Well, what did you think of THAT television series?
‘Under Offer: Estate Agents on the Job’ finished this week on a high that saw Lewis Rossiter, in Exeter, win his award for Bradley’s Manager of the Year. Fortunately, he managed not to be sick all over his boss and the head office soft furnishings this time, in contrast to when he won Employee of the Year in 2012.
Then there was the wonderfully down to earth Dave Simms in Birmingham, telling it just like it is – and confronted with private sales being done on his doorstep.
Lynne Blaney, in the north-east, continued to wow with her hard work ethic, charm and endless dedication, working in a very difficult market.
There was the splendid Eileen in her heels (a future TV property presenter if ever we saw one – watch out Kirstie) plus Ed Mead, from Douglas & Gordon, the team from Stoneshaw Estates in Dagenham (which also triumphed in this month’s ESTAS), Archie Neville in the outer Hebrides, and of course the thankfully unique Gary Hersham, of Beauchamp Estates, and his sidekick, the long suffering Ernesto.
Well, Eye watched all six episodes and enjoyed them all.
It was refreshing to see agents not being demonised for a change, even if the Beeb couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with them, and probably as far as the public are concerned, it was a bit of an eye opener.
Without exception, the agents came over as professional yet human, and all displayed a comprehensive knowledge of the varied markets in which they operated.
Would we have been happy to ask them to sell our property? Yes, we would.
We’d be interested in your thoughts.
I agree with Ros.
Like many, I watched the series from behind a cushion waiting for the punch line but fortunately, ALL, even the boys from Essex, gave pretty good account of themselves.
Eileen is made for TV and I don't doubt a new career beckons, Lewis showed real determination, passion and belief in the business so, if I were Bradleys, I'd be looking after him as job offers will be flooding in, of that I have no doubt (cant say I warmed to his completion at the other office though…she struck me as a bit of a cold fish). Our friends in the North all showed commitment and professionalism, albeit in a somewhat antiquated way in regards to their style, and offices however there could be no doubt that they loved their job and were committed to the cause. In regards to the two country agents, what a glorious way to earn a living. Jealousy doesn't quite adequately express the envy I experienced in watching them work in their respective areas.
The biggest revelation to me however was Gary Hersham. Initially I disliked him thinking him to be a buffoon, spouting nonsense and crowing about his success and clients. I couldn't have been more wrong. He showed an incredible work ethic and a detailed and unsurpassed knowledge of his clients, his purchasers and his extraordinary market. I heard him on radio 4 recently and, as always, he came across as slick, eloquent and knowledgeable. This said, I do feel sorry for poor old Igor, sorry Ernesto.
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I spoke with a number of friends and the general view was that it was very good. Gary grew on everyone. If you have ever worked in Prime London, you need to be a character and oddly, far more firm with your clients than elsewhere.
I really enjoyed the program. The narrators script was spot on. It didn't ridicule agents, rather made fun of the difficult situations we often face.
Well done BBC and well done to everyone who represented our industry throughout the series.
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A programme out of nothing. Another complete embaressment to the industry. If there was to be a genuine fly on the wall programme reflecting a "real" days work (as opposed to highly edited situations) then it would be extremely boring…..Hence the e mails come out from production companies to the agencies at which time – "Big Brother get me out of here, got talent….on ice" wannabees sign up under the illusion that they too will become celebrities overnight……The public perception of agents will never change so long as there are agents out there who are happy to think that they can "represent" us and our industry whilst really only wanting to massage their own oversize egos.
I'm off to watch Amish Mafia season 2……now there's a great programme.
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You may have noticed something of a contrast between Under Offer and Masterchef which immediately followed. Masterchef contestants were motivated, encouraged and appreciated by an outstanding leader/mentor in the form of Tom Kerridge. For me, Under Offer presented something very much more hedonistic and rather less inspiring.
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I gave up on British television years ago. Reality tv and endless boring adverts just don't do it for me. Shame cos by the sounds of it I might have enjoyed watching this series. Hey-ho.
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I watched 'Under Offer' for the first time this week and for the 20-30 minutes couldnt see its flow or WOW points. Sorry for all the good agents I missed other weeks of the series, but I have to say I turned it over as it was very uninspiring. Those expensive TV minutes could have funded far more inspirational bits about the industry. I won't be searching for the episodes I missed.
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I have to ay I was expecting something far more damaging than we got. The agents were varied and the locations might as well have been on different planets but over all I think 'we' came over as a bit of a boring lot. There were no 'hand over mouth gasps' and no tears of laughter, just, agents going about their routines…routinely.
Could have been worse (for us) but could have been better.
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Hmmm… two very diverse camps of thought above – and some surprises I have to say in the comments.
wilko – sorry matey but I think we were watching a different programme. To be frank I was EXPECTING a weekly Wednesday evening of cringing behind the sofa – but in the main I was subjected to quite the opposite. Whilst I fully take on board Mr Walker's comment above that in order to work in the 'Prime' London market you have to adopt a Hersaheyesque attitude – I would still struggle not to smack him one (verbally if not literally) if he were to take that attitude with me in front of him. Yes – we had characters playing to the camera. Done it myself on a number of occasions – it's impossible not to. And, yes – viewers weren't treated to the hive of excitement that is a ring-out, or arguing with a surveyor that a house built in 1996 to LABC standards simply CAN'T HAVE raging sulphate, but what they DID get to see was a reasonable cross-section of what DOES happen when Agent becomes Cilla Black, buyer meets property on a blind date and love (or hate) takes over.
Tell me – how many people have you come across in the performance of your duties over the last few weeks with your opinion of the programme?
Me? – not one. I'm with EW on most of what he said.
Mr Hershey – I really think we should never meet. Trust me on that. ;o)
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