David Martin Estate Agents - Sales

29 Crouch Street
Colchester
Essex
CO3 3EN

Estate Agents

Listed under:  Estate Agents
83% recommended   Rating David Martin Estate Agents - Sales 8.1/100
6 reviews since 2012
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Overall Rating
 8.1 /10 Overall Rating 8.1/10
Based on 6 reviews since 2012
 
 
 
Professional 7.8/10 Professional Rating 7.8
The firm acted professionally at all times
 
Knowledgeable 8.7/10 Knowledgeable Rating 8.7
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
 
Friendly 8/10 Friendly Rating 8.0
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
 
Helpful 8/10 Helpful Rating 8.0
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
 
 
 
Recent Reviews 
 
" I was raised locally so was aware of David Martin. Some years ago, I had heard that It was a good professional firm. When I put the offer in for the house I didn't have any cause for concern. The ass...."   more
 
" Very helpful contacted seller immediately regarding offer. Unoccupied property and never refused to accompany us when we needed access to the house."   more
 
" Excellent service."   more
 
" Overall competent service. Had to be reminded to remove “sale board” as same was left in place even after completion."   more
 
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Reputations are not built overnight
In Referenceline's view, this track record is more important than the ratings. Don't be impressed by a few old reviews which may not be representative.  Look for firms with a commitment to asking for feedback - good or bad - from their customers.  We recommend that you look for a track record of ratings and reviews in at least 9 of the last 12 months and that you should not be too concerned about an isolated negative review.  Ask the firm for their side of the story.
 


 
Code of Practice
Businesses have a legal responsibility to treat you fairly, but it's often hard to know what questions to ask or what standards to expect.  They are the experts and you should be able to rely on them to help you make decisions.  These questions explain the commitments that this business has made to follow a code of practice and they will help you understand what you have a right to expect.
 
Sellers: Ombudsman: 67%
SELLERS Did the firm show you evidence of their membership of an Ombudsman scheme to give you free, independent review of any complaints ? (eg is the Ombudsman logo shown on the sales particulars for your property?)
 
Sellers: Fees: 100%
SELLERS Did the firm clearly explain their fees, expenses & business terms and confirm this in writing (including email) before marketing your property?
 
Sellers: Buyer services: 50%
SELLERS Did the firm make clear whether or not they wish to offer other services (such as mortgages) to potential buyers of your property?
 
Sellers: Particulars: 100%
SELLERS Did the firm ask you to confirm the accuracy of the draft particulars before marketing your property?
 
Sellers: Viewing: 100%
SELLERS Did the firm agree the viewing arrangements with you and comply with these arrangements?
 
Sellers: Offers: 100%
SELLERS Did the firm confirm all offers in writing (including email)?
 
Sellers: Marketing: 67%
SELLERS Did the firm ask you whether or not the property should remain on the market after the offer was accepted. (n/a in Scotland)?
 
Buyers: Ombudsman: 50%
BUYERS Did the firm show you evidence of their membership of an Ombudsman scheme to give you free, independent review of any complaints ? (eg is the Ombudsman logo shown on the sales particulars for your property?)
 
Buyers: Marketing: 100%
BUYERS Did the firm tell you if the property was kept on the market after your offer was accepted, or was put back on the market later on. (n/a in Scotland)?
 
Buyers: Accuracy: 100%
BUYERS Did the firm give you accurate (i.e. not misleading) information about properties?
 
Buyers: Offer: 75%
BUYERS Did the firm accept your offer without attaching any conditions (such as that you should arrange your mortgage through them)?
You can see how many customers have said "Yes" in answer to each question, but please don't expect 100% in every case.  Nobody's perfect and some customers may not be completely sure about the answer.  It's more important that you understand these questions and discuss them with the business so that you both agree what good service means for you.  A responsible business will be happy to explain the details to you and it's always better to clarify these points upfront to avoid misunderstandings later on.
 


Most Popular Words
Reputations are about so more than just ratings. What are the words that customers tend to volunteer when a firm is mentioned? Do they mention particular people that work there?

service 2
“sale 1
access 1
accompany 1
board” 1
competent 1
contacted 1
Excellent 1
expected 1
helpful 1
These are the words most often used in the reviews for this business. Look for the names and comments that reviewers use most often. We count each word once per review.


 
Reviews that match your Budget
There are many good businesses listed on this site. Some may specialise in either larger or smaller budgets, while other may cater for the full range. See if this business has demonstrated a track record of experience that matches your needs.
 
This chart shows the value of the reviews received by Referenceline, so you can see if they generally handle the size of budget you have in mind. You can use the filter below to select the reviews that match your need.
 


Customer Reviews
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Review 15 Jul 2016
Not Recommended by customer in CO3
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 1/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 5/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 1/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 1/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
The property is a Bungalow in Colchester

"I was raised locally so was aware of David Martin. Some years ago, I had heard that It was a good professional firm. When I put the offer in for the house I didn't have any cause for concern. The assistant to the branch manager handled my purchase. The below illustrates my experience and perception of this agent.

I found that close to Exchange and very close to Completion the level of communication from the agent dropped significantly (eventually stopped at one point) and I couldn't get hold of the assistant or the branch manager. I had one or two questions I needed answers to and I could not get helpful attention when I emailed and called. There was absolutely no out of office notice or proactive email to tell me whom I could talk to at least.

I eventually reached a chap who seemed customer focused, chased and answered my first question and told me that he would be my main point of contact through to completion (which was 3-4 days away)and gave me his details. On my next call to talk to my new contact about a second question, the assistant suddenly appeared and over-ruled the arrangement as my new contact was "just a negotiator".

The customer handling skills (experience level perhaps) of the branch assistant was very wanting, rudely cutting across my explanations and clarifications of what I needed (which was simple) and when I pointed out that I was a customer and hinted that one would expect the requisite professional treatment she told me that I was not her customer. When I asked to be connected to the branch manager, she said that wouldn't be possible as he was a "director". She said that when she had been out she had sent an "out of office" - which I certainly did not receive. When I mentioned that I would feedback on my experience I was in effect told that I must have time on my hands. On the same call she stopped mid sentence and passed on the answer to my question as it was given to her by the person I had asked in the first place.

The lack of listening skills and chaotic manner of handling my query wasted a lot of time and energy. The answer was feasible and simple, it was a confirmation that I needed.

On Completion day when I received the relevant calls I went to pick up the keys to the house. The front office didn't appear to be on top of things and had no idea that Completion had been reached. I waited until they figured out what was happening.

Overall, as a Buyer I had a thoroughly negative experience of David Martin. I have sold and bought houses before so have seen what "good" and "not so good" look like. This was disappointing because I expected better from David Martin given my previous knowledge of them.

I have a family member wanting to sell her house in Lexden next year, another planning to also move here from London. When my family, friends and neighbours ask me about my experience it would be very hard to recommend David Martin.

One would hope a branch manager is visible and reachable. One would also hope that if an assistant is put in place then they have had enough training to be able to guide an unhappy Buyer through some sort of professional/established complaints procedure rather than completely confuse them.

To get this feedback link I have had to ask referenceline to send it to me as David Martin appear to have ignored their request to send it to me.

I am sure that those running this shop at the top of the firm do understand that Buyers do move the market forward and help the money flow. Buyers don't expect being abandoned after Exchange and not treated as customers.

Finally I want to be a little positive despite my experience with David Martin. There is at least one person in David Martin that has good potential and that is the person who took my call, listened well, owned the query and answered it and put himself forward to be helpful for any further queries. Hopefully this is the model David Martin would want to project to Buyers."
 
 
Team:
Ms Cox, Mr Price
 
 
 

Review 10 May 2012
Recommended by customer in CO3
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 10/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 10/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 10/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 10/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
4 bed detached in need of moderation. Excellent position for sun in garden.
 

"Very helpful contacted seller immediately regarding offer. Unoccupied property and never refused to accompany us when we needed access to the house."
 
 
 
 
 
 

Review 20 Apr 2012
Recommended by customer in CO3
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 9/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 10/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 10/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 9/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
Sold bungalow 3 bed – large garden, £170,000. Bought 1 bed flat £129,000.
 

"Excellent service."
 
 
 
 
 
 

Review 17 Apr 2012
Recommended by customer in CO4
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 7/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 7/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 7/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 8/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
3 BR Mid terraced house in Colchester.
 

"Overall competent service. Had to be reminded to remove “sale board” as same was left in place even after completion."
 
 
 
 
 
 

Review 12 Apr 2012
Recommended by customer in CO3
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 10/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 10/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 10/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 10/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
 
 
 
 

Review 10 Apr 2012
Recommended by customer in CO3
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 10/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 10/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 10/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 10/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
Semi detached house with garage & large garden.
 

"All went as expected."
 
 
 
 
 
 
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