Purplebricks has removed a property listing from its website after the seller sent a rude message a potential buyer, which ‘went against the company’s views and values’.
The vendor refused a viewing request by sending a message to the potential buyer informing them that they were not accepting visits from the Indian/Asian community before accusing the group of ‘wasting their time’.
The seller wrote: “I am no longer taking viewings from the Indian/Asian community who are not serious buyers but just look around properties for sale… as a day out.
“There are many other properties you can waste people’s time on so I suggest you go view one of them.”
The property, located in Hillcrest Avenue within Great Barr, West Midlands, has been withdrawn by Purplebricks, who said once they saw the comment they told the vendor that they would not sell their house.
It is understood that the company has also refunded the vendor its initial signup fee.
A spokesperson for the estate agent said: “The sentiments expressed in this message are completely opposed to Purplebricks’ views and values.
“As soon as we saw this comment, we told the vendor that we wouldn’t sell their house and refunded their fee. The house is no longer on the market with Purplebricks.
“We also contacted the buyer to express how appalled we were by this message and apologise that they’ve had this experience.”
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Comments (12)
Well dealt with PB.
BTW, having been away from the industry for a few years and not checking in with PIE for a long while it’s a pity to see that there’s nowhere near as much banter, debate, interactions and comments that there was when Ros was at the healm. Just an observation.
We’re all knackered.
it isn’t that, the double authentication that authenticates posters several times a week put a lot of people off but the reality is the lack of comment-able news.
When don’t get news any more just an endless stream of press releases that can’t be commented on. There is the vexatious stuff trying to draw out comment but like any form of trolling that gets ignored.
The main commenters have left. Its like a pub that’s changed brewery, has a tenant landlord and lost it’s atmosphere.
@ Robert May – personally the double authentication does put me off. If I use my laptop, I am automatically logged in, but on my i-pad I have to get the digital code which only goes to my mobile, not the i-pad. I am on the laptop at the moment or I would not have bothered to comment. However I do agree that there are a lot of press releases, but if you think PIE is bad, pop over to Letting Agent Today!
When Ros Renshaw left EAT ‘her’ audience followed because she had an understanding of the industry and the people in the industry, she could add an impish twist that prompted thought and comment. That’s all gone.
There are proper industry stories that haven’t been covered because no-one has realised the implications of stuff they’ve probably heard about but not considered. Ros didn’t miss that stuff, if she had a whiff of a stories she would research, email or call to get the details that mattered, that doesn’t happen now.
Sums it up Robert. If I am not already logged in I simply don’t bother to comment. It’s too much aggravation authenticating.
In response to your last paragraph. Anything slightly connected to PB would normally hit close to 100 posts. The standard of Journalism since Ros left has taken another path ….. not what it used to be.
I have just being doing some analysis, the number of agents who have any competition at all from Purplebricks is very very much reduced, there are whole regions that don’t seem to have any Purplebricks listings.
When a threat dies away so do the comments but with people like Peebee and Smile Please gone and with no defence of Purplebrick by Dom and Cyberduck the catalyst for debate is gone.
Of the comment generators and people prepared to debate industry topics there’s really only you and I left.
Agreed. The path has taken the turn towards gossip or a hidden or not so hidden advert, when many stories in the beginning were enlightening and educational for readers. Disruptors have come and gone (died) leaving the antagonists homeless.
The thing is he probably did get his time wanted but his mistake was probably posting this in anger after a viewing he thought was a waste of time.
Not sure “rude” is a synonym for “racist.” Please consider changing that word to reflect the seriousness of the comment. You got it right in the title, it was racist – through and through, and not acceptable.
Disgraceful. But at least this time it’s not directors at the agents in disgrace and prompt action has been taken and publicly.