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A company that has only 80 properties on its books claims to be the fastest growing agency in the UK and pledges to have 50 branches by the end of the year.

EweMove - which says its current 36 branches extend from Torquay to York, each with the motto We'll never fleece ewe - does not give any local office addresses on its website but instead names a branch manager' for each area, with a telephone number.

It says its inventory consists of 70 properties to rent and 10 to sell across the country. When LAT searched the site using a selection of locations it had only two rentals and one sale property in London and no rental or sales homes at all in areas such as Devon, Bristol, Brighton, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Liverpool or Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The firm claims its online system, which it calls Ewe-reka, allows tenants to book their own viewing appointments on a computer or hand-held device without having to visit an office. If a customer likes the property they visit, they can make on offer by telephone or online.

The firm describes its service as (and you've probably already guessed this) ewe-nique.

EweMove's branch directors deal with each client from start to end. This includes giving out personal mobile numbers so that they are always contactable. All our viewings are accompanied, as it has been shown in reports that buyers are twice as likely to place an offer when accompanied by an experienced agent says managing director David Laycock.

The company, which describes the promotion of properties on its books as Mammoth Marketing, also claims that it will sell a client's home in 77 days or you can withdraw your property and pay no fee. It also says customers are not required to pay upfront fees or sneaky hidden charges.

Comments

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    "James has posted his name, which I've got no reason to doubt as being correct..."

    Well, of course you are going to say that, Mr Ackroyd. It suits your argument - which, being fair, MY argument is based upon a name also.

    That being said, Mr Ackroyd, the story hit the screens on 10 February. Most, if not all, of the comments were made within a couple of days of that. Comment from 'James' al that time ago No. Not a murmur. Then you resurface - and up he pops also. There are DOZENS of 'stories' on this site - ALL of them attracting what you (and your sidekick) describe as "negative" - yet he responds to NONE OF THOSE.

    Funny, innit

    Or perhaps you would simply put it down to a mahoosive coincidence.

    Oh - and as far as me posting under a pseudonym - IF I decided to post under "Terry", "Frank", or even "James" (you seem to think that adds clout...) - HOW would THAT make my posts one millionth of one percent more authentic or reliable

    • 07 April 2014 08:25 AM
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    I'm not sure why you would not expect my team to post under their real names. I have posted in my real name. James has posted his name, which I've got no reason to doubt as being correct.

    The irony being you make an accusation and yet post under a pseudonym...

    Anyway, your replies have proved James's very insightful post to be true.

    • 06 April 2014 23:00 PM
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    Awww... did I upset your ickle self with the use of "sh!te" in my post

    I'm sorry - but I thought we were all adults here and live and work in the adult world where people say 'bu99er'... and sometimes even worse. Sincere apologies on the assault on your corneas.

    As far as your illness goes - then I AM sorry to hear you've been under the weather somewhat... but as you have a track record on this site of throwing lit fireworks into rooms and running off to watch the bang from a distance, it is hardly unreasonable that I and others assume you were simply doing it again.

    And you'd better believe that I don't accept your position on your "Guarantee" billshut.

    At last we agree on something.
    (smiley winky face... 'Like'... 'Share'... reTw@tter...)

    • 06 April 2014 20:03 PM
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    Mr Ackroyd - the use of apostrophes on 'James' name was to cast doubt on its validity. I wouldn't expect any of your employees to post under their own name.

    Insult Which one are you referring to - saying that he MAY be a man devoid of hope (which isn't an insult - more an observation...); or that he is one of your employees

    Now THAT WOULD be a kick to the cojones of most that frequent here! ;o)

    • 06 April 2014 19:48 PM
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    There is no need to resort to bad language to make your point. I have been taking things easy due to illness and recent hospitalisation. I've set out my position on the guarantee and we'll have to agree to disagree on this. Although I suspect you'll disagree :D

    • 06 April 2014 17:52 PM
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    PeeBee - We don't employ anybody called James and he does not have any connection with our company. Why do you throw insults at anybody with an opinion contrary to yours Let's keep the debate sensible

    • 06 April 2014 17:49 PM
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    Well, 'James' - I sincerely hope that your employment with this company will be everything you hope it to be.

    But, then, you may well be a man devoid of hope - so it might just meet your expectations...

    • 06 April 2014 10:52 AM
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    Dear Lord...

    So - nearly TWO MONTHS after these comments were placed (long enough in your mind for the story to die down and do you no more damage, no doubt...) you creep out of the woodwork and post THAT sh!te as a response

    YOUR CUSTOMERS, as you call them, see what they read on the internet. It is, after all, the ONLY way you advertise; the ONLY way you can seek new custom.

    WHAT THEY SEE - and therefore, legally, WHAT THEY SHOULD EXPECT - is "The 77 Day Sale Guarantee"

    Speak to your Lawyer. I think you'll find I am right, by Legal definition.

    Oh - hang on - you ARE your Lawyer.

    Then you just do whatever you want. You clearly are already.

    I'll just watch and wait for the courts to decide, if it ever comes to that.

    • 06 April 2014 10:48 AM
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    What a poisonous and unprofessional article(and comments) trying to drag down an up and coming company - stop naval-gazing and stop spewing such negativity!

    • 06 April 2014 10:03 AM
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    Making a larger profit, but charging more for a better service, or a comparable amount, for a comparable service, but having a more efficient business, is not 'sharp practice'. It's good good business management.

    • 05 April 2014 18:49 PM
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    Hi Pee Bee - the guarantee is that if we don't achieve a sale, we guarantee not to charge a penny - And for that we incur a shedload of costs, including EPC's etc.

    So whilst you could spend time playing legal semantics, our customers know the position and are told in advance.

    • 05 April 2014 18:46 PM
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    Guest (Enough) -
    I'm sorry if you're annoyed. Many on here are levelling lots of pointed questions at our model. If you look at Estate Agents today and Letting Agents today, every new business that is launched is met with the 'welcome'.

    However, where people put posts on here to challenge our business, I will respond to put our position across and clear up any inaccuracies. I try to do so in a measured way.

    With regards to ARLA and our Money Bonded Protection insurance, you are correct that it protects landlords monies from agents who go bust up to 25k

    • 05 April 2014 18:43 PM
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    Hi Confused - I never dismiss any form of advertising. I will always test and measure it. I never rely what the crowd do. So we know where every viewer enquiry comes from and ever sales lead.

    Some people follow the crowd - I prefer to base my evidence in empirical findings.

    In a newspaper, you're competing with every other agent in town. That's dumb. Your message is diluted. If you market using techniques that other agents don't use, you have the pond to yourself.

    One of our new franchisees sign up 23 properties in his first month last month - and he didn't use the newspaper. He used a technique that nobody else is using.

    Re tenants - we do not charge tenants fees to apply. So multiple tenants can apply in confidence. They only fee ever charged - to a successful applicant, is an admin fee on move in. They are of course advised of this BEFORE they apply.

    • 05 April 2014 18:36 PM
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    Graham - We have one office, but pay more than the standard portal license fees to reflect our usage. Rightmove and Zoopla et al work differently - but essentially if you're listing more properties than their guidelines allow, they'll charge the equivalent of extra branches.

    • 05 April 2014 18:29 PM
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    Hi Yvette - I've never heard of Ken Dunn

    • 05 April 2014 18:26 PM
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    Glenn can you please tell me if you have anyone on your books called ken Dunn

    • 05 April 2014 18:13 PM
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    I own a letting agency, i have one office. I was looking to expand and open a second office close by.

    I use all the main portals and was disappointed to hear that when i contacted rightmove, they wanted me to pay an extra subscription fee for my new office.

    How would Ewemove get round this, as Rightmove isnt cheap.

    Does that mean if you have 1 main license, so can all the other franchises like your Belvoirs

    • 18 February 2014 18:24 PM
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    Mr Ackroyd has gone very quiet. It seems that he underestimated the reaction to bad mouthing others. If he thinks the response to paper based advertising is pathetic, he misunderstands its purpose & how to use it. I see there are [b]absolutely no fees or charges [/b] at all for tenants who rent through ewe move - either that or they have ignored ASA ruling - which of course they wouldn't as Mr A is a lawyer.

    • 13 February 2014 10:20 AM
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    Glen - its funny - you have managed to annoy everyone. Lots of our competitors annoy us - but we respect them. Your rhetoric just snipes at everyone accusing them of ripping people off (your [url="http://www.ewemove.com/guarantee-my-rent/landlord-warning/"]Landlords warning[/url] ) - your bizarre claim 'Get 257% more rent' claim - the point made below where you claim paper based advertising is sharp practise as it doesn't work but you charge the same even though you dont do it.....

    Your 77 sales guarantee boils down to 'No sale - No fee' - which 90% of agents offer anyway.

    You help tenants save a deposit held in an ARLA Trust account () but if they dont buy - you keep it.

    I could go on - but really mate, remember empty vessels make the most noise. Look at the most successful agents and franchises. They dont boast but have plenty of cause to do you compared to ewe.

    • 13 February 2014 09:59 AM
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    Glen Ackroyd.
    Eneough advertising. Please zip it.

    • 13 February 2014 09:51 AM
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    Mr Ackroyd - thank you for your response to my question. Second time of asking, therefore four months late - but better late than never, I suppose.

    Well... that WOULD be the case IF the 'answer' actually answered anything, of course. In this instance, it simply blows more smoke at your mirror, doesn't it:
    "The 77 Day Sale Guarantee.

    Okay, so if we do not sell a house in 77 days, we do not charge the client a single penny. This is clearly set out in black and white as to what it means."

    THAT, Sir, is NOT a "Sale Guarantee". It is a FAIL Guarantee. BIG difference - and one which I believe that the OFT could (and probably will, at some point...) have a field day on.

    CPRs 2008 state that Agents' marketing should basically do what it says on the tin - and is what "the average consumer" would reasonably expect. Your own web homepage states, as you would say, "in black and white" (with a little pukey green thrown in for good measure...):
    "Sellers
    Enjoy a FAST sale at the BEST price with our 77 day sale guarantee."

    NO *s
    NO (Ts&Cs apply) following in 0.0003pt script

    BLACK AND WHITE. A "Guarantee".

    Sir, you are a Lawyer. In Law, a "Guarantee" is defined as "an undertaking to answer for the payment or performance of another person's debt or obligation in the event of a default by the person primarily responsible for it."

    I put to you that simply offering to skulk away, having wasted ELEVEN WEEKS of prime marketing time, but to "charge not one penny" for this privilege, does NOT, REPEAT, NOT, meet the above definition. Far, far from it.

    You and me could argue the toss about this forever - I suggest we don't. YOUR opinion is all that counts to you and is therefore 'right' - and hopefully for you, should it be challenged legally, that will be the case.

    I'm sure you wouldn't want this to be a case of "told you so...".

    • 13 February 2014 09:49 AM
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    Glenn - I have to challenge your 2 conflicting statements.

    [i]"We don't do the sharp practise of getting our client's to advertise in papers (which get a pathetic response) and inflate the cost to our customers."[/i]

    Then [i]"What we are doing is increasing profits by cutting our costs. Sound business practise."[/i]

    So - you inflate costs to customers and dont even advertise and keep this as profit. Surely this is sharper practice. At least we actually advertise - you just keep the money.

    Your first statement is therefore at odds with your second.

    You dont pass on the saving to your customers in fact you charge MORE than us - you call this 'sound business practise' - thats fine if you feel it works - but how you can say you dont inflate costs to customers beggers belief.

    • 12 February 2014 18:14 PM
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    It's the aggregate of the enquiries that the portals that we use achieve.

    • 12 February 2014 17:49 PM
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    I'm replying to incorrect comments, but you can be assured that I do not spend my hours, wasting them talking about companies that have nothing to do with my own.

    • 12 February 2014 17:48 PM
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    Glenn - can you explain your claim you reach 183 buyer searches each month. I mentioned this to my Rightmove account manager and feared he was going to have an asthma attack from laughing. as its about 3 times the population of the UK [url="http://www.ewemove.com/how-we-helpsellers/why-choose-us/"]Read more claims[/url]

    • 12 February 2014 17:46 PM
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    Hi Peter -

    You've deliberately failed to ignore the fact that we are far more than that, as I've set out in some detail below.

    So all the staff we provide at head office to support our franchisees for example. How many members os staff would you get for 1k a month to run an estate agency

    • 12 February 2014 17:45 PM
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    Hi Lincoln Lass -

    I gave an example. So if other agents in town charge 1.5%, and we did the same (to keep things simple) - how is that 'inflating prices' It's the same...

    What we are doing is increasing profits by cutting our costs. Sound business practise.

    That in turn lets us do one of 2 things;
    1 - Earn more money (or our franchisees do)
    2- Undercut the competition

    It is called free market. Bad and inefficient players will go to the wall. Good operators will compete and maybe do a better job.

    Ultimately, the customer is king, They have choice and will do so based on a combination of price, but most importantly service.

    • 12 February 2014 17:43 PM
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    "I personally would be pre-occupied with running my own business. "

    Well go on then.

    • 12 February 2014 17:42 PM
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    "vast majority retained by the franchisee"

    Don't you eventually charge a 1000 a month to each franchise owner plus another charge for each sale or let

    Based on your example you get 33% + , seems steep for an automated booking engine

    • 12 February 2014 17:35 PM
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    Glenn - its all been said - but I ask you one thing in response to your comment [i]We don't do the sharp practise of getting our client's to advertise in papers (which get a pathetic response) and inflate the cost to our customers.[/i]

    You then quote 1.5% on a 200k sale.

    We advertise in papers, RM & Z plus many other places. We charge less than 1.5%. We are a franchise.

    Q: Who is inflating charges when you are by your own volition more expensive and dont advertise in papers and only need one sale to make money

    • 12 February 2014 17:33 PM
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    Hi The Frank Knight -

    I was not trying to alienate - just replying to the comments. The initial flurry of detailed questioning seems to have been replaced with silly taunts - so I'll hold off and only reply to any inaccurate comments.

    But I fully agree with your sentiments. I have seen countless stories on here and Estate Agency today about new businesses and every one, without exception has mud slinging from current players. I personally would be pre-occupied with running my own business.

    I know the site owners love it - It's great for their visitor hits

    • 12 February 2014 17:33 PM
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    Hi Headway - you're correct that other franchises (I won't get into names, because I don't like bad mouthing) do charge 3 x more, just to get the franchise model. Depending on which you choose, you have to pay a % of income, cost to use software etc, and you are required to get an office.

    However, we are not like other franchises out there. We might be right for one person, but another may prefer AN other company - I've got no problem with that.

    We do things differently. We stand out, ruffle feathers and tell people like it is.

    An office is IMO is an unnecessary expense. 95% of people view their homes online. Why do agents have to use Rightmove and Zoopla if they do such a brilliant job A high street presence is so outdated. 20 years ago, I found my first home by going to town and walking around the estate agency windows. 6 years ago, I did this by searching the internet.

    Agents can keep on trying to convince themselves that by not moving with the times, things will be fine. Just like all the insurance broker offices there used to be before Direct Line pioneered a none-high street operation (and the others closed down).

    Re paper advertising - There is nothing wrong with this per se - except that it gets a very poor response and could be better spent (eg premium listings) - but the fact that some agents charge massive uplifts to naive customers for the privilege is questionable. I'm sure that you use tracking numbers and test and measure your responses, so I'd be interested to know how successful it is.

    I'm glad that some agents also don't charge listing fees or withdrawal fees. Others do.

    I sorry I think that I'm lecturing -

    The fact is that I was alerted to a whole host of misinformed comment and chose to respond. I am entitled to a right of reply.

    As for achieving nothing. I am not going to lower the debate or brag about what we've achieved. We do set out all of our accomplishments in our franchise pack - which have been vetted by the British Franchise Association.

    I have also not referred to estate agents as 'rip off merchants'. I can fully understand that when faced with any constructive argument, it is easy to attack. But the public perception of estate agents is appalling. I'm happy to tell it as it is and by attacked by the establishment - whilst continuing to operate our business differently.

    • 12 February 2014 17:30 PM
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    Dear All - lets stop sniping at Glenn. Let him and his business get on with it and wish him luck.

    Glenn - Get on with your new venture and stop knocking everyone else. I was offended by your suggestion that advertising in papers is 'sharp practise' - where we are, its the main method of sales & lettings.

    Agency is quite a close knit business and most people at the top know each other. Don't alienate people mate - apart from grabbing headlines on an industry only site. you do yourself no favours. Honestly, most people who well do so without slandering and criticising everyone else.

    Good luck.

    • 12 February 2014 17:29 PM
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    Yep - once you have a S21 - all you have to change is the address, name and expiry date. S21's haven't changed since McDonald v Fernadez - its 3 lines of typing. That's all. I know of no agent who charges for it either.

    • 12 February 2014 17:17 PM
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    Hi Headway - 20p for a completed S21 Have you tried running that past Landlord Action or a solicitor. I'll think you find it costs more. However we don't charge anything for this service.

    • 12 February 2014 17:13 PM
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    [i]For our franchisees, one sale per month puts them in profit because the margins are so high[/i]

    Says it all. Tin pot.

    • 12 February 2014 17:12 PM
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    Oh - I forgot the awesome expense of s21. You can print one free from the internet - there is no prescribed format after all. 20p should cover it.

    • 12 February 2014 17:10 PM
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    "For a high street franchise, people are quoted circa 120-150k year one start up costs, being costs of franchise, shop, livery, staff. That's a hell of a lot of cash, for a business that might not get off the ground."

    No one has quoted that. Most franchise fees are around 30-40k for a recognised brand like Martin & Co or Belvoir. You quote 'staff costs' - your franchisees dont have staff. You mention premises - your homeworkers dont need these to work from their dining room. Belvoir fully fit the office with branding and ready to go with integrated IT - provide training and support.

    Paper advertising is sharp practise Thats funny and stupid.

    Few agents charge Listing fees - Withdrawal fees - Fees to create brochures - EPC's perhaps - but at 60-80 & valid for 10 years - so what

    People pay Foxtons 2%+ because they get results. No upfront fees of withdrawal costs there either.

    And, for the record, Landlord Action are registered with the SRA and have solicitors employed.

    I have never read such cr4p as your defence of homeworkers and 3 weeks training. #

    Fact is, good luck to you - get on with it and prove your model - butr dont lecture everyone on how we all are rip off merchants guilty of sharp practise when you have no track record and have achieved nothing. Its wholly unprofessional.

    • 12 February 2014 17:04 PM
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    Hi Peter - I'm not sure where you get 500 a month from - I think you're refering to a let I was commenting on a sale. But assume a 200k sale at 1.5% commission, that would be 3k.

    The vast majority of that is retained by a franchisee.

    • 12 February 2014 16:48 PM
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    Point taken, I could live on 500 per month

    • 12 February 2014 16:35 PM
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    Hi Peter:

    Let me ask one question in the hope of someone being bold enough to answer - How many sales does it take their agency to BREAK EVEN.

    For our franchisees, one sale per month puts them in profit because the margins are so high.

    • 12 February 2014 16:17 PM
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    Oh dear, looks wonderful on paper but does not seem deliver much for your franchisees based on the number of listings I've seen and the numbers quoted in the article.

    I wonder how many lettings they have to achieve each month to make this a viable business

    Thanks for the invite but I've seen & heard enough already.

    • 12 February 2014 15:54 PM
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    Thanks again for opportunities to respond:

    The 77 Day Sale Guarantee.

    Okay, so if we do not sell a house in 77 days, we do not charge the client a single penny. This is clearly set out in black and white as to what it means.

    So this means we will not have charged them (unlike many agents);
    - Listing fees
    - Withdrawal fees
    - Fees to create brochures
    - EPC's

    We don't do the sharp practise of getting our client's to advertise in papers (which get a pathetic response) and inflate the cost to our customers.

    Customers are fed up of agents ripping them off with fees, over valuing from the off - then having people ringing them to 'lower the price', to meet their weekly targeted quotas.

    SImply offer to deliver - and if you fail, don't expect the client to pay for the agent doing a terrible job. I'm sorry if this simple (revolutionary) idea is such an affront to agents who regularly suffer churn because their client's leave them when they've failed to deliver.

    Our franchise fees vary depending on the size of town. Let's see what you might get for you fee - and compare it to other franchises in the sector.

    For a high street franchise, people are quoted circa 120-150k year one start up costs, being costs of franchise, shop, livery, staff. That's a hell of a lot of cash, for a business that might not get off the ground.

    For our fee we provide:

    [list]1 weeks residential training
    2 days in the field training
    1 day in the office training
    2 National Meetings
    Monthly regional Master Class training
    An Experienced Estate Agency Business Development Manager
    Bespoke monthly PR releases
    PR Training
    Bi-Monthly PR Webinars
    Bespoke Facebook Page
    Bespoke Twitter Page
    Branch Page
    ARLA Manual
    NAEA Manual
    Franchise Manual
    Local Phone Number
    Phones Answered 24/7
    Administration support for their calls, viewings, marketing, accounts, rent reconciliation etc
    To Let/For Sale boards, slips and posts
    Business cards
    Business Stationary
    Thousands of leaflets
    Floor plan software (2D and 3D)
    Inspection software
    Inspection dictation reports typed and prepared for them
    12 'Free listings'
    Franchise Support Help Desk
    Marketing Support Manager
    Legal Help Desk
    [/list]

    Imagine setting up your agency from the off. Realistically could you get all of that for 13k You'd blow that on PR for the year alone!

    Our only fees are license fees, which we do not fully charge until month 18. I can assure you that unless our franchisees succeed, we are not making any money out of them.

    That is ultimately the key to our success. Myself and my co-owner are of sufficient means that we not need to rip franchisees off. We only succeed if they do.

    And, as part of our franchise program, every person that gets through our screening has to speak to at least 3 franchisees to find out from them what it's like in the field.

    These are not hand chosen 'friendly' franchisees - They can choose anybody. And we have a franchisee selection panel - so the franchisees decide who is allowed to join.

    Richard: As an example - the franchise cost for an area with 40,000 people would be 12,950 - We have areas for much less than this and greater dependant on the population.

    Peter: You state you'd be worried if you bought a franchise. I don't think you need to worry. We turn away FAR more people than we accept. If you're near Birmingham tomorrow we have bunch of franchisees at our discovery day who you can quiz.

    Kensie: Re Legal fees - Landlord Action are not lawyers. If you went to a solicitor and asked for a price to evict a tenant - Not just a section 8, but Section 21, court action issued, court fee, attend a court hearing, instruct a bailiff, attend an eviction, instruct a locksmith... It adds up.

    Pee Bee: I respond to every question - With my proper name. I never hide and throw stones. I put lots of challenges back, asking agents if they do what we do, but I never get replies to those. Whilst it's one way, I'm happy with the debate.

    • 12 February 2014 15:29 PM
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    It's around 12k plus fees on every let/sold property, not a bad little earner if they have sold 31 already as previously stated !

    • 12 February 2014 12:20 PM
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    How much is a franchise I know what other firms charge as its on their website. As they dont have offices, I assume its less than the others

    • 12 February 2014 12:15 PM
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    I'd be worried if I'd been persuaded to buy one of their franchises, good luck, you're gonna need it !!

    • 12 February 2014 12:12 PM
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    Dear All - Just look at their rent comparison. 1500 in legal fees for a Section 8 Try Landlord Action ! It states 'Increase your net income by 257%' - not 'upto' or example only. I cant believe this is allowed - its scaremongering and misleading. 'Annual surplus' of 3k Only if you tenant fails to pay 3 months rent every year. [url="http://www.ewemove.com/guarantee-my-rent/"]READ HERE[/url]

    • 12 February 2014 11:09 AM
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    Last time this one raised its' head:
    http://old.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/New-franchise-group-plans-to-grow-to-agentstickertape=yes

    You will note that Mr Ackroyd failed to respond to my question relating to the "cast iron guarantee" back in October - wonder if February wil be a repeat performance

    • 12 February 2014 10:53 AM
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    smoke and mirrors......

    • 12 February 2014 10:31 AM
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    The claims on the website are outrageous - too many examples to mention frankly. Still, Ewe may as well get hanged for a sheep as a lamb I suppose

    • 12 February 2014 10:25 AM
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    To the writer of the above piece...

    "The company... also claims that it will sell a clients home in 77 days or you can withdraw your property and pay no fee."

    EXCUSE ME The company ACTUALLY CLAIMS "Were so confident that... represents the best solution for selling your home in 77 days or less, that were prepared to paste a cast iron guarantee on it." They then go on to state:
    "If we agree to market your property, we guarantee that:
    1. Well get you an offer to buy your property in 77 days or less

    And only THEN, after making TWO "guarantees" of success, does the 'what if...' follow:
    "If we do not deliver, this is our cast iron promise to you;

    SO - they GUARANTEE a buyer... but then GUARANTEE that if their GUARANTEE is not met, they will simply walk away and not charge for failing.

    Sharpest of sharp practice - ASA & TSOs should be having a field-day on this.

    And, most importantly - what happened to EAT's GUARANTEE to their readership that you would bring no " fluffy property journalism" to the site.

    Bad show all round, I suggest.

    • 12 February 2014 10:15 AM
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    Hi Mark
    Re "Irrespective of your views on the business model, you have to admire Glenn's ability to generate free publicity."

    Sshhh - Our franchise enquiries have doubled overnight. Let's keep the debate going :-)

    • 12 February 2014 09:43 AM
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    Hi (Guest Just Saying).

    You are correct that only ARLA members can use the logo etc. I am a licensed Member (No M0056428) and have passed the NFOPP Residential Lettings and Property Management Examinations. I am also a qualified lawyer, so on issues such as misrepresentation and libel (which have been routinely tossed into replies), I know what we can and cannot say as a company.

    Whilst it is not a requirement for a letting agent to have these qualifications, we make it a mandatory requirement of our franchise that Branch Directors pass not only this examination, the the Estate Agency NFOPP award as well. Whilst thousands of Sales and Letting agents have staff that are not qualified, we are very focused on making sure that we provide the best quality training, because this ultimately feeds through to the quality of service that we provide.

    The 257% is an example. I don't want to appear to nit pick here - but if a landlord has a tenant who did not pay rent for a 6 months, the returns would be higher.

    The fact is that we have incredible rent collection. So amazing that we can prove that over 99% of our rents across our entire landlord portfolio's are collected every month. I've not found an agent who can match that - Indeed the majority don't even know what the figure is!

    At our Discovery Days, we lift the lid on our systems and show people. It's realtime, so whilst a moving feast, we always beat this figure. So whilst it is very easy to pick out wording, all that our customers want is results.

    They are sick to death of agents who don't update them, leave them in the dark, need to be chased, and then rather then delivering what they want, come up with a heap of nonsense about why they've failed to keep their promises made on day one to get them to sign a contract.

    Estate Agents, rather than throwing stones should focus on why the public rates them as the lowest of the low - Understand that - and then change that, you quite quickly become a stand out in your local patch.

    We're more than happy to be challenged on our service - It's the only way we can strive to improve.

    I'm not sure what reference you are making when you say that 'We've been endorsed by the government' - I suspect that you're talking about our Rent Now, Buy Later scheme. These schemes were supported by Grant Shapps- There is a link on our site to the article. Funnily enough a friendly competitor reported us to the ASA on this and we were able to show them the link (which the complainant had failed to mention). To be clear - He has not endorsed EweMove.com, but rent to buy schemes.

    As for ARLA Money Bonded Protection - everybody who wishes to operate within ARLA must have 25k of client account protection cover in place, per client, which we have.

    I can assure you that our lines are open 24/7 - I don't know the time of your call, or the number, but if you can email me separately at glenn@ewemove.com, I would be very grateful, so that I can investigate. All calls are recorded and monitored for quality purposes and speed of response is a key metric for us.

    With regards to 'Rent Now, Buy Later' - we do not charge a higher rent as all. Often it is below market rent.

    As you say, if a buyer puts down a deposit and walks away - they lose their deposit. Just like any other purchase! We tell them in black and white. As you have been able to find out for yourself, the scheme is completely transparent, with all the FAQ's highlighted. We have an FSA compliance officer who has checked our contract, terms, FAQS's brochures etc to make sure that we explain everything in accordance with 'Treating Customers Fairly' principles.

    Finally - I can confirm that the company does not own any properties. I and my fellow co-owner; David Laycock, do own houses, some of which are on the Rent Now, Buy Later scheme.

    The vast majority of houses that use the scheme are owned by our private landlord clients and the vast majority of houses that myself and David own are not on the scheme.

    • 12 February 2014 09:41 AM
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    Glenn - only and ARLA Licensed member can use the logo on their website - you are not a licensed member. Your claim to get 257% is false as it compares a situation where no rent is received for 3 months - this is misleading to to point of insanity. Your claim that you are endorsed by Government is a lie. You are not. You have libelled the Northwood model and have directly targeted them, You dont have 'offices' you have homeworkers covering huge areas with no resources and even less experience. The company isn't even listed on SafeAgent or ARLA as members in your given locations. You claim you are available 247 - but when I called - there was no reply. You knock other guaranteed rent schemes yet all you do is sell an insurance policy - you promise 100% of the market rent - less you 10% cut and VAT - so thats already 88% of market rent.

    You claim "Our scheme is the most lucrative Guaranteed Rent Letting Agent Scheme in the UK!" - prove it.

    You refer to an ARLA Client money protection trust account - yet there is no such thing.

    And finally - your awesome Rent now - but later. You take a higher rent - keep a proportion as a deposit and if they dont buy - keep the money. In your words - "What happens if I dont want to buy, or cant get a mortgage
    You can walk away, although youd lose your deposit fund that youd built up. Or you can
    sell the property to someone else, possibly at a profit and you wouldnt even have to take
    out a mortgage.'

    I hear many of these properties are actually owned by your company....

    Anyway - well done for sticking your head above the parapet.

    • 11 February 2014 20:52 PM
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    Irrespective of your views on the business model, you have to admire Glenn's ability to generate free publicity.

    • 11 February 2014 20:48 PM
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    Hi all,

    A new business joins the industry and the Estate Agency community throws out its arms with a welcoming hug. Thank you for your kind words :-) Joking apart, I'll crack on with my replies;

    Whilst I will not throw open our business model for the world to see, I will cover off some of the queries posted thus far.

    ARLA - We, EweMove.com are registered for ARLA, as we collect, hold, administer and pay out rents for landlords - Not our Branch directors (who do not collect rent). So we are regularly audited and insured through the Money Bonded Protection Scheme.

    I know a vast percentage of letting agents are not ARLA registered, but we've always been from day one.

    We are therefore fully permitted to use the Arla logo.

    Our 77 Days Sale Guarantee - I note your comments about innovation. It is a sales angle. All businesses have one.

    We also allow;
    - Tenants to book their own viewings online
    - To call to pay rent, report repairs, make an application for a property 24/7
    - Tenants or buyers can apply or make offers online, or by phone 24/7
    - Our landlords get realtime updates on their properties. So if a tenant calls, pays rent, reports a repair, or we upload a document (eg gas check, or invoice) - the landlord gets a full report by email instantly. They are never left in the dark by poor service from agents.

    I'd be interested to know if any of the agents on here do any of these things, as we think that they are very innovative and our customers love them.

    Our rent guarantee policy is a DAS policy - Not unique in itself, I fully agree, but our service is.

    Re being fastest growing - We are looking at other franchise businesses. We started in June, have 37 sold (I think - another 4 this month) - So we are well ahead of target to do 1 a week.

    The comments about 'Homeworkers' are correct to a large extent. Our system of a core central operation (based in Sunny Halifax) removes the necessity for a dying high street presence and the headache of staff. Having said that, we've go 2 franchisees who have expanded into opening offices.

    If anybody would like to see us in the flesh, we're more than happy to show you how we do it, show you the Ewereka system in action and ask us anything. We're doing open days across the UK. To book your time, visit www.DiscoverSheep.com

    Feel free to ask any more questions - I'm wearing my crash helmet ;-)

    • 11 February 2014 18:02 PM
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    I wonder how they managed to get the ARLA logo on their site - don't see how they can be licensed as none of their franchisees seem to be accredited

    • 11 February 2014 15:12 PM
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    The company .... also claims that it will sell a clients home in 77 days or you can withdraw your property and pay no fee. Wow. That IS innovative.

    • 11 February 2014 15:01 PM
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    No likey, no lighty.

    • 11 February 2014 15:00 PM
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    @SteveFromLeicester - indeed - I think you are correct. Seems very unprofessional and their calculations are an absolute JOKE. Still, I cant see Northwood being particularly concerned. They have a few franchisees dotted around and it seems no offices and about 2 properties each. I wonder if EW has read this.....

    • 11 February 2014 15:00 PM
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    I just looked at their website.

    They've dressed up a straightforward rent guarantee policy as something unique.

    Its also interesting to see their attack and written claims of secret profit on a very specific business model which sounds very much like the one Northwoods use.

    • 11 February 2014 13:49 PM
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    Certainly not 'sheepish' about promoting themselves!

    • 11 February 2014 12:36 PM
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    Great self-promotion by a start-up business talking themselves up.

    I can remember when I was briefly the fastest growing agent in the UK. It was a sunny Wednesday morning just after I'd launched. I came into work and by 10 am I'd doubled the size of my business through pure organic growth.

    I had, of course, won my second instruction.

    • 11 February 2014 10:36 AM
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    They have 30 lettings properties advertised in the UK. It seems they are a franchise of homeworkers who probably do a decent job - I see from their website they are ARLA members too. But fastest growing Really

    • 11 February 2014 09:51 AM
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    The claim their scheme is Government approved - not true. There is a link to Grant Shapps comment " Shapps expressed his departments support for private sector solutions that address current challenges in the housing market." It seems some people can make any [url="http://www.ewemove.com/rent-now-buy-later/faqs/"]claim[/url] and get away with it

    • 11 February 2014 09:40 AM
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    The claim to 'Increase your net income by 257%' is completely fabricated and assumes 3 months with no rent received every year - How the ASA or Trading Standards allow this is beyond belief
    See [url="http://www.ewemove.com/guarantee-my-rent/"]here[/url]

    • 11 February 2014 09:37 AM
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    It would seem that any detailed critical comment about this site is not shown.
    Speaks volumes!

    • 11 February 2014 09:37 AM
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    These claims are now a complete joke, what next!

    • 11 February 2014 09:22 AM
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