Agents’ anger as Rightmove puts up their subscriptions – ‘Our annual slap in the face’

Rightmove has sent out letters to agents telling them that their subscriptions are to rise. The portal has strongly defended its hikes.

One agent, who will see their monthly cost before VAT rise from £725 to £865, said: “Rightmove will now cost my business £12,456 a year including VAT, which is the equivalent to our fee income from eight property sales.”

The agent said the rise will mean that the business will be paying more to Rightmove than the combined costs of Zoopla, PrimeLocation, OnTheMarket, its own website, back-office software and the office rent.

The agent said: “How dare they do this to us in a tough market?”

Another agent receiving yesterday’s letter described it as the “annual slap in the face from Rightmove”.

Last night, a spokesperson for Rightmove told us: “We began communicating pricing changes in September 2018 and the price an agent pays depends on the level of exposure an agent gets on Rightmove.

“The majority of agents choose to add various types of product to their core package at a discounted rate, to help with the exposure they want to achieve for their brand and properties.

“We continue to enhance our offering for agents and consumers and each package puts an agent’s brand and properties in front of the UK’s biggest home-hunting audience, gives them the use of market intelligence reports to help them win business, and offers access to Rightmove’s training events.”

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86 Comments

  1. The Outsider

    Did you not know this was coming?

    Are you forced to use them?

    Do you have other options?

    Report
    1. GPL

      This NEWSFLASH would have been unthinkable in the past…..

      “Rightmove in CRISIS as Estate Agents exit portal following exorbitant annual increase demands!”

      Let’s look a little closer, because the evidence suggests there is a “Crisis”, lack of staff (I was told there was no one available in Scotland to visit my company and discuss what value Rightmove offered my business), unjustified annual increases signalling that Rightmove Subscribers are indeed leaving so the cake is getting smaller thus those remaining will be paying more for their slice of Rightmove Cake! a complete lack of engagement from Rightmove with the growing level of unhappy Subscribers, a complete lack of effort to retain existing subscribers who serve notice because of Rightmove’s well documented shortcomings……

      It’s a BOLD move by Rightmove to effectively signal to their Subscribers….. “If you don’t like Rightmove then you can F***O**!”

      There is a cracking media story here about the resentment that Rightmove have created amongst their Subscribers, due to their (Rightmove’s) exorbitant Annual Increase Demands. The fact that Rightmove do NOT actually seek to serve their Subscribers, merely milk them dry, the fact that Rightmove claim to serve the public when in fact they really serve themselves/their Shareholders ……and the fact that Rightmove’s dominance has created a Monster Portal which is now under attack by OTM & Zoopla…. notwithstanding the Estate Agents who actively supported and subscribed with Rightmove from Day 1 are now deserting it because it has simply lost any sense of its relationship with Estate Agents.

      The bigger they are, the harder the fall!

      We are amidst the turmoil of Brexit however Rightmove is about to undergo Rexit – with the drip of Rightmove Leavers becoming a steady flow, then a flood turning into a torrent!

      Rightmove should now rebrand as Wrongmove – because that’s what they are.

      When Rightmove blatantly signal to their Subscribers that they are NO LONGER IMPORTANT to their business, don’t be suprised that they leave and Rightmove’s income base starts to crumble ….as you desperately try to hide it with exorbitant increases!

       

       

       

       

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      1. Londonbound

        It must be tough knowing you have to sell 8 houses to cover your costs…?

         

        Report
        1. rsvstu97

          Whats that supposed to mean?

          Report
  2. gardenflat

    Got my letter yesterday. Gave my notice yesterday. Enough is enough.

     

    Report
    1. apples

      Out of interest, how many of you guys have actually formally quit Rightmove in the past 6 months or so? As they seem to be increasing prices for members as their membership growth begins to fall? Also, from a competitive position, are Zoopla and OTM not as good if not better for lead generation than RMV? I feel sorry for you all, big increases at a terrible time.

      Report
  3. Richard247

    Stopped with Rightmove/Zoopla last November. Just with On The Market very happy still receiving lots of leads and with there Tv campaign vendors are happy.

    Savings of 2700 a month

    stop  complaining  You have a  Choice

     

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    1. MF

      Us too – just listing with OnTheMarket.  All good.

      Report
  4. DSS59

    Received mine yesterday with a 13.5% increase. On a positive note the area rep came in the week before with some “free” umbrellas!!’

    Report
    1. surrey1

      Wait, what? I had a 25% rise for a notebook. Maybe it was when I advised they weren’t welcome they stashed the brolly.

      Report
    2. Quags

      We’ve never even met a rep from rightmove.  Just some anonymous fool who seems to change week to week.

      Report
  5. JonnyBanana43

    If you call your “rep” and tell them you’re thinking about leaving they will reduce your monthly price. I did this in November.

    Lots of high end agents are considering leaving, particularly as leads from OTM are getting better and better.

    There is only one this is going Rightmove…!

    Report
    1. biffabear

      They reduced my fees 10%.

      I was shocked. I gave notice 5 years ago and they just said bye.  I think they must be starting to change their minds.

      Report
  6. Richard247

    P.S Rightmove Will threaten you by saying when you come back you will not be on the same deal and put your price up . ( good to see there looking  after the customer) 🙂

    Report
    1. gardenflat

      Irrelevant when you have no plans to come back. 

      Report
    2. MisterP76

      Are they run by the EU negotiators?

      Report
      1. biffabear

        Often I think we behave like the UK Government begging for a deal, but at the same time, saying don’t worry, we will never leave.

        Report
  7. The Blame Game

    Is it true their new “Head of Customer Relations” is Richard Turpin?

    Formally known as “Dick”

    Report
  8. office@antonyrichards.co.uk

    Negotiate. I’ve saved over 50%. That said, the leads are well less than Z and OTM. Might just leave anyway.

    Report
    1. JonnyBanana43

      Do it. Strength in numbers!

      Report
    2. rsvstu97

      Ditto.

      Report
  9. Budgie boy

    I got my letters yesterday, my subs are up by 20%. I’ve made my mind up, they can stick it and they’ll get 20% of absolutely nothing now. Ive recently cut my fees to the bone, in what is a challenging market for estate agents, these jokers need to stop filling their boots and get real.

    Report
  10. Proper Tea & Meds

    All agents will be receiving an invitation over the coming weeks to join a free (forever) portal. The letter will also seek to explain the benefits to agents of a portal with integrated social network versus the traditional portal. Benefits such as buyer and tenant leads with much richer data, a tilt towards vendor and landlord leads (again free), faster communication with prospects, increased marketing and branding opportunities.

    Report
    1. Peter

      Nothing is free

      Report
  11. smile please

    This is an abusive relationship. We all accept what RM say and do as we are too scared to walk away.

    I am actually very disappointed in myself.

    Report
    1. AgencyInsider

      It could be said that RM is as addicted to profit as some people are to gambling. See what I did there SP? 😉

      Report
      1. smile please

        They are, it’s certainly not an illness but a choice 😉

        Report
    2. Mothers Ruin

      That is exactly how I feel about myself thanks for highlighting that. They say self-awareness is half the battle. If I don’t get a free brolly now I think I might cry! Maybe be need therapy to wean ourselves off Rightmove.

      Report
  12. MisterP76

    As a non-estate agent I really don’t think you guys should be so scared of Rightmove or more to the point of ditching them.

    Anybody serious about buying a house will explore all possible avenues, all online portals, newspapers, for sale boards, social media etc

    If agents left on mass that would be poetic justice, you guys need to unite and leave.

    Report
  13. NAL4726

    Nice to see some ‘positive’ RM bashing, listen to your competition that have long departed with no determent effect to business, or just keep paying but then stop complaining, a choice is in front of you, has most are now saying, and some accepting. Just try it, if you believe you will die without RM, then you are in the wrong business and RM will just keep on raising the price, aka Apple.

    Report
    1. singlelayer

      Apple who are now seeing their profits hit because they’ve drip-fed too long and customers are starting to say enough’s enough.

      Report
  14. Essjaydee51

    Welcome to a small part of the real world!

    rms.fee equates to more than the combined list above!!

    You must work out of your bedroom if your office rent can be thrown in to all those other costs.

    Give a thought to all of us paying high street rents and some with rates on top, actually scrub that, you wouldn’t give it a thought.

    Report
  15. Old Sage

    We handed in our notice about 3 weeks ago as we knew this was coming. We were paying almost £2,000/ month for 2 offices with sales and lettings. The increase would be costing us another £4,320 per annum. Despite handing in our notice they have made no effort to try and keep us and we still received a letter this week notifying us of the increase!!

    This is part of the response we received…….

     

     
    Thank you for your e-mail. I’m sorry to hear that you’re looking to leave Rightmove and I’d like to guide you through the next steps. I’ve organised a pending final day on Rightmove of 28/02/2019 for you, which means your properties will continue to display right up until close of play that day. Your Account Manager Charlie and I will be on hand to help with any questions you might have leading up to your final day on Rightmove. We can be contacted on the following details:
     

    Report
    1. Movingexperience130

      We handed in our notice a few months ago but under contract until April. We have had no response to the notice at all. We are going to leave. They are an overhead we do not need as the leads we are getting from On the market are getting better  We may go to Zoopla as well, we all have a choice. We will still save about 22k pa. Or maybe we just stick with Rightmove on there very basic package. The Jury is out but they are like Michel Barnier an arrogant ****. In fact Rightbrexit might be the way forward…………….

      Report
    2. biffabear

      You must hold out.

      Report
    3. WiltsAgent

      Identical to the email I recieved a year ago when we left. You are corresponding with a computor. ‘Charlie’ or whoever the latest rep is will only speak to you the day you leave asking you to remove their logo from your window. Since we never displayed their logo anywhere ours was a very short conversation.

      Report
  16. info@samsaccommodation.co.uk

    I have tried negotiating the increase with Rightmove and they don’t want to know. We have one Office and the costs have been going up every year. I’m reassured by those of you who have left them so I will do the same with my Business.

    Report
  17. KC54

    Leaving is the only way!  We have recently analysed all leads and the percentage of rubbish generated by rightmove (particularly phone calls) is much greater than Z or OTM.  All three do generate quality leads, but at double the cost per lead of the others and the fact it actually involve us in a lot more work, my mind is made up.  Notice being given today.

     

    Report
    1. apples

      @kc54 I’d love to learn more about this, sounds like you’ve done your homework/analysis?

      Report
  18. Ostrich17

    Tips for negotiating with RM:

    – tell them exactly what you want (avoid being nebulous)

    – make it clear that it’s your deal or “no deal”

    – if they ignore you, be prepared to leave and trade under OTM rules

    Report
  19. bradders66

    Received my letter last week and was told my fee was going to raise by £300 per month! £3600p/a. have taken the decision to give notice to Rightmove and have signed up with Zoopla who have offered me a deal that will save me £1000 per month! £12,000 p/a. I listed my first properties yesterday onto Zoopla and received a phone enquiry on one of the properties within two hours! Had nothing from rightmove on this property for 2 months! You have to be brave and put your faith in your reputation and educate your client base and potential vendors where you will be advertising and keep at it. Raise the profile of Zoopla and On The Market as much as you can and the word will spread!

    Report
  20. MrsC

    As a non-estate/letting agent, RM are not the be all and end all. So many other portals and avenues to market a property and to reach a prospective buyer.

    Like I said, I am not an agent, but as someone who has been looking for a new property, I search high and low online so just because you remove RM, it does not mean that you will lose a sale.

    Report
    1. Property Pundit

      Good to hear.

      Report
  21. Quags

    Desperately wish we could leave, we are just too nervous of the negative effect it will have on listing conversions.

    Report
    1. gardenflat

      I understand, but this is also the reason why we get 20% annual rise letters, it has to stop somewhere.

      Report
    2. JonnyBanana43

      It will not stop you getting jobs..!

      Report
  22. revilo

    We sold houses well before RM came on the scene! The world doesnt fall apart by removing yourself from an advertising platform..

    Surely this is why ‘we’ backed OTM in the first place? To put control back into the hands of the organ grinder ….

    Report
  23. Robert72

    Today is our 3 month anniversary of being off Rightmove.  Went back on to Zoopla to assist with transition and intend to drop later in the year.  Better sales than last January despite all going on.  Not saying that is down to not being on RM but it would reinforce the view that while everybody looks at RM for property porn serious buyers are looking elsewhere.  Yes some vendors can’t see beyond it but we can now boast our recent sales to support our case and many vendors see where we are coming from anyway.  One December instruction came to us despite 2 quotes from RM agents that were 50% ad 33% of our fee and both suggested £325K when we marketed at £300K.  Not a pre-existing relationship either.

    Gird your loins, get a grip and take back control (sorry!).  It really is an abusive relationship and if you were giving advice to a friend or relation who was in such an abusive relationship you wouldn’t tell them to just carry on, would you?

     

     

    Report
    1. biffabear

      Well said.
       

      Report
  24. PeterAgent

    Is it possible to boycott Rightmove for a week from 1st March to 7th March for all the agents? this way Rightmove might loose their first position and Zoopla or OTM comes first.

    Report
    1. biffabear

      Well said.  Or the whole of March?
      Probably not much will be happening in March anyway. They’d be screwed.

      Report
    2. JonnyBanana43

      How can we do this? Everyone needs to get behind it. 

      Report
      1. PeterAgent

        Lets start this via twitter. Anyone interested could use the #OneweekoffRightmove for first week of March 2019.

         

        Report
  25. scruffy

    I told my Rep by email yesterday that I was unhappy with the proposed rise of 16.2% and, like an Exocet, faster than a speeding bullet, even a rail gun, (or something else that is very quick)  he responded with a meeting planned for later today.

    Sample questions I am considering

    1. Has/does your pay rise in line with your agents?

    2. Name another industry supplier, in any field, where prices have risen on average by 10% p.a. for the last 10 years

    3. Is it reasonable to assume that as agency fees have plateaued or fallen over the last 10 years whereas Rightmove’s have risen 159% over the same period, you are rather taking the **** ?

    The party is over as far as I am concerned. Serves them right for not even bringing a bottle. I already have enough umbrellas so that won’t work. I’ve had better business relationships with our lettings contractors who each show appreciation for the work we send their way.

    Report
    1. P-Daddy

      Firstly they will tell you that they will give you brand awareness.

      They will tell you how many valuation and tenant leads they send each month. Look at the postcodes on your leads and see if they are actually your area, and push them if not! You will find it is aimed at the corporates who cover large geographies and as a cynic, it is a lead because someone lives in a house/flat and may need to sell one day. Unless your firm covers the whole country, that is not a genuine lead and therefore not a vindication for inflation BUSTING increases.

      Also look closely at the information contained on their referral emails. They claim they are qualified…how many come through with false addresses or telephone numbers with lots of 0’s in!

       

      Report
    2. AgentQ73

      When they start banging on about how many vendor leads they send you ask them what % of those leads were in your area and how many went on the market with an agent in the following 3/4 months. Given they have stats for everything they should have no problem giving you an answer.

      Report
  26. Robert72

    On another note, its great to have a good RM story to get stuck into they’ve been lacking this year so far.  Seems to have the same effect on estate agents that the thought of Corbyn getting into number 10 does on the Tory party.  A great cause to rally round-we’ll miss it when its gone and it will be gone.

    Report
    1. Property Pundit

      Will anyone miss rightmove when it’s gone?

      Report
  27. AgentQ73

    On a separate note does anyone know why when you go onto Rightmove and search for agents depending on what town you look at Purplebricks appear multiple times ? For example they appear seven times for Southampton, looking like they have seven branches in the town when ?

    Report
  28. WiltsAgent

    Left almost a year ago and will never go back. If 2018 was challenging I think this year will be in a different league. Zoopla and OTM freebie more than satisfactory. For a single office independent like me rightmove makes no commercial sense. Couple that with their attitude problem why stay? A local independent has just closed, an empty office still proudly displaying his rightmove window sticker. So he carried on paying them as his business went to the wall. Like a drug addict who only stops paying his dealer when he finally kicks the bucket.

    Report
    1. MF

      Completely agree.  We left Rightmove many years ago.  We left Zoopla five months ago (must admit to hesitating/worrying for several months before doing so).  No regrets so far – OTM is providing sufficient good quality applicant inquiries.

      Report
  29. forwardthinker

    How do we go about a boycott in March then. About 50 disgruntled agents here which is tip of the iceberg stuff.

    We need a movement

    Report
  30. forwardthinker

    A boycott is a good idea and I suggest for a whole month, but how we do go about that collectively? We can’t just cancel our standing orders without some form of action by RM.

    Thinking about it, if everyone did it they would probably go into meltdown. MS will be seeing these comments.

    I’ve let my feelings known to the new account manager, second in six months who telephoned and offered a visit. A chance to meet and see if we are getting the most out of Rightmove, to which I then dished out some professional abuse which saw him off.

    Our longest standing rep, as long as I have been in the business is now with OTM. Confirms my views of that rep and say’s a lot about the culture of Rightmove. Very frustrating though because middle aged vendors and landlords know RM so well.

    Gold member of OTM, but do I vote with my head or the public perception? That is the predicament I guess we are all in.

    Report
  31. Cheesybiscuits

    I have to say that OTM leads have properly picked up now. Think Rightmove can lump it. Zoopla still very good for lettings

    Report
  32. Property Poke In The Eye

    Agents who are still on RM and moan, deserve it to be shafted by RM.

     

    Bring down the beast we created.

    We came off in July 2017, makes no difference.

     

    Keep focused, keep positive.

     

    Report
  33. s71

    To dethrone Rightmove, the following needs to be done specially in the smaller towns. take a small town for example and there are 3 agents in that town, all of them need to get together and ditch Rightmove, anyone looking for a property will find the property on Zoopla or OTM and google search will lead them to all available listings in that area.   if every small town does this  then Rightmove will be finished as then it will start hitting their shares,   A small ripple can create a tidal wave

    Report
    1. Chris Wood

      “All of them getting together” may well be construed as a cartel-like activity by the CMA and Trading Standards (ironic given the monopolistic type attitude of Rightmove). I am today writing to my owners about Rightmove and taking soundings. What everyone else does is down to them. I’ve had enough of BOHICA (Google it)

      Report
    2. Property Pundit

      There will always be one ‘snake’ who would defy a co-ordinated action plan just to get ahead of the competition.

      Report
  34. Property Poke In The Eye

    It would be good to know at which price point agents will say enough is enough.

    A. £1250

    B. £1500

    C. £2000

    Rightmove’s plan over 5 years is to treble the fees.

    Report
    1. gardenflat

      My latest increase would have seen me pay band B for standard sales & Lettings. Enough is enough.

      Report
  35. forwardthinker

    After reading all of the above will have a quick meeting with my team and then I’m out out.

    Thanks

     

    Report
  36. RentBoy

    That’s it.  The deed is done.  One month to go.

    Report
    1. apples

      Are you a single office pal or multiple? The exodus is seemingly beginning? Do you use OTM? Cheers

      Report
  37. Chris Wood

    Email has gone out to customers “Basically, do I pay up or do without?”

    Feedback from vendors who have replied so far is positive.

    Report
  38. gardenflat

    Rightmove

    Find your unhappy

    🙁

    Report
  39. smile please

    I have just set up a financial services company to run along side my agency. My network fees, PI, compliance, CRM system, industry specific software, registration fees, marketing hub cost me just £250 per month.

    Just puts into context what a monumental rip off RM is.

    Report
  40. HIT MAN

    I here a lot saying they have left RM or  handed in notice, I’d like to know how true that really is? The only way forward would be to get behind OTM and promote them like we did RM for years. I personally play RM down when asked if I list on them I reply saying “RM who, everyone has stopped using them all good agents now use OTM”. I use every opportunity to promote OTM and its works. RM good night and god bless.

    Report
  41. ajl12no

    Thrillingly got shot of Rightmove yesterday, leaving us on just Zoopla, PL and OTM…they didn’t care that we were leaving them and frankly we feel the same about them. Companies that abuse their customers, hello Apple and many others, get straight talking feedback that hits them in the pocket. So Whilst RM is number one, I wonder for how long they will keep the crown. No one, especially the rich, likes to be ripped off. GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE RIGHTMOVE!

    Report
    1. apples

      Are you just a single office/subscription? Or multiple subscriptions, this looks like people have finally had enough?

      Report
  42. rsvstu97

    LOL. People are at last waking up. Take Apple for example.  Inferior products to Samsung/Android in so many ways. Too many get sucked in by the marketing.

    I gave notice. They effectively halved my fee. The moment it goes up again I’m off. The biggest stress is giving notice. Once done its a massive relief. OTM leads are numerous and quality.

    We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

    Report
  43. Estate_Agent_Memes

    We are all OTM sales reps – if we want to be. They have a huge sales force in us – we can make a difference. The only issue is that because if the lack of support last time – they are no longer going to “ban” online only agents 🙁

    When people say leave RMfor a wee/month – just remove your feed/don’t upload for a week/month and see what happens. Buyers won’t visit their site as much if they don’t get the new instruction notifications…

    Report
  44. Covlets

    Here we go again! Rightmove will always continue to hike up their prices. If all those that are not happy with these increases left Rightmove then they would have to reconsider their business model. We, the agents, have put Rightmove where they are now, and if it wasn’t for us then they wouldn’t have a website. I left Rightmove three months ago for this exact reason and have seen no decline in revenues. OTM have really got their act together and with the number and quality of leads I get from both OTM and Zoopla my business is still as strong as ever. Vote with your feet and leave Rightmove!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report
  45. Agent in Glos

    We actually had a half useful RM rep until recently. She calculated the saving we would have made by down grading to the lowest possible level of service (c8k per year) on our contract expiring. Last week I received a call from a new rep, stating our previous contact had left, and pushing for a decision on our new package. The above was explained to New Rep, who stated that RM have now amended the cost of the ‘Essential’ (basic) package so that there are no discounts applied, making it more expensive than the ‘Enhanced’ pack. They allude to the Essential pack in our most recent letter but don’t cost it as an option and, despite several requests for a price, won’t commit. Whilst this is probably legal it’s hardly transparent business practice is it? Stop your clients from downgrading by removing the most affordable option. 

    Report
  46. Agent in Glos

    Scratch that – he’s just got back to me. The Essential package (upload only) is only £2k a year less than the Enhanced, with no product included. Talk about a loaded pricing strategy.

    Interestingly he states that the Essential package would “still be subject to annual rate increase in 2020.” So the next increase is already a given then ….

    Report
  47. apples

    Out of interest, how many of you guys have actually quite Rightmove in the past 6 months or so? As they seem to be increasing prices for members as their membership growth begins to fall?

    Also, from a competitive position, are Zoopla and OTM not as good if not better for lead generation than RMV?

    I feel sorry for you all, big increases at a terrible time.

    Report
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