Agents were surprised to see a full-page Savills advert in their local paper consisting of a single glowing testimonial from a vendor.
At the bottom of the advert and below the testimonial, it says: “We like to think real-life testimonials say more about us than we would otherwise say ourselves.”
However, agents in Henley-on-Thames say that the testimonial is in fact a real-life example of Savills saying it about themselves…
… Because the vendor praising Savills to the skies is a senior employee of Savills.
While the advert makes no mention of any connection with a member of staff, the Rightmove listing makes it clear with a ‘connected party’ disclaimer.
The advert (above) in the current edition of the Henley Standard shows a picture of a property and underneath it the testimonial from the seller.
Local agents told Eye that the property is immediately recognisable as the home of Tanya Kirby who, as Tanya Blake, is head of Home Counties lettings for Savills.
The testimonial says: “Katie handled the challenging sale of my property under difficult circumstances with diplomacy and tact, her efficiency is second to none. Thankyou. You made the whole process easier and less stressful.”
The testimonial comes from a ‘Mrs K’.
The picture of the property above the testimonial is identical to one that has been on Rightmove, whose sale looks to have gone through successfully.
The Rightmove advert gives the disclaimer: “Agent Note: The seller of 39 Valley Road is a connected party with Savills within the definition of the Estate Agents Act.”
On the Savills website, it says: “Tanya started working for Savills as a secretary 15 years ago, making a move towards lettings in the Henley office fairly quickly … As a Fellow of The ARLA institute [sic] she is able to keep up to date with everything in the world lettings [sic], giving the best and most current advice to clients.”
Alison Dean, head of marketing at Savills, told Eye: “This was a genuine mistake and I can only offer my wholehearted apologies.
“The testimonial was indeed written by a Savills employee who had sold her house through Savills and should never have been used externally.
“It has been removed and I will do everything in my power to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-29758857.html
Comments (7)
wilko – you've made no further comment on this article but I'd like to comment further on your original statement.
"…..All the local agents should make a nice laminate of the ad and put it in their presentation pack to point out to would be vendors how dishonest the agent has been. Savills should no better…they spend enough time telling people how professional they are and "better" than other agents."
Erm… aren't said Agency one of the 'Founding Fathers' of AM? Isn't AM being heralded by yourself, Paul H, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all as "The site for the professional Agent"?
Sirs – YOUR passion and belief is both noted and respected. Pity that, at the end of the day, it is just another flawed offering to be flooded with (some) flawed material by (some) flawed Agents.
Just like the rest, in other words.
Today's headline is that Savills sales and revenue up by double-digit percentages in first 6 months of 2014.
Seems like employee-written "testimonials" work, then… ;o)
Never mind the roguery-a fantastic example of 1950's Police House architecture ruined by a plastic Portico and a flat roof extension. No wonder she is over the moon to have moved that on.
The difficult circumstances? The ugliest property in Henley
Nay, Benay – the "difficult circumstances" being selling your property (ugly or otherwise…) through your own company and therefore expecting silver-service treatment when you're simply another pound of meat in the sausage machine! ;o)
If she is meat in the sausage machine would that make her 'connected tissue' rather than a connected person?
"Alison Dean, head of marketing at Savills, told Eye: “This was a genuine mistake"…..Yeah Right! Would someone from Savills care to let us know how such a "mistake" could happen? …..All the local agents should make a nice laminate of the ad and put it in their presentation pack to point out to would be vendors how dishonest the agent has been. Savills should no better…they spend enough time telling people how professional they are and "better" than other agents.
Totally with you on that, wilko! Apart from PR – in which case why would it ever be expected to be used "internally" – there is no reason on earth for the 'testimonial' to have been produced in the first place. The crazy thing about this is that it really shouldn't matter in the slightest that the vendor is a company employee – IF a good job was done then it deserves to be applauded – but local Agents mustn't get many back-pats so felt the need to ***** about one being publicised!! Happy days… ;o)