"F"***ing HELL!!!
Submitted by visitor on Fri, 29/02/2008 - 22:35.
I have just left the highly "professional" company after 7 months...
I can honestly say I hated everything about it and the ONLY thing keeping me there was to clock up the months on my CV... (that and not having any time or life outside of the place to look for other jobs!)
I admit I was extremely naive about them! It was my first job out of uni and they sold it to me - the image, the rewards, company car etc... I have never bought a property however am in a situation now where I want to - but after this experience I am so wary! I know it's not fair to tar all agents with the same brush as I got treated like absolute muck day in day out and there are decent people out there... however I VERY much doubt they will work for this company!
The reason everyone is so young there is that anyone "older and wiser" would probably laugh at the contract of employment if they read it! The casual way we were told to sign there and then or else we "wouldn't get paid our wages in time if it's not signed"... meant that everyone rushed for the pens and signed their life away!
Again I admit to being naive, I'm no expert on legal terms and clauses in contracts but it all seemed "ok"... it's only later you see how they cover their backsides in every way possible and exploit to the most ridiculous degree! I could handle the abusive phonecalls but after being spat on and having obscene letters left on my car - it has to be the worst feeling ever! "WHY do people hate me so much"? ... I realised it was for the brand I was representing... and to be honest I don't blame any of the people who took their anger out on me - I share their views!
What also makes me laugh is that this website is read every day in the offices (it was in my branch anyway!) and all the 'positive' comments on here are left by current employees who have been brainwashed and feel the need to call every other estate agent a "monkey" as least 10 times a day!
The sad thing is I don't think I can say one good thing about this company - the only positive thing for me was making some friends (who left as well!) and having my eyes opened big time! Never in my life have I been so patronized and stripped of all my self esteem and confidence... being set unrealistic targets and figures, being shouted and sworn at to "make some f***ing phonecalls"... having your mobile phone snatched out of your hand and thrown across the office, then being made to feel like you are a failure because you can't refer 10 people a day to sign up with a mortgage broker! (all of this at the same time as being told "we are professional!").
The stories could go on forever and get a lot darker! Lies, deceit, false hopes, exploitation, disrespect, arrogance, rudeness... and some sly and disgusting people who brag about nothing but money and monkies, sitting at the top. I often wonder how it prides itself so much for being successful and gets away with it... I guess with dedicated "departments" each with about 20 people sitting at their battery farm style desks calling 100 people everyday, the statistics of outgoing calls are bound to bring in the business!
...and for those who are reading this at 8:40am now in the "morning meeting" ... have a great day ahead! Only another 12 hours to go...
(7 votes)
i left foxtons a few months
i left foxtons a few months ago.
i do think it was tough, and the hours are unnecessary. they do push everyone to their limits, however, this is the same at many other work places. if you look at working for large recruitment companies, alot of them are like this.
while i was working at foxtons, i met some fantastic people. they didn't screw anyone over.
the only thing letting foxtons down were the sheer amount of phone calls. but as i have said, if you look at companies such as huxleys or s.com, they work in the same way.
credit to anyone who works there now, because in the current climate, they are working damn hard.
the pay isnt great, there are no real perks, its just a test of ability.
i am currently being screwed over by a 'cheap' estate agent, we're looking into suing them.
i would class them as monkeys. and from working at foxtons, i know that atleast i'd trust that if the property was managed, it would mean it was 'managed' and not just during the week.
as for coke, i think you'll find, wherever you work, there are going to be people to do coke. and use your logic, most people who work there dont earn the money to buy coke anyway.
i think it is incredibly easy to shoot down a large company by picking holes in them, but perhaps it would be more efficient for all if you put your time into naming and shaming the smaller agents that blatently ruin peoples lives by shoddy workmanship and dodgy contracts, but get away with it because they are far smaller.
i cant believe someone has created this website.
Foxtons have worsened the
I agree in the first part
Your comments do not make sense. Why would you hope Estate Agents everywhere suffer? People are only earning a living and believe it or not some of us have morals. You state that money should not be an ingredient in property changing hands, so why just attack estate agents, why not attack the government, photographers, HIP providers, valuers, banks and building societies and of course vendors? They all make money from it!! Vendors have the choice to sell their properties privately, so should they choose to use an agent they should pay for the service. I have been an Estate Agent for over 15 years and have a wealth of experience and work for an extremely reputable company. When on a valuation I am constantly faced with Vendors who believe that there property is worth far more than it actually is. After having their properties valued by a few agents, they more than likely go with the over inflated price given to them by, yes you've guessed it, Foxtons!! Foxton's valuers have a shelf life of about 6 months and as they have none or little experience should set alarm bells ringing for Vendors, but alas not. You can see the pound signs flashing up in their eyes and greed is a horrible thing to witness. In my company the first rule of thumb is never to over value a property, and the service we offer is impeccable. We do not cheat, lie or submit false offers, we do everything by the book. Yet Vendors allow greed to affect their judgement, so they are the ones who are to blame, not us. Of course there are some Vendors out there who will use the services of reptuable agents, and to them I say good for you. They will not allow greed to affect the decision they make when choosing an agent!
A bit ignorant
Re the comment about 'Foxtons have worsened the...'
What you have said about estate agents is verging on ridiculous. In that case surely the same could be said about most industries. I think someone should get paid for something if they offer a good service but if you don't feel that you have received a good enough service then simply don't use that agent again, and maybe find your property through a property finder instead, as they will only charge you around a months rent to find a really plush apartment that's advertised on rightmove and primelocation etc!
You need to take a chill pill!
Foxtons Hve worsened the
WAKE UP!!
I could not agree more with
Thank you
Great blog
Ex Employee
Ex Employee
I was at Mayfair!
Lets face it we were taught to lie! I just could not lie to the standard they wanted.The fact was property was and is going down and we are told how to spin this good news to our avantage when really buying later will save you money.
We are taught how to put an offer up, drag it out, play it this way ect.The terrible thing about this is you are meesy with someone who has to trust you and you are expecting payment for skull dugery. People have lost alot of money due to the fact I only earn £600 per month and needed food and heating.To be honest I earned and good wage at some points but why not go Eastern Europe and kidnap some girls and rent them out if it is the money!
They are chasing me for 'damage to my car'Firstly I have my own car which I was not allowed to drive ,I never wanted the car. Secondly you sign to say You will pay what ever they feel basicly and the you are all stunned they want 700 quid for Christ knows what. Please leave this company to dome,alas I feel they will have a ferris wheel of silly young kids to abuse and call it a company
I was at mayfair
Foxtons
Naughty Foxtons!!!
ha ha ha!! this website is amazing! i worked at head office in chiswick a few years ago and it was just as bad then too!! i got sacked as i refused to lie about a deposit to a landlord who kept calling up - foxtons were illegally witholding it and i refused to lie to him when he came to head office to confront us. i was sacked on the spot - taken downstairs and told i couldnt go back up. ridiculous!! always thought i'd be so upset to be sacked but walking out of there that afternoon i felt so relieved. it was my first proper ... okay, not proper, but full time job after uni, i had a law degree and one or two morals and was terrified of standing infront of someone lying to them when i knew i could potentially be accountable. the people in that office were jumped up little idiots - even the management. it was awful - the drugs, the sleeping around with everyone in the office, the sh*t champagne they give you for 'doing a deal' ... ahhh i hated it so much!!
i also STUPIDLY bought a house via foxtons - while i was woirking for them and still a bit brainwashed - could never understand that even though i only wanted to spend £250k that all the houses at that level were awful (according to the sales guys) and they'd only show me things around £320k ... hmmmm ... it's because i had my mortgage consultation with alexander hall and they TOLD the sales guys what i could afford. okay that was what mortgage they were offering but i never wanted to spend that much!! so illegal - they are not allowed to do that!! if you happen to work at the FSA ... maybe you could have a chat with them?!
having said that - if you're selling and dont mind paying top whack on commission - they will get you a good price (or they did before the market went pop) - those poor little sales negotiators will do ANYTHING to get that commission.
Well played
Naughty Foxtons
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