| "If there was ever a time when you get what you pay for, it is now" | |||||
Rivals unimpressed with estate agent's offer to sell homes for free
"If there was ever a time when you get what you pay for, it is now" was the comment from a Chiswick estate agent who was asked his opinion on rival agent's latest offer. Lauristons, whose Chiswick office closed down some months ago, are said to be offering 0% commission on any property they sell before the end of the year. Whether these are desparate measures or a savvy sales scheme, the offer could cost the company tens of thousands. "Lauristons are simply trying to obtain market share and get a good board presence ready for the new year." says Oliver Finn's Christian Harper. "They plan to sell not many for nothing and use the additional profile to obtain good business in the New Year." He added, "Basically they will be using their clients to improve their brand with no consideration to the public having to pay for HIP's that will run out exactly when the market becomes a hot potato in the Spring season." According to a story in the Evening Standard, potential clients were sent letters by Lauristons offering to sell their homes 'for an unbeatable 0% selling fee'. Fellow agents Foxtons have also used the 0% commission offer when opening new offices to boost market share
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