Nested changes website claims following agent criticism
Kristjan Byfield and other agents have slammed Nested over its service comparison claims on the firm's website.
Nested Estate Agents’ agent comparison graphic on their website is not ‘accurate’ or ‘correct’ Base Property Specialists founder Kristjan Byfield has claimed in a Facebook post.
The graphic, which appears on the front page of Nested’s website suggests that both high street and online agents aren’t “financially motivated” to get vendors the best price; don’t use social media to market homes and that viewings are not done by the same agent that the homeowner signs up with.
“Come on Nested Estate Agents,” Byfield wrote on Facebook. “There are plenty of High Street agents that offer everything you say they don’t. Likewise with many online offerings too.
“I’m also intrigued by the ‘industry’s best mobile app’ claim – which comes with no context or validation. This should be removed or radically updated.”
Misleading
Byfield was joined in his criticism by a number of other agents, including Michael Day, Director and Trustee at Propertymark Trust, who called the graphic: “A misleading and worthless piece of marketing which is blatantly inaccurate.”
Surely goes against advertising standards?”
Dan Fells of Fells New Forest Property was another who waded into the argument, saying: “Surely goes against advertising standards? A complete misrepresentation of what most High Street agents do.”
And Jim Parker of Fife Properties quipped: “Are they related to Trump? Where’s the column that says we are sometimes mistaken about the truth?”.
Negative
Nested’s MD, Alice Bullard responded, saying: “We appreciate everyone’s comments on this post and it’s clear this has caused a bit of a negative stir. Being negative at Nested just isn’t in our nature or forms part of our company values; so we’re sorry that this small section of our website has had that effect .”
“It’s never our intention to be misleading; but we do stick by the confidence that we offer an exceptional service to our customer.”
Nested has since given the graphic a tweak, swapping the crosses for ‘no’ for question marks and Bullard said the change highlighted “What we know we offer to our customers but are now posing the question as to whether or not other agencies can offer the same.”
To be 100% fair to Alice and Nested, she contacted me within minutes of my post, offering a chat and promising an urgent review. By the following morning, they had actioned a small but vital change, which still highlights the quality of their offering without the tired generalisations criticising ‘high street agents’ for (supposedly) not offering similar benefits. The ad, now prompts consumers to question what they get from their agent- and thats no bad thing. Bravo Alice & Nested!