London agent Douglas & Gordon has expanded – with a ‘digital’ operation which we have been told will be 24/7.
There will be no physical office in Streatham. Instead, it appears that two ‘property brokers’ will work virtually, carrying out valuations and viewings for both sales and rental properties. One source told us that the brokers will be working largely out of local cafes.
While the firm has not yet made any official announcement, it has launched its new service online, and is offering the first 100 vendors in the catchment area a 0% commission deal.
Callers to Douglas & Gordon, and inquirers participating in live web chat, are being given plenty of information.
It is understood that the new ‘virtual branch’ will actually be operated from Douglas & Gordon’s head office, currently in Victoria although due to move to Putney Bridge.
The venture is a first for Douglas & Gordon, which launched in 1958 and now has 19 offices in central, west and south-west London.
See also what Ed Mead has to say about it in today’s column on EYE.
http://www.douglasandgordon.com/sell/streatham/
Interesting. I don’t think there is even a 100 vendors in London at the moment, never mind 100 vendors in Streatham. Streatham was a key area for Jacksons Estate Agents, who went bust. Not sure this virtual concept will work, but good luck to them.
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foxtons tried this in surrey,,got eaten alive by rivals..remember foxtons going to usa….they should try this again before purplebricks do .
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Foxtons do this with every new branch they open. A lot of agents have started copying them – Marsh and Parsons to name but one.
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they offer 0% yes, they stopped doing the virtual thing as people need an office to identify and remember you. an office is like a billboard. If you have tv advertising that’s great but very expensive.
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i actually hate agency at moment..everyone is confused, traditional agents are panicking, the govt. is useless and builds houses for 1 generation of ftb who then own overpriced houses when they come to sell,,
we need a donalt trump to kick the ass out of business in this country and start taxing online industries who do little for their money accept ruin genuine industries…
at that’s better… cup of tea please
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Bless You
…….But what is great about this industry is your passion. That’s why I am so passionate about the local independent succeeding against the businesses that are designed for one purpose and one purpose alone….to make as much money as possible for their owners. It’s not about what is best for the client, the vendor, the buyer, the customer…or the community …or jobs…it is just simply about greed.
How many businesses were wiped out by the banking crisis…at the heart of which was of course …greed. The current ‘online listers’ have one aim above all else….to wipe out small businesses so that they can have a bigger amount of the market to make more money. That’s why we have all the lies, hidden truths and deceipt. If you make the public believe we are all the same, untrustworthy wheelers and dealers…then you might as well pick the cheapest mightn’t you?
So join us and help us make a stand.
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I wonder how a “virtual office” sits with Agents Mutual?
I wonder if they charge a “virtual fee” to display the properties of a “virtual office”?
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PeeBee…this lot charge no fee…let alone a virtual fee. I’m glad I am not an agent in Streatham right now. But this is showing the industry is fighting back and mimicking the challenger brands!! If nothing else, the coffee shops will benefit from brokers sitting around them and of course D&G will need to decide if they are brokers or agents! They are not the same as the wise will know.
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P-Daddy – I think you miss the point of my post.
I am wondering if the “virtual office” will be allowed to advertise its’ listings on OTM. It has no door; no window; no substance – so does not meet the strict requirements of listing eligibility on the portal.
What do you reckon?
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I was being ironic… In answer to your question, time will tell. I have just looked up agents in Streatham and there is no note of D&G, so time will tell and if they allow it. Is it worth having a fight whilst the PTM are trying to grow and certainly need no more bad publicity. All businesses when they are new need to react to help them grow…Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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P-Daddy – I apologise for overlooking your irony.
In my defence it is b100dy well hidden, though!
“Is it worth having a fight whilst the PTM are trying to grow and certainly need no more bad publicity.”
You’ve got that last part bang to rights!
“All businesses when they are new need to react to help them grow…”
Looking forward to seeing a reaction. Signs of a heartbeat would be welcome…
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
True – but it burned down during one violin session…
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nope. portals only charge for physical offices. they prefer to give all the good deals to purplebricks so they look like they have an office in the area.
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Bless You – now it is YOU missing the point. D & G are Agents Mutual founder members – I’m not particularly bothered about the other portals – just how OTM are going to deal with these listings.
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A great idea, fantastic PR and a superb way of getting their name out there. If I were a Streatham agent I’d be very worried right now.
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Working out of coffee shops? F**k sake, would rather deal with PurpleBricks.
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suspectd that D&G had been in trouble for a while….turnover down at all central/ SW London offices….this merely confirms it….shame as 20 years agi they were an aspitational agent to both work for and sell through.
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The contract that you sign states 0% until end of May and then 2% plus VAT thereafter…
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I have just been assured by the live chat lady I’m currently ‘speaking’ to that D&G WILL, “in all probability” open an office in Streatham.
And that when I queried whether Streatham ‘virtual office’ properties will be advertised on OTM she replied “Yes, we may”.
Watch this space…
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