Opinion and Comment

Tuesday, 20 March 2012 15:12

Written by Editor

Georgia - Estate agent                                  Algorfa, Alicante

I just thought I would share the hassle I am having with a house buyer that didn't take my advice. I had a client that fell in love with a property and his wife was even planning their wedding in the new property.  They made an offer and it was accepted but would not pay a deposit.

I told the client that I could not control the property as it was multi agency. They went back to the UK.

Another agent then had a viewing on the property at the weekend and his clients made a higher offer, which was also accepted. His clients paid the deposit.

I then informed my client that it had been sold to another party.

He was fuming and his wife distraught, then he blamed me! I reminded him that I had told him to pay the deposit and also that the property may go to someone else but his reply was "I thought it was agent speak”, and didn't believe me.
I have received an email from him stating that he is suing me, the lawyer, the vendor, the new buyers and will stop the sale at any cost!
I may use this as a case in point in future. He won’t stop the sale as a verbal agreement means nothing here – it's all about the deposit.

Now, not only do I lose the sale, I get a whole load of grief to go with it. Never pay a deposit eh?!

Emma Webb                                              Ladies That Lunch club

Some whispers "on the grapevine" seem to be sending mixed messages about our group, Ladies That Lunch, and what we do. So to put to rest any uncertainties about us here is a little reminder about Ladies That Lunch!

Two years ago I felt there was a need locally for women to meet socially and make friends without necessarily having to be part of a group that had something to sell or promote. So I formed Ladies That Lunch.

We do not actually lunch – we just have coffee and this is done so that it is easily affordable for everyone.We always choose venues with easy parking and our meetings are always held in a non- sales environment.

The main ethos of the group is to make friends and offer support to one other. We promote ourselves as a non-networking group which seems to have caused some confusion among people who may not have come to one of our meetings.

So let me clarify! We don’t have any set talks by business professionals nor do we hand out business cards or flyers. However,  we do not stop you from sharing information about yourself and encourage discussion on any topic you wish to share – it’s part of you and your life, so we see it as helpful rather than networking.

Often women ask "do you know a solicitor, or a mechanic etc.," and the group will then share their own personal experiences.

I felt I had to write as I have been so incensed by a conversation I had with someone the other day and have just read that around one third of people on what used to be called disability benefit are perfectly capable of work and are therefore fraudsters.

I was talking to a “lady” the other day who has been living here in Spain for a number of years. She used to be a nurse but apparently injured her back while lifting a patient and has been on benefits ever since “from the Government”. She goes to all manner of events and is often seen dancing and certainly walks unaided. If she can do that, she could work perfectly well in some other job.

Let me make it clear young lady, you are not getting the money from “the Government”– you are getting it from me when I pay my taxes every year and you are therefore stealing mine and other tax payers’ money. Come off benefits and stop being a fraudster if you can’t be bothered to get yourself a job!