‘listing’ service providers.

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  4. Robert May
    September 28, 2015 at 07:47

    Bottom feeders always find their level.

     

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    1. Robert May
      September 28, 2015 at 08:13

      Seems Mr Ellice can’t keep hold of the directors who  gave this any credibility,   both Harry  Hill and Guy Zitter are  now showing as resigned directors.  Perhaps Ros you should  see if either of them along with Chris Welch have any comment to make on why there are some many high profile director resignations.

       

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      1. Woodentop
        September 28, 2015 at 09:35

        Maybe they are in the coffin.

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        1. PeeBee
          September 28, 2015 at 13:04

          LOVE IT!  Gets my vote for ‘Comment of the week’! ;o)

          Funnily enough, I’m currently in the process of sharpening some coffin nails, Woodentop…

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          1. Woodentop
            September 28, 2015 at 13:09

            I’ll keep looking over my shoulder.

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            1. PeeBee
              September 28, 2015 at 13:28

              I sincerely doubt there’s a need.

              And those that will receive them will see them coming straight at them…

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              1. realpundit
                September 28, 2015 at 15:34

                Will these coffins be self-build? I ask, because that might be a problem…

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      2. Robert May
        September 28, 2015 at 21:01

        Seems Mr Zitter is  still a director but not of E Prop Ltd.  I have to say it is a bit of a come down from  a respected  position, something you could mention in polite company   to this ( If in fact  it takes place) Graham Norwood has done his usual trick of posting  stories,  pulling them down retracting or redacting them.

         

        Everyone involved in this, whether true or false, can mark this as the bottom of the barrel and it has been thoroughly scraped.

         

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  5. AgencyInsider
    September 28, 2015 at 07:48

    Tasteless, offensive and unprofessional. Exactly what we would expect.

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    1. smile please
      September 28, 2015 at 07:59

      Wins comment of the week fir me and it’s only Monday before 8am!

      Report
      1. Woodentop
        September 28, 2015 at 09:38

        Someone said to me that cheap online agents can only provide a cheap service   … I think that now extends to their professional standards.

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  6. Ewan Foreman
    September 28, 2015 at 07:52

    Perhaps they have decided that is the absence of a USP they will try an RIP!

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  7. surrey1
    September 28, 2015 at 08:06

    As a “High Street” agent, I can offer a professional and competitive service without the need for expensive overheads like Mardi Gras Jazz bands and personnel posing as Estate Agents.

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  8. smile please
    September 28, 2015 at 08:08

    What is most infuriating is if a high street agent stooped so low the press and media would have a field day on the poor taste (rightfully so).

    But as the majority of the press and media are so poorly educated and on crusade themselves to stick it to property professionals you will probably only see support of sleezyproperty!

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    1. PeeBee
      September 28, 2015 at 09:02

      Don’t forget, smile please – MR ELLICE STILL IS A HIGH STREET AGENT!!

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      1. smile please
        September 28, 2015 at 09:07

        Yes be interesting to see if he closes his other firm!

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        1. PeeBee
          September 28, 2015 at 09:13

          Well… clearly that’s the plan – kill ’em all off – it’s all going online, innit! ;o)

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        2. Robert May
          September 28, 2015 at 09:20

          What other firm? it isn’t a NAEA, ARLA or RICS is it? Bringing the industry or trade bodies into disrepute (this clearly does) is against all 3  codes of conduct.

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          1. Robert May
            September 28, 2015 at 10:00

            According to their website  Clarke Hillier  are RICS.  Easy property might not professional firm in the recognised and dignified sense but the connection with RICS is close enough to say Mr Ellice is dragging  their professional standing down into the gutter in a most abhorrent and tasteless way.

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          2. PeeBee
            September 28, 2015 at 10:10

            Apparently he’s “ARLA qualified” (credit: rummage4) – and the firm employs RICS qualified chartered surveyors – so it looks a case of 2 out of 3 ain’t bad! ;o)

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            1. Gump
              September 28, 2015 at 11:20

              Since when did we start crediting search engines?

              Or just another shameless plug

              (credit: Gump)

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              1. PeeBee
                September 28, 2015 at 11:40

                I think you’re aware that I’m extremely quick to jump on the multitude of ‘wrongs’ and inaccuracies we see on here.

                I also give credit where credit is due, Gump.

                Believe me – I’d much rather do that any day.

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              2. Robert May
                September 28, 2015 at 14:28

                Rummage4 isn’t search engine Gump, so it’s hardly a plug. Calling Rummage 4 a search engine is like calling an iphone a mobile; focusing on a single feature rather than all that it does.

                Exposing agents that are portal juggling or  Agents’s data phishing  are far more useful functions of Rummage4.

                As for when did you start crediting search engines; Google has had 198 mentions on Property Industry Eye, Rummage4 has had 36.

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                1. Gump
                  September 28, 2015 at 14:49

                  I was more than happy to leave it at Peebees reply, but thank you for yet again explaining what your posh search engine does in what is yet another plug.

                  37 mentions, try and leave it there.

                  (credit; bored.com)

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                  1. Robert May
                    September 28, 2015 at 15:55

                    You can’t come on here calling my system a search engine and not expect  me to  say it isn’t. It isn’t a posh search engine.

                    Isn’t it strange how you are more concerned about Peebee mentioning my system that  uncovers all sorts of wrong doing, collusion and shenanigans within the industry than you are about the wrong doing, collusion and shenanigans it uncovers.

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                    1. Gump
                      September 28, 2015 at 16:38

                      Both of your mentions on it are really tiresome, and correct, I don’t much care what it uncovers, which is apparently not much or you two wouldn’t be plugging it at every opportunity.

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                    2. Robert May
                      September 28, 2015 at 18:50

                      Every opportunity? I post here most days and don’t plug the system at every opportunity. Others, including Ros Renshaw have actually mentioned it more than I have.

                      The difference is I have made sure   my name is associated with my product and  vice versa, I don’t need to mention  the system.

                      I can live with you not liking the exposure,  the product or me.  The respect of people who understand, use and benefit from the system is enough. Those people have an understanding of what it has uncovered and the control it affords agents in their local areas.

                       

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                    3. Gump
                      September 29, 2015 at 09:29

                      Its just the exposure bit, nothing personal

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                    4. PeeBee
                      September 29, 2015 at 09:56

                      REALLY, Gump?  You have a problem with the “exposure” created by giving credit to a search tool (apologies if that term is too loose Robert – I’m simply stating a point) in a post, yet you make no reference to the column MILES of “exposure” taken up by the Quirks, Ellices and associated ‘disruptors/slayers/enter buzz-word here’ of our already maligned industry?

                      You couldn’t make it up.

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                    5. Robert May
                      September 29, 2015 at 12:22

                      You’re good Gump I am not taking it personally.  I actually appreciate where you are coming from but I am not mentioning the product at every opportunity. It is people like Peebee who are genuinely delighted  with what is does that are promoting it for me. I have no control over the positivity other than make the product as good as it can be.

                      It ought to be a sign of something  good and positive that Peebee of all people is singing  the praises of the system; he is the hardest, most merciless but honest critic on here. If I can please him I can please anyone.

                      If I was flogging something that wasn’t in agents’ best interests I would not be able to attract the support I do.

                      In your posts your have repeatedly called for agents to have the fortitude to turn off  the portals, you ought to be supportive of a system that gives agents control of their industry.

                       

                       

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                  2. Gump
                    September 29, 2015 at 12:04

                    Then I shall expect to see (credit: Google) (credit: Bing) appear in your posts then because I certainly haven’t noticed any thus far.

                    The column miles of exposure stories are what we come to EYE to read and have an interest in, the plentiful comments demonstrate this.

                    I don’t come here to see desperate plugs of something the majority really are not interested in

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                    1. Robert May
                      September 29, 2015 at 12:32

                      ….without  ever knowing that  more than a few stories have been generated  by stuff the system has exposed. That is why  Rosalind Renshaw  considers the system, “very, very clever”

                      As for desperate plugs, now you are being insulting,  there is nothing desperate about what I am doing  which is demonstrated by me giving  approximately 1/3rd of my turnover to Agents Giving.

                      If you have a problem with Peebee’s enthusiasm and posting style slug it out with him don’t involve me in your nastiness.

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                    2. PeeBee
                      September 29, 2015 at 13:47

                      Jeez, Gump (credit: Winston Groom 1986) – I didn’t think any reasonable person would or could get so wound up (credit: Ancient Greeks, 1st Century) about such a trivial thing.

                      Except, to Robert, in case you missed the hints, it’s not trivial.

                      In future, wherever you see (credit: *****) in one of my posts flutter past just in case it’s for something that offends your eyes.

                      Or just ignore my posts completely.  Saves you the bother of having to avoid the occasional word.

                      Either way works for me.

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                    3. Gump
                      September 29, 2015 at 13:56

                      This reply was to Peebee, Robert, not you. Natsiness is a little harsh tbh, but you did involve yourself in it so……

                      Report
                    4. Gump
                      September 29, 2015 at 13:57

                      I couldn’t possibly ignore your posts Peebee, they amuse me no end!

                      Some of them are so long I have to take an early lunch to read them

                      Report
                    5. Robert May
                      September 29, 2015 at 14:24

                      Fair do’s Gump as Peebee said it isn’t nothing to me. In order to compete and beat some very powerful  and long established competition (and I am doing that) I have to work longer, harder and smarter than any other service supplier.

                      I could take the easy (spits unpleasant taste from mouth) option of withdrawing from posting and debating but being fully exposed to  Agency is something none of my contemporaries  are prepared or qualified to do.

                      I put a considerable effort into providing stories and evidence  to support stories on here to make PIE a place that attracts Agent readers. Other than the occasional mention from Ros I don’t receive or expect any acknowledgement for that but in return  Ros does allow the  odd mention from Peebee and others who benefit from RM4.That said I will seize any opportunity for guerilla marketing such as  the one you kindly provided.

                       

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  9. MF
    September 28, 2015 at 08:09

    All the prior BIG TALK has come to nothing.  It stinks of desperation and this will no doubt be yet another nail in easyflop’s coffin.

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  10. agency negotiation limited
    September 28, 2015 at 08:14

    If online agencies, this one in particular, can’t figure out how to talk to vendors about their values & beliefs without the use of cheap publicity, then the beneficiary will prove to be the high street agencies.

    Estate agency is a human interaction and the trend is now for consumers to look for quality rather than price. I feel the bubble will soon burst for these faceless online agencies that have nothing to add to anyone’s experience of selling their home.

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    1. realpundit
      September 28, 2015 at 15:40

      I’d very much like to see the ‘bubble burst’, but the plain truth is these ‘agents’ appeal to all those who ‘hate’ estate agents.

      It’s important to note the customer of online agents isn’t a vendor, but the investor salivating at the prospect of ‘killing off high street agents’.

      And I’m afraid to say these ‘customers’ are in a mile long queue to throw their cash on this particularly passionate bonfire.

      When NAEA steps up to the plate and bats for agents with journalists, then there might be hope. But in the meantime, Russell Quirk et al have a monopoly on the time of young journos being conditioned to loath agents.

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  11. Farnaz
    September 28, 2015 at 08:35

    Wonder if they will have orange drones hovering above!

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  12. jmeapps01
    September 28, 2015 at 08:37

    Doesnt deserve comment

    Report
    1. Property Ear
      September 28, 2015 at 10:03

      I’m amazed he has received so many comments – what a stupid twassock!

      Report
      1. new life
        September 28, 2015 at 11:55

        agreed haven’t you guys got anything better to do not worth the effort

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        1. PeeBee
          September 28, 2015 at 12:31

          So… you comment that it wasn’t worth commenting?

          Honestly – sometimes I despair.

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  13. PeeBee
    September 28, 2015 at 09:01

    Those “Agents” who wish ill on others should remember the old phrase that “what goes round, comes round”.

    Online Agency is making an awful lot of claims.

    Claims made are there to be examined – and the examination process is throwing up some VERY interesting information…

    …and I can’t wait for it all to hit the fan!

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  14. PeeBee
    September 28, 2015 at 09:10

    Did I read somewhere (at around midnight… before it was taken down…) that the alleged ‘procession’ was going to pass something like 170 Agents’ offices?

    That’s thirty-odd more than one per property that this bunch currently have on their books – and they’re still giving away their services FREE!

    You couldn’t make it up… Oh – someone has! ;o)

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  15. Gump
    September 28, 2015 at 09:11

    I agree with all the comments on here completely, but which ever way you look at it, its a genius bit of marketing.

    The coverage they will get is massive

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  16. stephenjury
    September 28, 2015 at 09:12

    Feel someone has been seduced by their creative / PR agency to run this.

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    1. PeeBee
      September 28, 2015 at 09:21

      Nice to see you actually do recognise ******** when you see it, Mr Jury… join the club!

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    2. Robert May
      September 28, 2015 at 14:35

      Probably the agency that helped Michelle Mone

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  17. Chrispy
    September 28, 2015 at 09:19

    Aside from the people they walk past in London, who see all sorts of publicity stunts every day, no one else will hear about this around the country.

    I can’t imagine it will make the BBC news

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    1. Woodentop
      September 28, 2015 at 09:43

      More importantly it will be old news next week …. long forgotten by the public.

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  18. LH
    September 28, 2015 at 10:10

    Anyone else enjoying the irony that Easy are using the high street to signal the death of it?

    It just goes to show that if you want exposure to your business and your brand, being on the high street can be beneficial.

     

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  19. Eric Walker
    September 28, 2015 at 10:23

    I have always wondered how Rob’s stance squares with his other business, http://www.clarkehillyer.co.uk/AboutUs.aspx – but hey. I don’t think a funeral procession is in anyway tasteful, but maybe his investors may want to have a wake. I think all businesses should succeed on merit and not manufacture schadenfreude at the expense of thousands of hard working, committed and professional people.

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  20. Trevor Mealham
    September 28, 2015 at 10:38

    VERY, VERY TASTELESS

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  21. Property Personnel
    September 28, 2015 at 11:50

    I wonder if Stelios has any idea this is happening?

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    1. Ajax
      September 28, 2015 at 13:57

      I would think there is something in the legal agreement over use of the ‘easy’ name to the effect that it should not be dragged through the mud by tasteless demos etc. C’mon Stelios, get your lawyers on to this, pronto!

      Report
  22. livingproperty
    September 28, 2015 at 12:19

    Well that’s not childish and immature is it?

    Any credibility is going to be lost, unless you’re a berk of a vendor/landlord yourself.

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  23. RealAgent
    September 28, 2015 at 13:38

    Sorry I’m a little late to the party, but I really really hope he does it. I would suggest he takes an extra coffin with him however, because frankly, it would be professional suicide.

    Report
    1. Robert May
      September 28, 2015 at 15:07

      A bit like Gerald Ratner had his moment, sounds like this could be the ‘Ellice stunt’

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      1. RealAgent
        September 28, 2015 at 16:30

        Or certainly words that rhyme with that!

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  24. marcH
    September 28, 2015 at 14:55

    What’s next? Oh yes. I can see it. I mean they all do tend to have a high street presence don’t they. Easyundertakers.com. And as RealAgent suggests above, maybe they should start with themselves as client number one.

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  25. realpundit
    September 28, 2015 at 15:41

    Does anyone have the details of where this will be happening? I’d love to prank this stunt….

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    1. Woodentop
      September 28, 2015 at 19:09

      I can just see it  now, someone with a load of flour bombs launching from roof top down onto the motely gathering below as they pass.

      I seem to recall any demo in London requires a licence from the council and Met?

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    2. davehedgehog
      September 29, 2015 at 09:17

      I’ve already planted some Claymores.

      Report
  26. proppica
    September 29, 2015 at 09:54

    Guys, you all forgetting one thing. Majority of people HATE estate agents (and job recruiters, car dealers, etc). I never met anyone who would say ‘ohh estate agents, they are such a great, honest and very helpful bunch. They are adding so much value when selling or buuing a property.’ 🙂 Nobody said that ever!

    Now finally there is a service out there that does the same job as traditional high street estate agent but with less bullshitting and is so much cheaper. You guys think how much value you are adding but you are just fooling yourselves.

    Believe me or not but most of people will happily bury traditional estate agents. Fact.

    Report
    1. Robert May
      September 29, 2015 at 13:40

      you don’t own a property do you?

      Report
    2. smile please
      September 29, 2015 at 13:48

      I agree with Robert, you either do not own a property or you work for an online lister.

      Do tell me what “Bullshitting” agents do?

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    3. Martin Burgess
      September 29, 2015 at 16:14

      I don’t think many people will ‘warm’ to Robert Ellice the HYPOCRITE who preaches on about high street estate agents yet still owns Clarke Hillyer, a high street estate agent.. he also asks why the public would want to spend their money with high street agents who spend it on fleets of cars etc… while he continues to cruise around town in his Ferrari… You really interested in providing a quality service (for the public AND your investors)… or just lining your pocket so you can continue the lifestyle your daddy created for you?

      Report
    4. PeeBee
      September 29, 2015 at 23:39

      Oh, dear – failed the entrance exam to ‘traditional estate agency’ again, did we?

      No doubt your spelling and grammar played a big part.  Still – better luck next time.

      Best work on your serious lack of attitudinal skills while you’re on – I’d hate it to be a case of ‘Three strikes – you’re out’ and your hopes of ever becoming a respected pillar of the community dashed for once and all.

      How sad would that be?

      Report
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