Trusted Agent profile
★★★★★
1,696 reviews across 2 platforms
4 High Street, Gillingham, SP8 4QT, Dorset, SP8 4QT
Connells's Dorset office at 4 High Street is rated 2.0 out of 5 across 1,696 reviews on two platforms, including 49 Google reviews rated 4.3.
Every review we hold for the Dorset office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
1/5
TrustpilotInitial sales pitch was promising
Initial sales pitch was promising, which lead us to believe that Connells would be competent and trustworthy. What lay ahead was Rude arrogant staff who lied too us , no apologies or recognition of responsibility and sarcasm on phone calls.
3/5
TrustpilotTitle: Mixed Experience with Connells Property and Agent Harriete Ward
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)I recently had the opportunity to work with Connells Property, with Harriet Ward as my agent. My experience with Connells had its ups and downs, and I feel it's important to provide an honest review to help potential clients make informed decisions.Let's start with the positive aspects of my experience:Positive Points:Good Communication: Harriet Ward displayed commendable communication skills throughout the process. She promptly responded to emails and calls, ensuring I was always in the loop regarding the progress of my property transaction. This was greatly appreciated and helped alleviate some of the stress associated with property dealings.Outstanding Assistance with Queries: Harriete went the extra mile to assist with my numerous queries and questions. Her willingness to address my concerns, no matter how trivial they may have seemed, made me feel valued as a client.However, there were certain negative aspects that marred my experience:Negative Points:Procedures Left Until the Last Minute: One significant drawback was the tendency to leave crucial procedures until the very last minute. This lack of proactive planning left no room for addressing potential hurdles or issues that could have been resolved with more time. It created unnecessary stress and uncertainty, which could have been avoided with better organization and foresight.Inadequate Property Cleaning: When I moved into the property, I was disappointed to find that it had not been cleaned properly. This oversight was unexpected and frustrating, as I had expected a higher level of attention to detail. Having to clean the property myself upon moving in was an inconvenience that should not have occurred.In conclusion, my experience with Connells Property and Harriet Ward as my agent was a mixed one. While Harriet displayed excellent communication skills and was always there to assist with my questions, there were notable issues with last-minute procedures and the cleanliness of the property upon moving in. If Connells can address these shortcomings and improve their procedural efficiency, it would significantly enhance the overall client experience.I hope this review helps potential clients make an informed decision when choosing Connells Property and their agent, Harriet Ward, for their property needs.
1/5
TrustpilotAvoid!!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend this company is avoided! After my dad passed away, the agreement was terminated, Connells were aware of the circumstances yet this company continued to advertise our property without consent! 2 months later a letter was received to both my parents advising that the agreement was to expire 6 weeks later. When challenged it was advised that the letter was automated yet they didn’t recognise their own reference. If an agreement has already been terminated why are we receiving automated letters containing incorrect information. The Branch Manager was conveniently always unavailable when visiting the shop!This experience is getting 1star as I wasn’t given the option review with no stars !
1/5
TrustpilotFor your sanity, safety, & financial security - STAY CLEAR!
For your sanity, safety, and financial security, please stay WELL CLEAR of Connells. Here are some reasons: 1. Dangerous Houses: We rented a house through them for 12 months while the sale of our property is going through and we look to purchase elsewhere. On moving in, we found the boiler to be leaking oil and was unusable - the air was absolutely filled with noxious fumes and we both had blood coming from our noses. Being pregnant, we couldn’t move in for weeks until it was all fixed. We still have not received recompense for this.2. Incompetent & Threatening: The landlord requested that we change the bank to which we make payments, which we immediately did. Connells then began issuing us with CCJ threats - and would not stop, despite them knowing we were paying our rent. While they eventually apologised, this caused a lot of stress given we were about to embark on a new mortgage and that this would affect our credit rating. 3. Inhumane and breach of covenant of ‘quiet enjoyment’: We have a rental agreement for another six month for this property, however the landlord wishes to sell it. Needless to say, no one wants to buy the place when there’s an active tenancy for another SIX MONTHS. However, someone has requested to do a viewing next week - on the very day our baby arrives. Up to now, we’ve said that viewings are possible if pre-arranged (which is not incumbent on a tenant to do and was us being kind), but have always been very clear that September and October were 100% out - this was agreed well in advance with Connells and the landlord. Tenants pay a lot in rent and part of those terms is a right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their property. At no time is this right more sacrosanct than during those first precious months with a newborn, and for me while recovering from major surgery. Personally, I’m not even having my family to visit until November, so to have strangers walking around my home while I’m remembering how to breastfeed, the baby and I are trying to sleep, midwives are changing dressings etc. is filling me with horror and dread. I would have thought in this day and age everyone would understand this. Both Connells and the landlord originally said ‘of course’ to this stipulation, but now they are going back on their agreement and have said viewings must continue.So the fact that we are now having to prepare for someone to view our home rather than the arrival of our child gives you a taste of the kind of agency they are! The correspondence we received about it yesterday told me that I need to ‘stay in the bedroom’ in the attic, as if I belong in a Brontë novel, or should somehow feel ashamed of new motherhood. So, to conclude, if you are thinking to sell with Connells, please think again, their level of competence means I wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole.If you are thinking of viewing a house with Connells, expect to encounter tearful tenants banished to attics who are in no position to have strangers look around their homes - you will not be welcome!And, most crucially, if you are looking to rent with Connells, expect dangerous houses, no privacy, breach of agreements, and potential life-long consequences to your financial security!
1/5
TrustpilotConnells warndon villages worcester
Connells warndon villages worcester, all over you to sell, we sold and our buyers buyer pulled out, no one told us, lost our onward purchase (which i found out through another estate agent) resold which we were only aware of when my buyer turned up to tell us as we needed to find a house! re brought and throughout the whole experience did not hear off them once! My buyers estate agent did all the chasing (Hills worcester-amazing)
5/5
TrustpilotWe were looking to rent and found a…
We were looking to rent and found a property we liked with Connells. The pace at which things were sorted was just dreamy. Within a few days, paper work was done and we literally move into the property within that week!! I can’t thank Adam and Ambre enough for their kindness and understanding. They really went out of their way to sort things out for us. I remember Ambre having to come in early to hand over the keys so that the packers could start early and Adam also had to stay in late for some paperwork to be done on time. Kudos to the fantastic team! Highly recommended.
5/5
TrustpilotGreat team in Watford Office
Recently bought our first home through Connells Watford branch, and cannot praise them enough. There were issues with their partner legal services, but Brandon from the Watford office was on hand and helped to ensure the process was as smooth as possible.At every step of the way, he was available and provided information guiding us through the process, explaining in detail exactly what we could expect and how we could manage it.Towards the end of the process, the legal side required lots of witnessed signatures, which Brandon was happy to do for us on numerous occasions, and continued to explain what everything meant and how it would work.This would have been a very different (and unpleasant) experience if it wasn't for him, so Thank you Brandon for getting us through it!
5/5
GoogleMy experience with Connells has been nothing but positive and can't recommend them enough! With the newly shaped team and management in the branch, communication and proactiveness has helped move my property search on leaps and bounds - Thanks Robbie and Max!
Thank you for your glowing 5* review and recommendation. Kind regards, Lucy, Customer Relations.
5/5
TrustpilotJames Edmondson from Connell attended…
James Edmondson from Connell attended my home to provide a mortgage valuation survey. James explained to process in detail and was very friendly and really put me at ease. He made sure i understood everything and answered any questions i had.Nothing seemed too much trouble and he made sure the process ran very smoothly.thankyou for a great experience.
1/5
TrustpilotOverall poor, bad communication and driven by viewings not sale
My property was listed in September, I had offers but was not entirely happy with the risk of one, though went with the advise of their branch manager. The communication and info was pretty poor, which ultimately led to the buyer pulling out in Feb, right when my offer on buying a house was agreed. Up to this point their performance was somewhat excusable, but Connells then seemingly chucked any random through my house without due diligence checks as to whether the viewer was in a position, or even able, to buy, which was extremely inconvenient. The feedback also showed clearly they weren't 'selling' the house, or answering questions, but this may be more a point on the viewers than the caliber of agents (who are generally pretty good though on occasion were a touch rude). This also meant I lost out on another house purchase.The past week, whilst on a training course working from home, I requested viewings to be cancelled, but Connells proceeded anyway, interrupting to a potentially detrimental result on my course. Once is bad enough but then two days later they arrived on another viewing, earlier than it even had been booked, that had also been cancelled, with my partner having just stepped out of the shower to see some random guy in my garden looking through the windows. One of these issues is excusable but not all continuously.I'd strongly advise using any other agent
5/5
TrustpilotWe (Lisa/Jon) are very pleased to say…
We (Lisa/Jon) are very pleased to say that CONNELLS Estate Agents mutley plain are very professional/ courteous and nothing we needed was not to much trouble for the team. From beginning to end of the process is selling our house was excellent. We highly recommend Alli / Sam and TEAM if you are looking to sell your home. All our thanks and best wishes to you all.
1/5
TrustpilotAwful to deal with
We were asked to quote them for some windows in the NG2 area of Nottingham, we agreed a price, I informed them that we needed a contract signing and a deposit paying, I was asked to send the paperwork to a totally different email address, it was a maintenance companies email, we then received a call from a finance company asking if they could buy the windows directly from our suppliers, this immediately rang alarm bells, so I informed them that we would no longer carry on with the work, we then received a 1-star review on here, awful to deal with, phone calls to my mobile at 9pm, constantly messaging on whattsapp, I genuinely believe that we have had a lucky escape.
1/5
Trustpilotterrible estate not answering phone…
terrible estate not answering phone calls i was ringing the office in kings wood the lady on the phone slam the phone on me if you selling a house you are wasting your time with these people
1/5
TrustpilotMortgage Advice Service, Extremely Disappointedg this review out of sheer…
I am writing this review out of sheer frustration with the service I received from Connells during my recent remortgage process. This was my first ever remortgage, and from the very first call I made it clear to the advisor that I had no prior experience and needed clear guidance, step by step. He assured me he would explain everything properly but unfortunately, that never happened.
5/5
TrustpilotHad a survey conducted from James…
Had a survey conducted from James Edmundson. I mean, what can I say... he was quick, efficient and friendly. It was immaculately clear that he knows his trade and knows full well what hes doing. Knows the area impeccably and promised a quick turnaround on delivery. Connells... youve got a keeper.
5/5
TrustpilotI used the in house mortgage advisor…
I used the in house mortgage advisor Joseph Whitmore when buying my house. Throughout the process he was professional and very knowledgeable. He dealt with issues quickly and confidently ensuring that the mortgage went through in a timely manner. Would recommend Joseph to others in the future
1/5
TrustpilotVery poor experience with Connells
Very poor experience with Connells. I was quoted a clear fee to find new tenants which was supposed to include references, Right to Rent checks and the tenancy agreement. Instead, I received a statement with lots of extra and duplicated charges.
5/5
TrustpilotConnells - sound, experienced, and full of vitality.
Would like to say that Connells helped me with the purchase of a leasehold property in 2019, and also for the sale of the same property in 2022. Always friendly, found the right buyer (taking their own considerations into account), and were highly responsive, informed and moved at the right times. Have no complaints, only praise. Would like to thank Emma Eldridge for her work in 2021 as she identified a sound purchaser for good reasons, and helped to make it happen for them on their timeframe, which is the most important thing of all.
5/5
GoogleChoosing an estate agent can be daunting but I was very impressed when Joe Paterson came to see us. Not only was he honest and made suggestions on how to achieve the best price we didn’t feel pressurised in making a decision there and then. Especially so as my Mum is 90. Sam the manager is excellent and between them they soon found a proceedable buyer achieving above the asking price. Although we haven’t completed yet, and there was a hiccup with our buyers survey, Joe dealt with this efficiently and we’re back on track. We highly recommend Sam and all his team for their kindness and hard work. Thank you!
1/5
TrustpilotConnells is a terrible agency that you should not work with
Connells is a terrible agency that only cares about you until the contract is signed. After being exemplary tenants for over 2 years, we have received zero support or flexibility. Despite the standard practice in the UK, they refused any 'rolling contract' options, forcing us into rigid fixed terms.
1/5
TrustpilotDysfunctional
Have been using this company for a fully managed service on our rental property. To provide a balanced review - here's the positives:They will invoice you for their costs on time. The in team branch do their best to help but are at the mercy of a dysfunctional corporate business model....now to the negatives:The remote "support centre" team are anything but supportive. There is a lack of accountability, communication and follow up. Simple tasks such as informing energy suppliers of tenancy changes take months to get resolved. Communication flows from the tenant to landlord are poor. Chasing outstanding issues such as overdue rent or maintenance tasks feels like a tick box exercise which results in further delay / lack of action. Good luck if you have a deposit dispute as they will give you zero support. Most frustrating of all is the fact that I have escalated these issues on multiple occasions to give the company a chance to resolve and yet I find myself in the same place.My simple advice is please do your research and consider very carefully before using this outfit for a tenancy service.
5/5
TrustpilotMortgage Advisor Thomas is Amazing at Connells Worcester
At Connells in Worcester branch they have an amazing mortgage advisor with lots of experience and can help you to work out what you need to do with the basics of reading payslips, knowing what your deposit will get you, and help you go through the mortgage process.
1/5
TrustpilotNeedlessly Aggressive & Disgusting Breach of Data Protection Regulations
Recently sold a home with Connells - Fairford Leys. We'd used Connells before and wanted a specific agent in their town centre branch who we knew personally and had used before, but after enquiring were diverted to a marginally closer branch. That seemed a bit 'nit-picky', but whatever. Fast forward almost a year and we finally made it to completion, after a very drawn out and stressful process with lots of hiccups. In the sales-driven world of estate agents, we sensed that the long saga of our move frustrated them, but we weren't going to settle for a house with subsidence! We were encouraged to use their "Connells Home Conveyancing" service, which we took them up on because it meant a small refund of some fees later on and our buyer was already using the local solicitor we'd wanted. Big mistake! We also utilised their mortgage broker, who was very accommodating and competent, but for some strange reason saw fit disclose our private information to members of the public!? The outcome of which was that my wife ended up having to employ a solicitor to fight off her employer, who had found out we were moving as a result of this data breach and was pressuring her to quit (which would have ironically put the mortgage application in jeopardy). We still haven't decided where we're going to take it after the other thing that recently happened with Connells.The reason choosing Connells Home Conveyancing was a big mistake was because at completion they did two things wrong: 1. They overpaid stamp duty on our purchase to the tune of £2500 & 2. They also made accounting errors on the completion statement that resulted in Connells Estate Agent not being paid their sale fee in full. The stamp duty was paid at the old rate rather than the newly-announced one. But whilst this announcement came early on completion day, we didn't complete until the end of the day and so were eligible. This was widely available information in the public domain and I tried to call and email Connells Home Conveyancing to ensure we paid the correct sum, but they couldn't be bothered to look at it. Instead, they left me to chase HMRC for a refund via post (yes, that's their process) which could take weeks! I went in to Connells Estate Agent on completion day and they, incorrectly, advised me that we weren't eligible too. But the worst of it was that, because of their accounting error, the estate agent didn't get paid their full fee at completion. This resulted in the branch manager giving us just 24hrs to pay the balance or face debt collection! How quickly the mask fell off once all that was left was to settle the bill. Through no fault of our own and due to the incompetence of Connells Group, we are now out of pocket over £3500, plus the cost of the solicitor. We also find it funny how when they want money they're owed (because their own people messed up) it's 24hrs or bailiffs, but we are also due a refund of the photography fee for using Connells Home Conveyancing, we have to write to head office then wait 28 days for them to make a simple bank transfer. Of course, we paid in order to avoid the hassle and are now left flabbergasted at the rudeness, incompetence, privacy breaches and threats from Connells. A totally unnecessary sequence of events and a completely over-the-top response, no doubt driven by some meaningless sales deadline. We wouldn't recommend Connells or their partner services to anyone after this and looking at the other reviews on here it seems we're not alone. Avoid!
5/5
TrustpilotSophie has been great
Sophie has been great! I have relocated for a new job and she helped me find the best place that ticked all of my boxes - making the relocation run smoothly! Prompt communication and very informative. I was accommodated for when needing a virtual viewing which was very helpful.
Where the same review appears twice we show it once. We leave out reviews that name another agent or another of the brand's offices.
Connells's Dorset office has 1,696 reviews across two platforms: 49 on Google, 1,647 on Trustpilot (across the whole business).
Connells Gillingham is rated 2.0 out of 5 across all 1,696 reviews, and 4.3 out of 5 on Google from 49 reviews.
Connells Gillingham, 4 High Street, Gillingham, SP8 4QT, Dorset, SP8 4QT.
