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Two Bad Experiences was More Than Enough<br><br>Our experience with Hern & Crabtree has been extremely disappointing, and unfortunately I cannot recommend this estate agency based on the way we were treated as prospective buyers.<br><br>Our concerns began with a proposed viewing of a property in Heath. Approximately 30 minutes before our scheduled appointment, I was informed that the property had already received five offers, including one significantly above the £375,000 asking price. We felt that the way the property had been marketed and the extremely compressed timeframe placed unnecessary pressure on prospective buyers and left us questioning the transparency and fairness of the process.<br><br>I subsequently submitted a formal complaint setting out our concerns, including the late notification, the pricing and marketing of the property and the pressure being placed on interested buyers to view and make decisions within an exceptionally short period.<br><br>Following my complaint, I was personally telephoned by Hern & Crabtree’s Area Manager to discuss what had happened. During that conversation, I was persuaded to close my complaint on the premise that Hern & Crabtree would assist my partner and me with finding a suitable home and would work with us going forward.<br><br>On the strength of those assurances, I agreed to close the complaint.<br><br>Regrettably, the assistance I was led to believe we would receive simply did not materialise. Hern & Crabtree did not help us find a home. Having been persuaded to bring a formal complaint to an end on the basis of assurances about the support we would receive, this made the overall experience even more disappointing.<br><br>We eventually found our home through another estate agency.<br><br>For us, this was not simply about being unsuccessful in purchasing one particular property. It was about the way we were treated throughout the process and, most importantly, the fact that I closed a formal complaint after being given assurances that ultimately came to nothing.<br><br>Buying a home is stressful enough without prospective purchasers feeling pressured or being given expectations of assistance that are subsequently not fulfilled.<br><br>Our experience with Hern & Crabtree fell considerably below what we expected from a professional estate agency. Given everything that occurred, I regret agreeing to close my original complaint and would not use or recommend Hern & Crabtree in the future.<br><br>An extremely disappointing experience from beginning to end.<br><br>UPDATE FOLLOWING HERN & CRABTREE’S RESPONSE - 10.09.26<br><br>I stand firmly by this review. I withdrew my original complaint following the Area Manager’s intervention because I was persuaded to give Hern & Crabtree another opportunity, on the understanding that they would assist us in finding a home. Thanking him at the time for intervening does not erase what happened before or what followed.<br><br>Sending property particulars is not the same as the proactive assistance we understood had been offered. Ultimately, Hern & Crabtree did not find us a home; another estate agency did.<br><br>I also fully understand that estate agents act for sellers and communicate competing offers. My criticism concerns how matters were handled and the pressure we experienced as prospective buyers.<br><br>Hern & Crabtree are entitled to disagree with my assessment, but that does not make my account inaccurate. I find their response disappointing because, rather than acknowledging our experience, it seeks to rebut and reframe it.<br><br>I stand unequivocally by my review and will not withdraw it simply because Hern & Crabtree disagree with my assessment. My position remains unchanged and I consider the matter closed.... Read more
10th Sep 2026 (7 weeks ago)