Butters John Bee Congleton reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Appalled by this company

Appalled by this company. They blatantly lied to my young niece (first time buyer as well) regarding a property they were marketing. They told her it was sold in 2019 to an owner occupier who had renovated it extensively hence perfect turn key property for a first time buyer. The property had, in fact, been a long term rental last sold in 2006 - and really badly neglected. Luckily she had a full survey which showed up huge damp, structural and safety issues which would have cost her about £20k to rectify. Turns out the owner had carried out a botch job to cover all the faults prior to marketing it. BJB admitted they were aware of this. Utter liars (Newcastle under Lyme Office) who were willing to offload a dangerous and structurally damaged property on a young, female first time buyer - AVOID AT ALL COSTs or you could be hugely out of pocket.

Sylvie · 25 August 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Terrible agency to sell your house…

Terrible agency to sell your house with. With their eye watering fees £2400.00 they offered you a 'gold' service where the actual service was the value of nickel.Disgusting photos taken when they offered professional photos. Carrying a cannon does not make you a professional photographer.The floor plans were all wrong, after a month they still hadn't been rectified. Had to chase back feedback in viewing. Eventually withdrawn, listed with another estate agents for £0.00 to be sold in 1 DAY!. AMAZING

Zeus · 23 August 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

We had an awful experience marketing our house with BJB Congleton last year and would advise any potential seller to avoid, or at least deal with another branch of the company. Unprofessional and amateurish, with poor attention to detail regarding property details and dates. Communication with the staff, often diverted via a questionable 'Concierge service', was extremely difficult (other estate agents commented on this too). Details of the sales contract were misrepresented to us at the beginning. Totally agree with a previous reviewer that confidentiality of personal details, or more precisely the lack of it, was a concern and remains so even after leaving, particularly as privileged information was used against us in a vexatious manner. Since terminating our contract we are relieved to now be with a far superior estate agent in Congleton.

Shirley · 14 June 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Stay away from these agents

Stay away from these agents. They are on some sort of scam especially some of their agents. They valued our properties at less than half their value for auction . Properties worth over £120k and they stated only £60k. Something not right going on plenty of more respectable agents in Stoke . Stay away from them .This was your branch Manager and Clair Ryan so please do not try and act innocent as they were both in on this scam. We have properties bought 17 years ago for £90k plus and they valued them at £30-£40k less than what we purchased them for 17 years later! And to wrap it trying to put pressure on us to sign to say we are happy with the valuations. Stay away.

Zaighum · 4 August 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Absolutely awful service from the Crewe branch

Absolutely awful service from the Crewe branch. Discourteous, disorganised and seemingly incompetent. I have spent hours trying to phone to arrange viewings of properties for sale (more than one) and have failed to arrange a viewing on any property in which I have expressed interest. When I eventually managed to get through with regard to one particular property I had to endure listening to how busy they are and how many bookings they have to take to view properties! Needless to say they were unable to offer me a convenient viewing time even though I offered a lot of flexibility from my side, Last time I eventually managed to speak with someone I was asked to register my details even though I had registered them more than once previously (and had previously received emails from the company confirming my registration). The lady with whom I was speaking insisted I had never registered even when I insisted I had and had received email confirmation. Do they all operate the same system in the same branch?? I was asked if I was financially able to proceed to purchase and when I said yes and that I had already sold my own house, I was then asked whether I was a first time buyer!! This was incredible.... words escape me! Very curt attitude over the phone from some of the staff. I had also recently used this company (a different local branch) to carry out a valuation with a view to selling my house. I felt that they had undervalued it and invited two other estate agents to undertake valuations who both valued my property considerably higher and so I chose one of them. My house sold within 3 weeks at almost the full asking price and I had no shortage of interest in my property. If I had used Butters John Bee to market my house, I would have been over £22,000 poorer plus would have paid considerably higher fees. If anyone is reading this to help decide whether to use Butters John Bee, please be very careful in making your decision and look at other review sites too. I cannot recommend this company at all - especially the branch in Crewe.

Barbara · 2 August 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Stacey is always a pleasure to work…

Stacey is always a pleasure to work with , Always there giving a helping hand. Great person with great knowledge of her job . The only person I want to deal with .

Lee · 14 May 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

This past week and longer have been a…

This past week and longer have been a nightmare our ceiling fell in the bathroom. With an ongoing issue with water coming in when it rained heavily since 2019. This last 6 months it just got worse and never actually got actioned anything we sent till our lights ended up tripping off and me consistently chasing updates. The roof has now been fixed and I have spoke on several occasions with molly and Andrea but more recently we have had radio silence, we still have bare wires hanging and debris hanging in the bathroom after the outside roof was fixed. All we have asked is to make it more secure, or ensure wires are isolated. We call and get fobbed off and get no response at all this has been so stressful barely having a bathroom and has affected my mental health. Having no lights at all and having to find refuge in family just to have a simple thing like a wash our ceiling won’t be completed for another few weeks internally and they last I heard I would be getting a temp light within the next few days. But can’t seem to get any more info that, glad I came across this as me an my partner we have no other choice but to move due to this as nothing will rectify how we feel right now. And also but a complaint in with the branch manager or property ombudsmen.

Abbie · 16 July 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Second time I have bought a property through the congleton branch and I found them extremely helpful, (more so than my own solicitor,) and i have no hesitation in recommending them. Many thanks to Nathan, Michelle, Vicky and Julie.

Janice · 22 June 2019

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Poor customer communications

I purchased a property in 2021 which was listed by Butter's John Bee's Crewe office. The initial contact process was poor with difficulty being experienced in speaking to someone who could assist with arranging a viewing. We were further frustrated by unnecessary obstacles in arranging a viewing of the property, allegedly due to Covid restrictions but which were not in line with the approach of other Estate Agents we had spoken to. We were only able to view the property we eventually purchased by escalating the matter to their branch manager and even then we received no apology. When calling the branch subsequently it continued to be difficult to speak to someone who could assist us with calls regularly routed to a 'Concierge' service which may as well have been a voicemail. On speaking to our seller they too felt their experience in dealing with Butters John Bee was poor. I will not be using or recommending Butters John Bee to list any future properties and believe their communications and general customer interactions are very poor.

Andrew · 14 July 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Definitely going to use again in the…

Definitely going to use again in the future .thanks to Ellie Ratcliff witch in the very beginning was helpful getting the house and also to the rest of the team making the things move a little bit faster.

Marian · 27 November 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

BJB working round the clock!

Hi, I just wanted to say a big thank you to Stacey O’hara at Butters John Bee. I called after 6:00pm half-expecting the office to be closed, but far from it. Stacey was still working into the night and was happy to help me. She even emailed me the details that I needed so thank you BJB and please say thank you to Stacey from me.Steve Gray

Stephen · 10 November 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Michael Ferris Congleton branch

Michael Ferris has been our point of contact from previous end of tenancy to finding a new tenant. He has kept us informed throughout, provided detailed advice & support and a new suitable tenant was found within 6 weeks.

Claire · 14 June 2019

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Law breaking crooks AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Serious injury caused to my child due to not maintaining property. They ignored my emails for six months causing an injury to my child due to the property not being maintained. The Cheshire council told me they didn’t even issue my section 21 right as landlord wanted to sell house. BJB staff arrived at the rented house to try and intimidate me, no respect for the tenants right to live in peace . The worst communication and incompetent staff I’ve ever seen in an estate agent. The house is left immaculate and they are trying to tell me it’s £350 for a clean! They take advantage of their tenants especially if they’re vulnerable and can bully them. I will be taking this as far as it will go. Constantly being misinformed and lied to by Ben Molly and Stacey that’s if your lucky enough to be communicated with atall, the day my terminally Ill dad was on chemotherapy they gave me no notice for a gas certificate . They have literally no morals . Estate agents and landlords like this ruin lives . Absolute crooks would highly recommend to avoid this company. I will be taking further action Bjb.

Georgina · 4 July 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

No replies to phone calls no replies to…estate agent carnage

No replies to phone calls no replies to emails. How do they sell anything. Waiting days to hear back and still no response. Please people wake up and smell the coffee. Do not put your house on the market with these charlatans as real purchasers like ourselves will not even try and view with them. 3 days and no response to viewing requests on 3 different properties. My wife has also emailed the same requests and still no answer. Total waste of time

Martin · 3 July 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Brilliant experience

Brilliant experience, very helpful and will recommend to family and friends. Big thanks to Charlotte Foden for all her help and she made the whole experience very positive and the reason I felt she deserved a 5 star review.

Scott · 17 May 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Couldn't have hoped for a better estate agent

We have completed the sale of our property today through Butters John Bee, Newcastle under Lyme office. We had four separate agents to do a valuation before we put the house on the market, as it was an unusual property with no comparables in the area. As soon as we met Julia Bramfitt from Butters we felt as though our house sale would be in good hands. Right from the start she gave us good advice and used her wealth of knowledge and experience to give us a valuation, rather than referencing it to completely incompatible properties which other inexperienced agents tried to do. Julia showed she was genuinely excited to be able to deal with our property and relished the challenge. Once instructed, a wealth of photos were done straight away and a draft advert was sent for our approval, and they were receptive to the alterations that we wanted. Julia did a wonderful walk through video of the property which really showed it to its best - the eventual buyers of the property actually told us that it was the video that made them want to have a physical viewing. Butters did not just upload the property to the internet and leave it, they actively went the extra mile to generate potential buyers, considering other uses for the property, including developer interest or commerical uses. Once an offer had been made they advised on the price negotiation and we didn't feel pushed into accepting any price just so that they could get their commission. Thomas Hands guided us through the process once the offer was accepted, giving us weekly updates and chasing solicitors and other agents to ensure that the sale went through as smoothly as possible.We can't thank them enough, and wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to other sellers.

DJW · 28 June 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Customer Service. What Customer Service

Wish there were no stars for starters.It has been three days now waiting for the promised phone call to view a property. How do they manage to sell them?Several emails and no reply. Both myself and my daughter are buying properties in the East Cheshire/ Staffordshire area. Impossible to get someone to call you back or respond to emails. My daughter managed to finally get one appointment where they sent her an appointment without the full address. Phoned them for instructions. We had travelled over 40 miles to the appointment. They did not know anything about the appointment but later that day someone phoned to ask what she thought about the property.!!! Complete incompetent ******sFrom now on, any houses for sale through this company will result in us actually knocking on the vendors door to report BJB and making an appointment direct.Thinking also of making flyers to put through any door with their for sale board showing.Avoid at all cost.

Mrs · 23 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We found the service excellent from start to finish, they explained everything very well and supported us through the process. They communicated extremely well and guided us, providing us with information to move us forward. I would highly recommend Butters John Bee and all their staff. We first saw them a good month or two before following up but once we made our minds up, they talked everything through with us explaining what and why they were doing things. Photograph's and information about our property were taken and within no time we were on the market and within a week viewings arranged taking great care with Covid regulations and we had offers the same day. We cannot praise them high enough.PositiveResponsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value

Terry · 21 June 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Poor customer service, lacking honesty and help

*Edited* I rang to view a property with Butters John Bee (review covers two of the Cheshire/Staffordshire branches), having got an evaluation, with photographs ready for our instruction to put own property on market with other Sales Agent. Was told an agent would get back to me by Shannon.I had to ring again and was told the person was in meetings. I also contacted via email form to view another property but not to be contacted during certain hours due to an important meeting. A different agent (Ryan) contacted me during this meeting and made me feel belittled, told me the property was due to sell that evening and would allow me no visit to either property. He did not listen to me and talked over me. Trying to end the call due to my meeting, I found his behaviour insulting and upsetting. I was told that houses were being snapped up as soon as they are advertised, yet then went on to say the market is slowing. I was told that one property which we were hoping to put an offer in on had been having visitors for the past week and half, therefore we were too late to visit as the likelihood is that someone will have already offered. I asked if I could view anyway and this was met with a no. Whilst I understand our house has not yet been bought, we had the funds and our house was just awaiting our instruction to go live.The following day, the initial agent left a voicemail to ask what time I was attending the property. I tried to ring back and spoke to the receptionist who passed my message on. I had originally booked the afternoon off and receiving the bad news from Ryan, made alternative plans. Both myself and partner rang several times that day and the phone did not answer. My partner was told I had incorrectly completed the form and so my number was unknown, despite having registered with them and previously being ring by themselves.I finally got through and the individual had left for the day, but was told they would ring me back the following day. I again cleared my afternoon for the visit.I explained my surprise that I was now allowed to view both properties and was told that no offer was ever put in. I was also told that only two viewing days were occurring at this property, not consistent with Ryan's story.I believe this was just a selling technique which alongside the poor service has put me off using or recommending Butters John Bee. I have never been contacted again and sadly have missed out on putting in an offer at this home.

Anonymous · 10 June 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Do NOT trust - walk the other way - molly is not equipped to deal with property management

After renting in the same property for almost 6 years Molly Farelly returned a reference for myself with party false information which resulted in a reference for my new property being declined. Transaction receipts and bank statements do not lie but there was no intention for it to be looked into and rectified to reflect the truthful circumstances. There has also been a breach of data protection regarding my personal information being shared outside of the refencing documentation. Communication with the property management team over the last 18 months has been difficult to obtain, with concerns and issues left unaddressed or unrepsonded to for months on end. There have been multiple occasions in which information should of been passed to my landlord via butters john bee, but they have been unable to provide any proof or confirmation of their attempt to forward particular requests to the property owner. Failing on both the tenants and landlords side to to manage the property. They are however, keen to take rental payments and then lie on legal documentation and in molly own words "i don't know about any payment thats been made" ... I have lost every part of trust i had in this company. I would not recommend to a single sole ands would warn anybody applying to let a property managed by butters john bee....it really is scary to understand the power and implications these agents have with regards to your future prospects when the time is due to move forward. I caanot speak for sales and purchasing, however, property management, and espcially staff that believe they are managers due to working in a property mamagement roll have failed to fulfill their duties and have sent falsified information and sare not capable or equipped in to resond transparently to simple requests and comminications. Ben however, has tried his best to recall my reference and send one with the factual information, and the matter will be escalated with operational management and possibly in court, as it is probably too late and i will be stuck in this hell hole until a new property becomes available due to falsified information on a reference. Do not trust this company.

Shona · 10 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Absolutely amazing

Absolutely amazing! Jo Evans at the Stafford branch has been fantastic throughout our buying process, after many dramas she has always been there to help and support and even just to talk to! With us being first time buyers Jo guided us throughout the whole process and really did everything possible to help us along!I would recommend Jo and her team to anyone including friends and family! Everyone in the branch is so helpful and lovely to talk to, they really do know the meaning of true fantastic customer service!Once again Thank You so much!!!

Katie · 4 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Great estate agents so helpful especially James who went the extra mile! Very happy service.

Rebecca · 21 June 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

I have dealt with Danielle Thompson for…

I have dealt with Danielle Thompson for a few years now and she is always very professional, knowledgable and willing to go the extra mile. I would highly recommend using her if you are a landlord.

Matt · 16 May 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Great service so far

Great service so far, hoping to build a long relationship with bjb. Natalie Tunnicliffe has been great today

Customer · 16 March 2023