allAgents consumer survey on property agents backs growing reviews trend

April 4, 2012 - PRLog -- The results reconfirmed allAgents's belief that more and more consumers are turning to reviews to gain a further insight into the experiences of past and existing customers and weighing them up against the reputations and promises of the UK's property professionals.

On the question of 'Where do you remember first hearing about your agent?' - 24.2% replied with On-line as the primary source, out performing 'Personal recommendation' with 23.77% and the repeat business option of 'Used Agent before' polling third at 14.31%.

A staggering 70.09% of respondents had 'heard horror stories about rogue agents' prior to finding or appointing and agent resulting in 64.22% being wary or very wary during the process.

The factors that most helped this sample consumer group when choosing an agent, were personal recommendation (30.55%), independent reviews (22.42%), location (10.87%) and the sales person (9.35%). Surprisingly price, local knowledge, and testimonials supplied by the agent, collected less than 5% of the votes each.

When it came to rating their 'experience' with their appointed agent, 35.55% said it had been 'Excellent'. 'Good' and 'Average' experiences scored a close 16.97% and 15.13% respectively and 'poor' polled only 7.56%. 'Terrible experiences' however made 24.79% of the votes submitted.

The group also responded to the 'value of a recommendation question' where the results show that an overwhelming 87.43% of voters would select a new agent based solely on a personal recommendation if they had one.
61.45%, a majority of the group said they would select an agent solely based on customer reviews on allAgents.co.uk - confirmation of the growing trend and delighting the allAgents management team. This was further confirmed in the final recommendation question where a resounding 93.16% of the poll returned that they would not appoint a new agent based solely on the testimonials provided by an agent.

The UK's No.1 property agent directory and review site continues to push Estate and Letting Agents to act on this growing public trend towards reviews as a potential deal maker or breaker and to join its expanding 'Transparent Agent Scheme'. As a scheme member prospective customers are openly encouraged to read the agents' independent reviews before short-listing companies for instruction.

The survey was conducted between the 29th of March 2012 and 3rd of April 2012. The responses were divided - 63% from Landlords and 37% from Vendors.

The full results are displayed below:

1. Where do you remember first hearing about your agent?
Used them before    14.31%
Personal recommendation    23.77%
On-line    24.20%
TV or radio advertising    0.00%
Printed media (press, magazine, trade publication)    4.10%
Local advertising    10.21%
Direct contact by the agent    8.20%
Property board    6.56%
Other(10)    8.66%

2. Prior to using an agent, had you heard horror stories about rogue agents?
Yes    70.09%
No    29.91%

3. How wary were you of choosing your agent?
Neutral    10.51%
Not Wary at all   26.27%
Wary    37.12%
Very wary    26.10%

4 . Which of these factors helped you decide in choosing your agent?
Price    4.89%
Personal Recommendation   30.55%
Used them before    6.75%
Location    10.87%
Independent Reviews    22.42%
Display of Local Knowledge    7.06%
Agent's website    3.75%
Testimonials from Agent    0.66%
The Sales person    9.35%
Marketing materials    1.42%
Other(11)  2.28%

5. How would you rate the experience you had with them?
Excellent    35.55%
Good    16.97%
Average    15.13%
Poor    7.56%
Terrible    24.79%

6. Would you select a new agent based solely on a personal recommendation?
Yes    87.43%
No    12.57%

7. Would you select a new agent solely based on customer reviews on allAgents.co.uk?
No    38.46%
Yes    61.54%

8. Would you select a new agent solely based on testimonials an agent provided for you?
Yes    6.84%
No    93.16%