Ben Charles (Durham) Ltd - Sales

96 Claypath
Durham
County Durham
DH1 1RG

Estate Agents

Listed under:  Estate Agents
83% recommended   Rating Ben Charles (Durham) Ltd - Sales 8.2/100
6 reviews since 2012
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Overall Rating
8.2 /10 Overall Rating 8.2/10
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 8.2/10 Friendly Rating 8.2
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 
 
" Found our agent very helpful and easy to talk to."   more
 
" We were promised monthly updates on progress of viewings/interest. This never happened. We were given minimal help in the offer- completion period, nothing was investigated unless we investigated ...."   more
 
" Agent kept me informed and was always helpful & cheerful."   more
 
" Very good service in every way. I’ve recommended other sellers to Ben Charles. One issue only removals Nelson’s had no boxes for me, I packed well some things got broken."   more
 
About Us



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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: 67%
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: 75%
SELLERS Did the firm agree the viewing arrangements with you and comply with these arrangements?
 
Sellers: Offers: 50%
SELLERS Did the firm confirm all offers in writing (including email)?
 
Sellers: Marketing: 100%
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: 100%
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: 100%
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?

Excellent 2
helpful 3
like 2
accept 1
advice 1
boxes 1
broken 1
buyers 1
calls 1
CharlesOne 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 17 Dec 2012
Recommended by customer in DH7
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 8/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 9/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 9/10
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
 
Mid terraced 3 bedroom lovely views to the front in New Brancepeth.
 

"Found our agent very helpful and easy to talk to."
 
 
 
 
 
 


Review 19 Nov 2012
Not Recommended by customer in DH1
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 4/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 5/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 2/10
The staff are friendly and give clear and helpful information
Helpful 2/10
The firm helped in the negotiations between buyer and seller
Show All
 
 
Customer Review
 
3 bed semi on estate in Durham. Additional room on back of garage.
 

"We were promised monthly updates on progress of viewings/interest. This never happened.

We were given minimal help in the offer- completion period, nothing was investigated unless we investigated it, phone calls were frequently not returned.

We received very low offers 5 months before we sold (to a higher offer). But at the time were put under a lot of pressure to accept this very low offer and it felt like they were working in the buyers interests not ours."
 
 
 
 
 
 


Review 7 Nov 2012
Recommended by customer in DH1
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 9/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 9/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 9/10
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
 
2 bedroom semi in cul-de-sac on 1970 estate on edge of medium sized city.
 

"Agent kept me informed and was always helpful & cheerful."
 
 
 
 
 
   Business Reply:

many thanks for your positive feedback. Very best wishes for the future.
Regards,
Ben Waldram
 


Review 6 Nov 2012
Recommended by customer in DH4
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 8/10
The firm acted professionally at all times
Knowledgeable 9/10
The firm showed a good knowledge of local market conditions
Friendly 9/10
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
 
Semi detached house. West Rainton.
 

"Very good service in every way. I’ve recommended other sellers to Ben Charles.

One issue only removals Nelson’s had no boxes for me, I packed well some things got broken."
 
 
 
 
 
   Business Reply:

Thank you very much for the positive feedback. I will contact Nelsons with regard your comments, ensuring I do not advise of specific details. I am concious that if we recommend a supplier we must ensure they are delivering the best possible service. Regards Ben Waldram.
 


Review 5 Nov 2012
Recommended by customer in DH1
 
 
Satisfaction Ratings
 
Professional 8/10
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, Newton Hall, Durham.
 

"Excellent – sometimes no call back had to chase up."
 
 
 
 
 
   Business Reply:

Many thanks for your constructive feedback. I have discussed our offer procedure with Emma and we have agreed safeguards to ensure future offers are confirmed in writing.
Best wishes for the future.
Regards,
Ben Waldram
 


Review 26 Oct 2012
Recommended by customer in DH1
 
 
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
 
1950 semi-detached south facing garden, wood burning stove, recent redecoration of but the bathroom. Parking.
 

"Very friendly, very helpful. Felt like they’d gone over & above what’s required! Excellent advice on the area & what might be paying for in different areas."
 
 
 
 
 
   Business Reply:

Many thanks for your generous feedback. Very best wishes for the future.
Regards,
Ben Waldram
 

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