‘OTM agents finding creative ways to get round one other portal rule’ claims Zoopla

| Rosalind Renshaw

OnTheMarket agents are finding “numerous creative ways” to get round the ‘one other portal’ rule, Zoopla claimed yesterday evening.

Answering the claim, OnTheMarket said it was “another attempt to intimidate agents and distract from the success of their portal venture”.

Zoopla yesterday evening said in a statement put out to media:

“It is clear, following the recent launch, that some agents are very conscious of the impact of delisting their properties from either Rightmove or Zoopla Property Group and are finding ways around the terms dictated by OTM to avoid any damage to their business from participating.

Just in the past few days, certain OTM agents have chosen to either:

* ignore the rule and remain on Zoopla, Rightmove, PrimeLocation and OTM and in some cases have been open about it

* list one branch with ZPG and another with Rightmove and share listings so they get the benefit of all listings being on all portals

* create a new brand operating from the same office and use one brand to list on OTM and the other brand to list on the other portals, again getting all listings on all portals

* share listings with competitors where one company chooses Rightmove and another chooses Zoopla and all listings are advertised across all portals.

The lengths that some agents are going to in order to ensure that they are not hurt by being part of the OTM experiment demonstrates that agents clearly understand and value the exposure and enquiries delivered by the major portals and do not want to give this up until it is clear that these can be replaced.”

However, last night OnThe Market chief executive Ian Springett said that Zoopla’s claims were “another attempt to intimidate agents and distract from the success of their portal venture”.

He went on: “More than 2200 independent agent firms with over 4600 offices have committed over the last 18 months to  invest in and support a new portal which didn’t exist before last Sunday.

“Instead of asking themselves why so many customers of Zoopla/Primelocation felt motivated to do that and to drop them once it launched, ZPG and their supporters have been desperately looking for ways to undermine the entry of a new competitor to the market which works in the interests of agents, their clients and the property-seeking public.”

He added: “We have been made aware by some OnTheMarket.com members that although they served notice to Zoopla Property Group some time ago with timely and unambiguous termination notices, with the clearest instructions to remove their listings from Monday, January 26, ZPG has not yet removed all their data from its websites.

“We are monitoring this closely and those agents affected will be taking the necessary steps to ensure that their instructions are followed.

“But if there are, as claimed, agents who plan to flout our rules, we will find them and exclude them.

“It will not be too hard, with thousands of member agents who will be only too pleased to help protect the portal they own and control and which works for them.”

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83 Comments

  1. Ric
    January 29, 2015 at 07:15

    Sounds like someone is being silly to me! …….. "Business owners creating a second brand" if they are, they are the mickey mouse agents who prove in just this method that they have no faith in their current brand and are prepared to weaken it further by introducing a whole new brand……. however a load of tosh I suspect……………………. Z are pinned firmly against the ropes and have realised they have perhaps been a touch too carefree about the whole situation……………. RM you can just count the OTM stock in 6 months, detract that from your stock and that is the effect of phase 2!………..OTM is getting hits and delivering leads, I am surprised so quickly to be honest but that is just how it is…… buyers following where the local agents point them.

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    1. Yorkshire Agent
      January 29, 2015 at 07:51

      I could not have put that better myself Ric. Zoopla with the majority of the national press doing a exceptional job to keep AM in the news, ensuring this is a hot topic, leading to Joe public not being able to help themselves and visit OTM. Of course they will then make their own decisions on the merit of the portal. This brings to mind Oscar Wilde, better to be talked about than not be talked about.

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  2. Property Ear
    January 29, 2015 at 07:15

    Perhaps my firm should reconsider joining if it's so easy to stay on RM and Z as well. Start of the slippery slope?

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  3. danny
    January 29, 2015 at 07:36

    I have seen letters from competitors that joined saying " we will advertise you on all three" , someone tweeted about staying on all portals yesterday , its an absolute mess …still what did you expect , shambles

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    1. Robin
      January 29, 2015 at 08:02

      Danny, we all know you are one of the most resolute detractors of this venture but even you must realise that using the word 'shambles' following one unsubstantiated report and one tweet from one agent is an exaggeration at the very least and leaves me with very little respect for your argument. If even 5% of the 2200 members have been slow to get their listings off one of the main portrals, or are deliberately not taking them down, this is hardly a 'shambles'. Of course, ZPG must also name the companies who they accuse of flouting the rules before they can be believed. This is only day three and if this is the most serious issue facing OTM right now then I think they can be extremely satisfied with the success of their launch.

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      1. danny
        January 29, 2015 at 09:06

        Hi Robin,Its been a year in the making.Its alot like people who arent ready for Christmas, the date hasnt moved… Also the "founding fathers" branches, theyll be plastered in OTM marketing materials right? Windows covered, joint in all marketing packs ? Dont think ive seen one of them display anything… And also who is Springett using for" We will find them and we will exclude them" . Its going to take a very particular set of skills

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    2. Ric
      January 29, 2015 at 08:23

      Morning danny – To level this out a bit, I suspect OTM have also listed a few companies which are still waiting for their Z or RM memberships to expire, assuming they were within a week or so of launch…….. I wouldn't blame them for this, just as Z can't be blamed for playing the opposite game………… I get you clearly don't like OTM ……. but surely you do not believe everything reported by the papers?.

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      1. danny
        January 29, 2015 at 09:15

        Morning Ric,is it that obvious I dont like OTM !! All this stuff is just games. Your right I dont believe everything I read in the papers, there was a report this morning on how Ian Springett is working for free for the next 5 years , not taking a huge salary with the rest of the exec board of Agents mutual , and that KF,Glentree estates and the rest of the hugely rich guys who suggested doing this…again… are getting knighthoods for their charitable work to aid poorer estate agents up and down the country …pffft

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        1. Ric
          January 29, 2015 at 10:00

          and now it sounds more like jealousy…… he earns, he has, its not fair…… if you are not happy with yourself you will never be happy for anyone else…….. do you wish you had thought of the idea of OTM and steered it to its current position…….

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          1. danny
            January 29, 2015 at 10:03

            Its your money and your risk Ric, nothing to do with me. If your happy with the situation then good on you !

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        2. Ric
          January 29, 2015 at 10:21

          It is nothing to do with risk my comment – the staff at OTM including its bosses need a wage! Just like the staff and bosses at RM, Z and any other company out there…… so I do not get comments like he earns so much is this correct…… It's like I say to Branch managers who concentrate to much on what "the other agent" is doing….. focus on your own goals and achieve the targets you have and that is all you should ever be worried about…it just sounds jealous to me when people comment on what someone earns.

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    3. Ewan Foreman
      January 29, 2015 at 09:29

      There is something in the British culture (thankfully) that does not allow business owners to sign a contract where the rules are clear and then simply ignore said contract. At this stage there is every reason to believe that business owners are taking their AM responsibilities very seriously. If other business owners disagree with the contract terms that is both understandable and entirely their right, however their properties will not appear on OTM. Whatever side of the fence you are on, if you want to have your cake and eat it then too bad – get used to it!

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  4. Paul H
    January 29, 2015 at 07:42

    Of course Zoopla want to tell create the impression that agents are ignoring the one other portal rule, but instead of this being the case what their actually saying is PLEASE PLEASE break the rule. It's the last throw of the dice and they know it.

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  5. nextchapter
    January 29, 2015 at 08:33

    This 1 other portal rule and Onthemarket are such a joke! And Zoopla need to take some responsibility and look after the clients that have stayed loyal. I can't believe some Agents are advertising across all 3 platforms! Zoopla needs to say, you decided not to stay with us, we're removing you from our site!

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  6. BigRoyston
    January 29, 2015 at 08:37

    If agents really are trying to cheat and get round the one other portal rule they should take a look at themselves and their business ethics – their competitors will monitor their malpractices and it will come back to bite them . It's simple really – they either have honesty and integrity or they don't . It's a bit like the old adage – you can't be a little bit pregnant !

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  7. RealAgent
    January 29, 2015 at 08:37

    This is another attempt at Zoopla trying to keep share prices stable, no doubt trying to flog a few in the background! If we are anything to go by, we gave notice to Zoopla back in December with our contract running until the end of Jan in case of any delay in the launch of OTM. We requested properties came off on the 26th and switched off the feed, When they were still on Tuesday so we contacted Z who later that day came back and said there were one or two upload issues but listings would gradually start to disappear, we then got an email late yesterday saying that they needed confirmation of every branch and full branch address before they could action it. Not once did they say they wouldn't remove them but they certainly have acted like an old man shuffling to open the front door! If any are tempted to stay on Z I would say don't bother, the response we have had this week from OTM has actually been impressive and that without any real advertising. I have been genuinely delighted, the pictures of properties look fantastic on OTM and without question the de-cluttered website and if I'm honest and I hate to admit it but the strong presence of Savills and Knight Frank on their too make the rest of us look like elite agents……

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    1. RealAgent
      January 29, 2015 at 08:39

      sorry * there that should be just before Harree literally clambers over his collegues in central Z office to get to his keyboard.

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      1. Harree
        January 29, 2015 at 10:54

        Borrrrrrrring RealAgent.

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        1. RealAgent
          January 29, 2015 at 12:09

          Don't sell yourself short Harree, you are many things but I wouldn't put boring at the top of that list.

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    2. James Morris
      January 29, 2015 at 08:50

      Personally, can't wait to be off Zoopla. Will be interesting to see how quickly they bring down our properties in the middle of February.

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  8. smile please
    January 29, 2015 at 08:48

    I am sure there are one or two agents trying to list on all three, its to be expected but they are the exception rather than the rule, other members will report them in time and i am sure they will be dealt with. At the end of the day if you are on all three you are undermining what OTM is all about, and from the last few months the one thing is clear, everybody on Eye at least that has signed up to have done so to break up the duelopoly and aim to become the portal of choice. Subscribing to all three does not achieve that.

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  9. Estate Agent W1
    January 29, 2015 at 08:58

    'Off the Market', can we have statistics not history please (More than 2200 independent agent firms with over 4600 offices have committed over the last 18 months) yes we know that, you keep spouting it. Now you are live it can't be too hard to actually give truthful stats or are you too worried to show how many actual members you have advertising and who is today completely off 1 site…..it seems the truth as usual in this business is to much to ask, just spin the stats so it looks good, why not, everyone else does.

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    1. Ric
      January 29, 2015 at 09:07

      Seriously think about you comment!………..Why don't you just count up yourself….. very silly to say "your live so what are your stats"………..they are busy helping the member agents tweak the issues and solve minor faults………. you count up whilst we all crack on with the job at hand!

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      1. Clarkuk
        January 29, 2015 at 12:49

        The number of agents signed up should be the figures that all OTM staff know off by heart. It's the core of their whole business.

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  10. NewsBoy
    January 29, 2015 at 08:58

    Looks like the last Harrah to me. We are off Z simply because they were hopeless here. Had our first, good, enquiries through OTM. I must admit it is very nice to be advertising on the site where the properties seem to come first, rather than the site and the agents. 🙂

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  11. IndAgent
    January 29, 2015 at 09:29

    Dodgy tactics already in week one. We have a local competitor who works from 2 offices in the same town, oppisite each other in the same street. One for sales and the other for lettings. They are now listing sales on RM and OTM and lettings on RM and Zoopla. On their website they still show logos for all 3 inc OTM. I am fairly sure the general public will think that if they instruct this agent their home will be featured on all 3?

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  12. Neilw
    January 29, 2015 at 09:45

    "Pot calling Kettle black"…….I understood one of the major concerns with the big two was the "turning a blind eye" to all these online aggregators who are giving Private Sales and Landlords direct access to their services at budget prices? So what do they do accuse OTM Agents of the same practice!!

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  13. Trevor Mealham
    January 29, 2015 at 09:55

    Estate Agents Act says that agents MUST act in best interest of clients. Even Paul Smith (Spicer) said in his opinion OTM would take a year to get to 2nd spot. As such this action contradicts client best interest. No service provider including portals should introduce rules against UK statute. If a manager under a MD is forced to act against best interest of client then many managers and negs are being forced to breacb UK law.

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    1. Paul H
      January 29, 2015 at 10:03

      So why have Romans never advertised on Zoopla? Are there actions contradicting their clients best interest?

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      1. Trevor Mealham
        January 29, 2015 at 10:13

        No. If an agent wasnt on 1&2 then fine. But if an agent advertised RM and Z and withdrew one post the client contract then if they knowingly felt change was not in client best interest then thats a breacb. Negs and managers may be following orders through fear of job loss. …. If an agent only did one portal prior then OTM becomes a plus

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        1. Paul H
          January 29, 2015 at 10:20

          Got to say Trevor that this argument is wafer thin. Can someone please tell me where I can find the "in the clients best interest police" if it does in fact exist. Of course to be a constable in such a police force would mean that you would have to be a mind reader to boot!

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          1. Trevor Mealham
            January 29, 2015 at 18:00

            I get involved in government body estate agency consultations Paul. When the OFT disbanded AML went to HMRC treasury and Estate Agents Act and CPRs and BPRs was passed to Trading Standards.

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        2. Taff
          January 29, 2015 at 10:31

          One question? Do you work for nothing Mr Mealham? Of course you don't, and I wouldn't expect you to. Acting in my clients best interest is fair enough BUT we have to make a profit at the same time – otherwise I'm just a charity. If the "clients best interest" was the only concern, you wouldn't charge your clients at all. And that is clearly *******.

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          1. Trevor Mealham
            January 29, 2015 at 18:02

            Taff rules are rules.

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    2. RealAgent
      January 29, 2015 at 12:24

      Trevor, I have never read so much tosh. I hope RM and Z are paying you because its only them that would like customers to believe they are solely responsible for the sale of property. Our sellers instruct us, they have known for months we were going OTM, it was all over our adverts, on our website, on our swing boards and it now being promoted on valuations as a plus and is being viewed as such by potential clients. When you see the way the property on OTM is portrayed, the quality of the images, the layout, the associations with top agents selling the UK's most expensive property it drags value up on every single property we represent. In fact my argument would be for those still on with Z especially and a site that tells buyers (WRONGLY) what the property should be worth, you have to ask yourselves whether THAT really is in the best interest of your clients. So Trevor I think its about time you changed the record as you are now beginning to embarrass yourself.

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      1. Trevor Mealham
        January 29, 2015 at 18:08

        Real Agent some recommendations ive passed suggested are now CPR statute. 8 years ago I raised the flaw that helped sway TESCO PM out. It was me who suggested that the AML 20 office cap should be as option to HMRC that PIE made comment on a few days ago. Do as you wish. I am not a RM or Z fan, but do want better agency. I am also not a budget agent fan but support good agency be it traditional or online. CPR and BPR is currently under review. Since 2012 changes in avdncy have happened which may cause CPRs and BPRs to change. No service provider sbould insist agents follow rules that do or ould conflict best consumer interest.

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    3. smile please
      January 29, 2015 at 17:53

      Well surely the best interest of the vendor is a front page editorial on the Times! – Surely does not mean the agent has to offer and pay for that! – Think you are taking the meaning a little too literally

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    4. Ric
      January 29, 2015 at 18:39

      Trevor – I stopped advertising in the local paper in 2013……. thus my clients houses are no longer in front of the 50,000 homes the paper covers……… 2014 by the way was a record year for our company…….so….. When will I get a rap on the knuckles for this……………. I have also stopped products and local home pages with RM……………. RM claim this to be something which will increase a click by some 30% (I think)………… So I am reducing the alleged CTR of my clients houses by some 30%……. will this be another rap on the knuckle……….. The Act I am sure expects the business owner to use common sense and judgment to decide what is in the clients best interest………………….. one of the best defences a good agent will always have to support them is "I DONT GET PAID IF I DONT SELL YOUR HOUSE so why would you think I am doing anything to work against you"………….. With your knowledge of The Act and CPR/BPR etc which I have a fair old bit of myself…………………… Is the worst agent breaching regulations by not suggesting "A unsold client" swaps over to me who sells more houses and is open longer hours etc etc and was perhaps not entirely truthful when they suggested their company was the best to use to maximise the chances of a successful sale …………………. I am not convinced it is as black and white as you may think……. take the BPR's in particular and Comparative Marketing breaches……. how many companies would be in deep trouble when you scrutinise that sets of regulations?

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  14. Trevor Mealham
    January 29, 2015 at 10:14

    No. If an agent wasnt on 1&2 then fine. But if an agent advertised RM and Z and withdrew one post the client contract then if they knowingly felt change was not in client best interest then thats a breacb. Negs and managers may be following orders through fear of job loss. …. If an agent only did one portal prior then OTM becomes a plus

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    1. Paul H
      January 29, 2015 at 10:22

      So if I came off Zoopla on the 25th Jan and advised all my clients that there property will not be advertised on Zoopla then I have (by your reckoning) acted in my clients best interest?

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      1. Trevor Mealham
        January 29, 2015 at 18:11

        @ Paul. If clients knew that you were doing so to favour agents building a new no. 2 and gave clients the choice to leave and get 1&2 exposure again via another agent, then thats fine. Obviously being fair and honest means clients could then walk to regain what they had elsewhere. You ha e your choice. So must consumers.

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    2. Proper Agent
      January 29, 2015 at 11:13

      Am I understanding this to say that the act does not allow for me making a business saving to maybe save my business? What rot.

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  15. Woodentop
    January 29, 2015 at 10:26

    Boring, boring, boring. Basically OTM is no different to any other web portal for our customers. Many anti OTM is actually hypocritical as the same objections apply to RM & Z. AS for the lead storey, other have come up with suggestions but as I have said before …… name and shame, otherwise I don't believe you and its all made up nonsense by TROLLS.

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  16. agentx
    January 29, 2015 at 10:28

    Although we did use Zoopla, we never advertised the fact – The website was such a poor experience and the tools totally inaccurate. Of the few leads they ever generated they were always low quality. Dumping this inferior platform just saved my business 16k pa. OTM has arrived and is going nowhere. Zoopla is like a wounded animal lashing out, but they cant stop the inevitable. They were an amateur set up when we were a customer and I wouldn't have expected anything less from them than the current silly nonsense being pedalled out in desperation. Good bye zoopla 🙂

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    1. Paul H
      January 29, 2015 at 10:36

      The part that I think is difficult for Zoopla to comes to terms with is that OnTheMarket is actually a much better website, it's cleaner, fresher, better looking, less cluttered and much quicker. More importantly it does what it is required to do which is to simply showcase properties, it directs more hits to agents websites and gives the agent the opportunity to do their job as it should be rather then just sit their waiting for a lead to come through.

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      1. IndAgent
        January 29, 2015 at 10:52

        If I had a quid for every time someone described OTM as 'cleaner, fresher, less cluttered and quicker' I would probably have made nearly a grand in the last week. How many applicants have ever told you that Zoopla was slow? I actually find OTM to be slower loading images etc compared to other sites.

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        1. Ric
          January 29, 2015 at 12:53

          wow, some traction OTM is getting if you have now heard 1,000 people in the last week compliment it! Obviously you were not exaggerating with that comment were you! 😉

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  17. Harree
    January 29, 2015 at 11:01

    Amazing isn't it … Z gets 43 million visits a month and the vast majority of AM agents say "we left Z and it made no difference at all" or "Z were useless anyway" … and the very same agents (RealAgent especially) are chortling at "the leads we are already getting from OTM" just three days after its launch and with minimal vists. Me smells something.

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    1. IndAgent
      January 29, 2015 at 11:11

      I agree. Self reassuring comments trying to convince themselves that they have made the right decision whilst patiently waiting to really find out if the leads are going to come their way. The reality is that the general public (99%) still don't know what OTM is, and won't for a while. I often meet clients who have never heard of Zoopla even though its been out there since '08. And they probably drive past a few Zoopla bus stops every week. And hear the radio adverts and so on…

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      1. Paul H
        January 29, 2015 at 11:20

        People look for property not portals, a portal will help them find it but is not the be all and end all. If they are committed buyer or tenant then they will find the property. I think you will find that the agents that come off will not be affected at all. Again See Romans.

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        1. Harree
          January 29, 2015 at 11:25

          How do you or Romans know that being on Z wouldn't improve their business? Just because they are successful without it doesn't mean they wouldn't be even more successful with it.

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          1. Paul H
            January 29, 2015 at 11:29

            Because I came off it months ago and lost no business whatsoever. Romans are market leaders do you think they need to be on it? How do you know that you would be more or less successful by being off of Zoopla, if your not on it to see the results?!

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          2. Property Pundit
            January 29, 2015 at 12:04

            And you wonder why people might think you work for zoopla Harree, really, c'mon.

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          3. Ric
            January 29, 2015 at 13:06

            and Harree; how do you know HarreeEstates would not be "even more" successful by being on OTM and "another" instead of RM/Z combo?….Your statement has to go both ways doesn't it?……. and if you are not number 1 in your village you could argue your brand plus current portal coverage IS NOT working for you.

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        2. IndAgent
          January 29, 2015 at 11:31

          I agree with some of what you are saying but if you are looking for a book would you search Amazon, and then make a trip to the little book shop in the next town along, or visit an unknown book sellers website with less choice, just in case they have a better book? Most people wouldn't these days as they expect the information to be there rather than having to unturn every stone to find what they are searching for. The reality is that most agents would do the same level of business just using Rightmove and we are now in the stage where some agents are hoping they can build OTM to a point where the public will want it more than RM which Zoopla have proven is not an easy task. It is this transitional stage which will either make or break the agents that get it right/wrong.

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      2. RealAgent
        January 29, 2015 at 12:31

        How are they self reassuring comments, if Harree had reiterated what I said yesterday I had little or no expectation of OTM this or even next week really. The response surprised me, you can question that if you like but there it is. Harree is only sore, partly I suspect from the shafting he is getting from his bosses at Z central, but also because the LEADING agents in the area he covers are probably finding the same…..and we haven't even seen the adverts hit tv screens yet.

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        1. IndAgent
          January 29, 2015 at 14:57

          Self reassuring as there seems to be a lot of claims that folks are getting a fantastic response already and so on. The truth is that you will never know in the short term who is right or wrong. This is going to be a slow burner and the over optimistic self promo many agents are putting out there is coming across the wrong way to clients. I have just taken on a house where the first agent in mis-sold OTM and the client came away thinkng that the agent in question had actually come off RM and Zoopla. Homeowners don't understand 'portal wars' and most will stick with what they know.

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    2. Robert May
      January 29, 2015 at 12:15

      I have had access to stats central Harree and know the figures quoted are a nonsense; they don't relate to anything meaningful at all.
      Please think about the numbers, if Zooplas claimed 43,000,000 accounted for every single sale each month what exactly are the 105,000 people who buy each month doing on the site. Let's asume every purchaser goes back and visits Zoopla every day, how do you account for the other 40 million? views. You're right you can smell something but it isn't coming from Agents.

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    3. PeeBee
      January 29, 2015 at 14:30

      'Harree' – I'm usually lurking in the background waiting to jump in and back you up when you get mobbed by 'The AM Collective' – but I've got to say that over the last few articles I'm starting to nod less and less… and shake my head a lot… when I read your posts. In fact I now want to re-write what you post… and I'd like to start with this one.

      "Amazing isn't it … Z tell people they get 43 million visits a month and people actually believe them… even though this proves without a shadow of doubt that t'internet is, by a squillion miles, THE WEAKEST AND LEAST EFFECTIVE marketing tool that an Estate Agent has at their disposal."

      You say "…just three days after its launch and with minimal vists." How do you know what "minimal visits" are being achieved? Anyway – surely it only takes ONE visit – from the right person – to book a viewing and agree a sale? Z etc seem to need to get you "seen" by SQUILLIONS of people to achieve the same result!

      Costs me £35 for a board – day it goes up I generally get at least one phone call. Costs me over £20 a month now for portal costs per property – I get diddly in return for most… therefore the price for the few I DO actually get a response about goes up alarmingly. And you can't read "result" where I typed "response". IF you are one of the many that look ONLY at the figures you are fed and ALSO actually believe that the web is doing your job for you, then you will also believe that it's cheap advertising. But when it comes to holding its own in terms of RoI – sorry, but it's a newborn kitten in a den of sabre-tooth tigers, and WHEN and IF you wake up to that you'll be a better Harree – trust me! ;o)

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      1. Harree
        January 29, 2015 at 16:40

        PeeBee, this is what PaulH said earlier"Because I came off Zoopla months ago and lost no business whatsoever" … no business WHATSOEVER?? ie., Zero, diddly squat, nada … How was that measured? It's an absolute nonsense to say that none of Z visitors in PaulH's area (or any other agents area) didn't buy ONE property over the time he was on. Portal advertising isn't THE most important weapon in an our armoury but it is IS important. Any web service that generates over 100 million visits is something that the public want. How difficult is that to understand?

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        1. Ric
          January 29, 2015 at 17:22

          Harree – Come on come clean you are not an estate agent or simply not a very good one or perhaps an online only list-em and sit back type agent…….. you cannot be anything else (sorry) …………….you almost even slipped up I reckon in your post……. "THE most important weapon in an our armoury" ……………. I think you were about to type "in an estate agents armoury" and then thought better of it so typed our but forgot to delete the an!!! ………Corny as it sounds BUT………… YOU and YOUR STAFF are the most important weapon you have, closely followed by you ABILITY……. anyone has access to the internet, anyone can set up an agency (shame really) so anyone can put property on the internet, but without the bits before, you will never be number 1 or number 2.

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          1. RealAgent
            January 29, 2015 at 18:05

            Oh I don't know Ric I would say he was very capable of becoming a number 2!

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          2. Ric
            January 29, 2015 at 18:16

            Only in a village of 2 agents I suspect, but even then there is a chance easypeasypropertychris could sneak in there!…..

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          3. RealAgent
            January 29, 2015 at 18:22

            I'm sure he would welcome easychris "sneaking in there"

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          4. Harree
            January 29, 2015 at 19:11

            Oh I don't know Ric I would say he was very capable of becoming a number 2! … no doubt speaking from your own experience of being a long standing number 2 … and of being on the number 4 (at best) portal.

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        2. PeeBee
          January 29, 2015 at 22:50

          "It's an absolute nonsense to say that none of Z visitors in PaulH's area (or any other agents area) didn't buy ONE property over the time he was on." Maybe: maybe not. Fact is, though, Harree – IF he sold them regardless, then by definition he lost nothing. That be the case – he ain't lying there…

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          1. Taff
            January 30, 2015 at 12:24

            Well, not strictly true. He would have lost the £16,000 (or whatever it cost him) to be advertise on a portal that wasn't working for him.

            Report
  18. GPL
    January 29, 2015 at 11:36

    Zoopla?… keep manipulating that share price with spurious stories! Shamful conduct by a Stock Market listed company! I'll stick with the fact that one of their Shareholder sold 1 Share for £1.5? the other day, listed on their share trades… that's how bad it is for Zoopla… a shareholder not evening valuing Zoopla at £1.5?… they actually sold and cashed in their share!
    Wow! NEW Headline for their Press Department to deal with!…. ZOOPLA SHOCK SHARE NEWS! NOT EVEN VALUE FOR MONEY AT £1.5?… ACCORDING TO SHAREHOLDER WHO SOLD THEIR 1 ZOOPLA SHARE!

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    1. GPL
      January 29, 2015 at 14:09

      Further SHOCK ZOOPLA NEWS!…. Zoopla Fans & Employees Dislike Estate Agent!…. does that mean that my share price will go down?…. or up!?

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    2. Harree
      January 29, 2015 at 16:42

      Z closed at 191.80 today.

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  19. PeeBee
    January 29, 2015 at 13:55

    DISLIKE button now?? Oh dear – THAT'LL be well used with my posts in future no doubt…

    Who knows – next EYE might manage stuff like 'paragraphs'; 'bold text' – and maybe a system that doesn't kick me out every second post – that would be nice…

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    1. Ric
      January 29, 2015 at 14:22

      haha couldnt resist 😉

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      1. PeeBee
        January 29, 2015 at 14:29

        Cheers, matey! The first of SQUILLIONS, no doubt! ;o)

        NICK – are YOU the other 'Disliker' by any chance…?

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        1. Tike Nick
          January 29, 2015 at 14:41

          Moi? (only I can't just post that can I?)

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          1. PeeBee
            January 29, 2015 at 19:27

            Nah… I meant Nick Salmon… just having a dig about my logging issues (ooh, err, Missus…! ;o) )

            That being said – knew I could rely on you, Nicholus Tykeius in my hour of need… infamy – they've ALL got it infamy!

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        2. Paul H
          January 29, 2015 at 14:44

          Well I was wondering when you would show up mate and about time too. Politics aside, what do you make of the site?

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          1. Tike Nick
            January 29, 2015 at 16:18

            If it were a baby and you were asking what I thought, I would reply that I can see who its parents are, the family resemblance is obvious. Ian has delivered a portal but its success in life will be determined by the efforts put into its up bringing by all the parents not just a few. It has to be said some seem to have lost interest already.

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          2. RealAgent
            January 29, 2015 at 16:37

            TK's comment did make me laugh. As much as I hate to admit it there are strong similarities, but I have to say the flip side is a site that looks good and less auto trader than perhaps some others.

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          3. RealAgent
            January 29, 2015 at 16:39

            TN's comment even! ….Sorry

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  20. IndAgent
    January 29, 2015 at 16:27

    I like the analogy. Very similar to parents posting photos of their kids on facebook etc. They think its fantastic, think everyone else is interested, hoping their friends will think its the best thing since sliced bread. Sadly everyone else thinks its boring and just another kid. Unless the media campaign is amazing and really works the public will get bored very quickly and stick to what they already know.

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    1. IndAgent
      January 29, 2015 at 20:02

      oh yeah….. I forgot to mention I'm starting 'a new Facebook'….called 'Friendbook.com'. It's going to be clean and fresh….and fast. Yep a fast website.
      it's petty much the same as Facebook but only 1/5 of your pals will be on it….. Any takers?

      Report
  21. brianp
    January 29, 2015 at 21:33

    We were not going to bother with OTM but might sign up for 3 months to gain an insight into the model to use when out on valuations, may help win more instructions from the agents who have dropped one of the main sites, its been very good for new instructions this week definitely a couple in that we may not have won . We will be staying on prime location, rightmove and zoopla for our main advertising and just add OTM to the mix and having spoken to a few people who have been looking into this one portal rule, doesn't look like it will stand up to any real challenge especially as they have already removed the ruling for part of the UK.

    Two questions to any OTM members; can you tell me how comes the relevant agent thing only allows contact with agents on that page and not all agents in the town who have properties marketed and are the more stock wanted adverts in the listings allowed?

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    1. IndAgent
      January 30, 2015 at 08:37

      Classic. Nice plan to blatantly break the rules. 🙂 Based on the last few days I'm fairly sure you will get away with it.

      Report
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