05.06.08
The Senator on The Brother
My brother Edward has been made president of the IAVI. A challenging position given the trouble in which they find themselves these days.
Senator Ross gives his view. I agree with him. He’s got a job to do. Lot of defensiveness to be dealt with. Though I can never help noticing that the auctioneers in these parts with dreadful reputations for skullduggery have no problem getting customers.
Tomaltach said,
May 6, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Though I can never help noticing that the auctioneers in these parts with dreadful reputations for skullduggery have no problem getting customers
Well that’s hardly a surprise. When the integrity of the entire profession is at such a low ebb, the perception is, they are all at it (sound familiar). And particularly in industry where the rights of the consumer have been deliberately kept minimal by a lobby that is so well connected with not just the body politic, but moreover, the main party of power during the economic boom. The whole way in which houses are bought and sold is shameful when you consider the reasonably significant enhancements of consumer power that have taken place in other areas.
Who hasn’t a horror story from an estate agent? Just in the last month one friend of mine found out his agent increased the rent without the knowledge of the landlord, despite claiming that the hike initiated with the landlord. Another friend had to go to the Tenancies board to get the agent to hand over the deposite. And as for buying and selling, well the lack of transparency in the process is a guarantee that ordinary people will get screwed. The whole thing stinks and I don’t believe, in the absence of government will and action, it’s going change anytime soon. But goodluck to your brother, maybe he can surprise us.
Zara said,
May 6, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Why did Ross make a point of saying at the end that he picked up the bill? So what. He might have picked it up but it’s unlikely he’ll pay it. That’ll be on expenses thank you very much. Odd comment.
“auctioneers in these parts with dreadful reputations for skullduggery have no problem getting customers.”
I can understand that. In a small place — or even in a city — quite often it’s a case of better the devil you know. I have tolerated complete crap from so-called professionals (dentist in particular) before eventually high-tailing it to one with some decency and integrity.
Good luck to your brother, he sounds like a good egg.
Sarah said,
May 6, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I’d say he announced his payment to make clear he can’t be bought off over one lunch
Tom N said,
May 6, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Auctioneers won’t vote for Christmas…even if they are good ones. The property supplements are written by people who are failed porn writers. Every ramchackle hovel is restorer’s dream. Every shoebox is ideal for young vibrant up and coming couples.
My impression of auctioneers is that they are generally over dressed, too much gel in the hair, ridiculously wide knots in their ties, shiny shoed little gimps.
But I missed the property bubble and have to buy in a declining market so I am not a good judge of character.
Maria said,
May 6, 2008 at 8:59 pm
He can be bought off though. Maybe not with one lunch. His manipulation of the Eircom shares fiasco — and the way it facilitated Tony O’Reilly’s subsequent takeover — is still fresh in many minds.
The Crewser said,
May 6, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Auctioneers are like politicians, they have to keep everybody happy. The buyers, the vendors and Enf. It a tall order. He has a tough job ahead of him but good luck to him anyway.
Enf said,
May 6, 2008 at 11:21 pm
hahahaha. I never even commented on this one. Crewser is on the back foot!
Edward said,
May 7, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hi
so, this is what blogging is about – what an interesting social interaction. Am I allowed comment when the subject is me?
Sarah said,
May 7, 2008 at 8:42 am
No. Don’t waste time on this lark. Go and sell houses and feed your family.
Anna said,
May 7, 2008 at 10:26 am
So Edward, where’d he take ya? I’m guessing nowhere the spoons would be worth nicking
Edward Carey said,
May 9, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Hi
so, I’ve a few miutes on my hands at the moment. I’ve preached about not using fly-by-nights as an agent on many occasion, and what people do never ceases to amase me. I know of one person who was very poorly treated by a company & continue to use that company in another property deal. They wont complain (not that there’s any point, as the company are not a member of an organization with a complaints proceedure, and not a member of a professional organization), but they still take the treatement on the chin. Why don’t your friends make a complaint? I recall one storey of a disaffected seller complaining that his auctioneer reduced the price of his house “without telling me”. He never contacted the agent to conform to the clients instructions & only complained to others. The manner in which houses are bought & sold are done so under our existing legislation which set out the roll of the agent clearly, and often misunderstood by the general public. Auctioneers have a tough job – they have to keep everyone happy, but their responsibility is to their clients, but must provide excellent customer care in dealing with the buyers. I couldn’t possibly say where Ross brought me. but the spoons were nice… I never thought to check his place settings, but I’ll count the next time. Ed
Tomaltach said,
May 12, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Interesting piece in todays times, under the heading “Leading Estate Agents Fail to Sign Code of Practice”….”Some of the State’s leading estate agents have not yet signed up to a code of practice drawn up by the Government’s new watchdog for the profession, six months after it was introduced…”
full story here (sub req’d)
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0512/1210503983793.html
Horse said,
May 12, 2008 at 2:08 pm
In fairness. Closing the door after the horse has bolted. This should have been news in 1997.
Gordon said,
May 12, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I presume your brother will be arguing for a system in which gazumping is impossible, in which the agent has an obligation to both the vendor and the purchaser, in which bidding is open and transparent…
We are currently purchasing a house here and it feels like diving in to a shark infested swimming pool. I have seen how other systems work – in France in particular, where the purchaser is far more protected.
Gordon
Sarah said,
May 12, 2008 at 4:42 pm
NO he won’t because auctioneers don’t gazump, vendors do.
Auctioneers act on instructions and if you were selling your house and post deposit someone offered you 10k more, what you would do? Say no or take the money and order your auctioneer to return the deposit? If you want gazumping banned, look to your legislators and the moral responsibilities of those selling their houses.
By the way, in France both vendors and purchasers pay the auctioneer. 6% of the purchase price – no negotiation. Not like here where competition ensured an old fashioned 2.5% often dropped to 1%. Bring in the French system if you like. Ed would be happy with it I am sure.
Sarah said,
May 12, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Actually, that was a bit snippy. Sometimes “we” (the family) get really frustrated when auctioneers are blamed for things that vendors insist upon.
Its worse when people insist on dealing with auctioneers that are famous for bad practice – but when people are selling their house they will go for the guy/woman who they think will get them the highest price – not the one who has a honourable practice. Then the “good guys” have to listen to everyone complain about “sharks”. Don’t deal with them!
Ed’s in the IAVI. If an IAVI auctioneer behaves unethically you can complain about them and they will be sanctioned. I presume the same goes for the IPAV. If you insist on dealing with a lone practitioner about whom nothing can be done, then you’re on on your own.
If you know about an IAVI member who has done something wrong COMPLAIN. They can’t start disciplinary hearings until someone complains.
The IAVI for the record, is calling for legislation so that many bad practices are outlawed. Better talk to FF about why that’s been so slow….
Tom N said,
May 19, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Was at a wedding in Malahide a couple of week’s ago and there was an IAVI shindig on. They looked like they had all killed the goose that laid the golden egg.