Brown & Merry Stony Stratford reviews in Milton Keynes

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

£1000 Buyers Incentive

I've just been bought through connells. Unknown to them we had met the vendor. We put in an offer, and got a phone call from the vendor. He had been passed on the offermminus £1000. He contacted them find out why....very interesting explanation. (We weren't going to use in-house solicitors and had our own mortgage broker. Why on earth would I take their offer of £1000 Off when I would pay their broker more than mine? )Anyway, buyers incentive goes like this, according to vendor. I haven t seen the paperwork, so don't know for sure. If we accept in house broker and solicitor we get £1000 off the asking price. And give connells full control and sight of all our correeponce too...... BUT as we didn't do that they then increase their fee to the vendor by £1000 ostensibly as it's takes much more effort to check our finances and identity as we are not using their in house companies.....So it's a rubbish deal for the vendor and buyer. I also got told they couldn't accept an AIP from my bank! As The EA didn't understand the document and needed us to go through their broker. That's their job, isn't it?So anyone looking to sell their house, read the small print, buyers incentive makes your property less attractjve.

Clairejones1987 · 9 August 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

They lie and don't show up to viewings

They lie, and do not attend scheduled viewings. They gave me a scheduled time to view a property in a busy part of Paignton. We had to park in a multi story car park, got to the property ahead of time, no agent was present. We stayed 15 minutes after the arranged meeting time and then left. I called the Paignton office to find out where the agent was and was told they'll find out and call me back. 20 minutes later, I had to call them again as they didn't return my call. They spoke so badly to me and said that they'll get the agent to call me. 3 hours later, the agent called! He said that he was in the car park around the back of the apartments! First all, who waits in the car park at the back, and secondly, we walked around the back into the car just before leaving and saw no-one! An absolute lie!

Jonathan · 5 August 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Where to begin? A truly awful service. Avoid!

Where to begin to describe the truly awful service from the Rugby branch?Took £150+ up front for a "premium package", didn't get the property onto the market/Rightmove for two weeks and even then the property details were awfully basic and missing key information (e.g. no mention of off-street parking).No sense of urgency whatsoever and slow to respond to communications. To top it all off the branch manager promised to call me last Monday to sort it out as it was clear I was at the end of my tether. He eventually called (after a chaser email Monday evening) on Tuesday at around 1100 saying he had been "busy" on the Monday. He obviously knew he'd failed us as he let us out of our contract without an notice.Compare this to the new agent we went with (Payne's) who couldn't have been more responsive and got the property onto Rightmove within 48 hours, with better photos and property details, and without the need to pay for "premium" package.

James · 3 July 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Poor, Lazy, misinformation **AVOID USING THIS COMPANY**

I recently paid for a top end survey to be completed on a house I wanted to by in February (the top survey you can get)I received my report and decided to go ahead with the purchase, however upon entering the property I could instantly tell that the survey had not been completed to a high standard (there are 4 floors and I was advised by the previous owner the surveyor spent less then 30 minutes there)On my report it advised that the property had a combination boiler, no hot water tanks with instant hot water.Upon entering I found that it was NOT a combination boiler, the hot water tank was less then 3 foot away from the boiler itself, the boiler was in a dangerous location (right next to the shower)I was also advised that he had checked for damp with a machine, however upon entering the property I found evidence of damp, the area manager came around to check this and advised it is where there was damp but it now looks like it has been fixed and is purely decorative, a couple of weeks later my decorator came in and advised it most certainly was not just decorative and needed fixing urgentyThey advised that ALL windows had been checked and other then misting on one window and the fact that some of the locks were a little stiff and needed loosening.When I arrived I found several locks were actually broken and windows had dropped meaning they could not be opened, the area manager wouldn't test any of the others because in his own words "he was worried the locks would fall off and wouldn't be able to close again" (so rather then being "stiff" they were indeed nothing of the sort.I paid £495 ON TOP of what my mortgage lender already paid them to complete a top end survey but it seems the surveyor just stood in the middle of each room for 5-10 minutes chatting to the previous owner and then left saying everything was ok.At the end of each section of the survey they put a "disclaimer" saying "we are not qualified gas boiler/damp/whatever the issue is engineer, we advise you to get a qualified engineer if you wish to have more detail"I can appreciate they are not qualified engineers but not seeing this such a massive 5 foot water tank in front of their eyes and presenting false information is going a bit far and because they put this disclaimer on everything you can not pursue any of the complaints via the ombudsmen

Francis · 26 June 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Just an awful experience

Just an awful experience. Senior surveyor Mr Andrew Spalding turned up to my home which was his first appointment after a bank holiday weekend. Stayed for no longer than five minutes, stank of stale booze, and the result was a very inaccurate valuation. Undervalued property over twenty thousand pounds. Stated we had made no improvements on the report despite the fact we have spent over 50k on the house! This was just a man who had no interest whatsoever. Disgusted.

David · 21 June 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

So bad there funny

The worst estate agents/letting agents ive ever used. Rented a home from the swindon branch for a year and them and the office in cardiff were useless. Never returned phone calls,never logged any of the issues we raised with them regarding the property.numerous calls and emails to get our deposit back while being lied too.was given inventory upon leaving the property and was told there was various damage to the property and the landlord wanted to claim against our deposit. I happend to know our landlord who informed me the house was kept in excellent condition and he had not had any contact from connells regarding claiming.if you enjoy being lied to,messed about and love poor customer service this is the company for you.!!!

Gary · 8 May 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Dodgy and probably illegal collection of personal data_Birmingham office

For the first time in my life, when I asked for a viewing of 2 flats that were on sale in the same building I was asked about: 1) my home address; 2) my family status; 3) phone and email; 4) my savings. When I replied that this is very personal information to be given over the phone, the agent told me that the viewing cannot go ahead without me sharing my budget. I said but obviously these flats are within my budget - why am I calling you to arrange viewings. After I said to her that my budget is the asking price she arranged a viewing. Then the nightmare started: emails, calls, voicemails, letters from 5-6 companies per week advertising flats and investment opportunities across the country. After I complained to them, they said that I gave my consent for my profile to be shared with sellers so I can get the best deals...what?? Btw, the flats were originally put in the market two months ago but they were still available supposedly. Then suddenly the viewing was cancelled on the night before the viewing because they were both sold! LOL. My conclusion: these people make money by selling data / personal information to advertisers without the consent of their customers. Dodgy and probably illegal collection of personal data - avoid at all costs no matter how good the properties look on paper/photos!

Nick · 23 March 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Unacceptable behaviour

When making an enquiry to view a rental property, their agent wanted a lot of personal information upfront, which as I explained, was not willing to provide over the phone. The agent became rude, basically stating he did not want to waste his time and needed to establish affordability, even though I stated I'd act as guarantor, however he then asked me if I earned in excess of £60k per annum and owned my own property. My enquiry was to simply arrange a viewing, his poor customer service and rudeness means I will no longer deal with them.

Paul · 21 March 2017

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Why i use Purple Brick

I had three very bad experiences with this company, one on renting a property and two on buying, in two different areas Warwickshire and Dorset. Most of the people i came across were devious and only interested in selling you things you didn't want. Luckily i sold my house through Purple Bricks, it not only saved me £3000, but because everything is done online the estate agents can't con you, as you e mail directly with the people interested in buying your property, or the one you want to buy.if you need a traditonal estate agent which some people might, go to the independent local ones, not the national chains

Mr · 20 February 2017

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

moving home the easy way

We decided to sell the house and move to Scotland so we went to connells estate agent in shirley high street Southampton the service and help we received was marvellous no questions was to big or small each one was answered in a way that you understood no problem was a mountain because Claire bushel and Danielle cording could climb it we allso used the solicitors shoosmiths they recommend because it was easier having it all in house we have just sold our house it was so smooth and easy we did know we had done it just hope we find a good agency like connells in Scotland /many thanks Mr Mrs mcdowell

Snowy · 13 February 2017

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Mr Gordon

I have been dealing with this local branch for almost 5 Years! Natalie Bates in particular has been fantastic! always going that extra mile to help.I have a property in Digbeth Birmingham who this branch have manage fully for a number of years.They stated from the outset they had waiting tenants for this area, and have not disappointed. My Apartment has never been empty during the time they have looked after it.I would most certainly strongly recommend this firm.So impressed with them for my personal requirements, that I now have a relationship with them on corporate basis too.

Julian · 16 November 2016

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Happy buyer and seller

In my 20 years of buying properties throughout the country I have bought and sold lots of properties and I would like to thank the team at the Wolverhampton branch along with it's staff who I have dealt with for many years. I just want to say they stand out as the single best team I have dealt with during this time. This would include some of the biggest property companies in the country. Well done guys and thank you.

Mr · 22 October 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Sittingbourne Branch AVOID AVOID AVOID

Brand new company, unfortunately has come to town. Loud speaking, cocky know it all sales, unreliable mortgage advisor who can't be bothered to return a customers phone call, so you really think I'm going to a) give you £500 for setting up a mortgage and b) let you in my front door to give me a market appraisal - when you don't return calls and emails?? I hope all the other estate agents in town read this and it spreads how awful and unreliable you really are. And this really boils down to the general manager who ever you are. Bad news spreads quicker than good!!!

Mr · 20 October 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

DO NOT USE - DO NOT CARE & BREACH GOVERMENT RULES

This is there worst experience I have ever had in terms of a letting agency. Branch don't care as pass buck to property management company who also don't care. They said here's your landlords number and deal with it. Thankfully we had a nice landlord but who knows why he would pay them a fee. Despite repeated warnings about breaching government code for return of deposit - we still have not had it even though we had full agreement. Court action here we come - I think the other comments speak for themselves and sincerely hope management change their ways but unlikely.

Helen · 26 September 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Dishonest people

I had a very bad experience with the staff at one of the Oxford branches. Branch manager was very dishonest from the beginning, mortgage adviser was not interested in any communication once she received her money which was upfront. I am not surprised to see the rating and review which they have got. All they want is sale at any cost and once they get their money, they don't care.Lesson, never trust any words from these guys unless you have it in writing.

Aziz · 7 September 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

BASINGSTOKE BRANCH - DISGUSTING SERVICE AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Shameful behaviour by all the staff here. No interest in letting us view a property all they wanted to do was come and value ours. Pushed and Pushed until eventually one smarmy agent arrived unannounced and basically told us that unless we let them value our house and sell through them they wouldn't let us view the property we wanted to look at. Finally booked us a viewing and then didn't turn up or tell the homeowner we were going round which left us stood on a sellers doorstep all feeling a bit awkward. Full of lies, every time we spoke to somebody it was more lies. They most arrogant and unprofessional people I have ever had to deal with.

T · 25 August 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

aviod at all costs

First impressions on this company were great. Friendly staff & very informative. Once we found a property we liked negotiations started. The estate agent wanted this done over the phone.. cut a long story short we offered just a little over our budget with the promise of the house being taken off the market and future viewings cancelled. Once the offer was accepted i emailed to find out if the viewings had been cancelled and i got no reply for 5 days! We phoned the agent and he assured us things were ok even gave us some advice on a solicitor. 45 minutes later he phoned and said 'no easy way to tell you but you've been out bid, im so sorry, it came from someone who saw the house before you, it was from another branch i didn't even know the viewing took place they have offered 5k more than you so lets just get all the final figures together and put final offers on the table' I was devastated and angry as on the phone 5 days before he led me to believe that the house was ours! We had been gazumped! He knew that we was already pushing our budget and he was trying to squeeze more out of us! I emailed and explained that 5k was too much and our final offer would be the one we previously agreed on and do you know what.. i didn't even receive an email back! nothing! Disgusting customer service! I do not believe the offer came from a buyer who saw the house previous to us. I do believe that the viewings went ahead on that saturday and the offer came from there! Greedy Liars. They lead you to believe lies. Im glad that the sale didn't go through though actually as i can only imagine the hassle we would of had with them! We have now found another house & offered with another estate agent and once our offer was accepted the house has been taken off the market like they promised. See not that hard is it connells...

Belle · 4 August 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Disgraceful and dishonest service

We was going to buy a house with these chimps. Certainly would never buy or sell with them again. They didn't pass on correct information. Also lied to us on occasion and when I pulled them up about contradicting what they said they could only apologise. Their misconduct is one of the reasons we lost the house in the end and 3.5 k out of pocket due to them allowing gazumping. I received an email apologising for what happened because she couldn't sleep at night knowing that we did nothing wrong. (Guilt talking there) they are not very professional either. They promised to take the house off the market but then changed their mind. As the sale was going through our anxieties were high because it was still for sale on the open market. They promised no one would view it and they wouldn't accept any offers however they did do both! Not very happy with this company at all :(

Nicola · 3 August 2016

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Elliott has been amazing throughout the whole process, has been reliable and efficient dealing with out queries highly recommend.

Connie · 12 January 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

overall poor service

I sold my property with the Kent branch, I would avoid this company at all costs, they recommend I except an offer under the asking price as the customer was a cash buyer. We agreed to this as we was moving 300 miles away and had a property all lined up. The buyer was not a cash buyer and they strung us along for months before finally admitting the purchaser was waiting on a Morgage. When ever you phone they fob you off, I was so sick of this one day I went to the branch and called them whilst standing outside, I asked to speak with my agent and was told he was out of the office for the rest of the day, although I could see him though the window sitting at his desk. We have now moved but the whole experience was stressful from start to finish and the £3k fee charged was not worth the service we received, this company just does not care about the customer.

Ashleys · 16 July 2016

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Letting service is incredibly poor

I have just let with connells - poor service, lack of guidance, keys didnt work, and they told us we had to sort this our ourselves. Whenever I have walked into their branch (considering there are at least 8 people that work in that branch) no one jumps out of their seat to offer assistance, and I have been made to feel like a nuisance. When signing the contract, we sat in silence and a stressful experience was made to feel even worse. I would avoid using them again in the future if I could and would never recommend them. Future landlords, beware how they are treating your tenants.

EB · 24 June 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Very poor customer service

I would not recommend anyone to rent through this agency, the lack of communication is outstanding, they do absolutely nothing for the fees they charge and leave you to deal directly with the landlord. At the end of the tenancy, they expect you to read through a 40-page document to find 2 lines on page 10 mentioning that you are responsible for cancelling! Once they have your money they charge £25 for the privilege of waiting over a week until they even process your refund and then it takes 3-5 working days for this to clear.

Not · 10 May 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Shocking company

This company is shocking undervalued by £45,000, can't get any answers as to why , if a buyer wants to use this company my answer is refuse!!!

Lindsay · 8 December 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

connells maidenhead

Put my property up with a few agents in maidenhead till I found connells. A friendly welcome approach was given when walking into the maidenhead office. Spoke with a gentleman who is manager of the letting side. Tooked details down from me and asked if he could go around asap to photograph and start marketing my property. The advertising on rightmove was excellent compared to the other agents. Al found a tenant for me withen a week being with connells. The best experience and services I have had for a very long time. Great work connells letting team in maidenhead.Will be using them in the near future.

Mr · 25 March 2016