Ian Tonge Reviews 11

Dealing with this sales agent has been an absolutely awful experience from start to finish. Communication is poor, promises are made and then quietly ignored, and basic professionalism is completely lacking.
They are evasive when asked direct questions, slow to respond when it suits them, and suddenly very quick to apply pressure when it benefits them. Information is drip-fed, details change depending on who you speak to, and you’re left constantly chasing for clarity that should have been provided upfront.
I would strongly advise anyone buying or selling to look elsewhere. There are plenty of agents who can do the job without wasting your time or treating people with such disregard.

We bought a property through the hazel grove branch, it was very traumatic the agents wasn’t very forth coming In any part of our sale, they wasn’t very unprofessional on the day one of there agents handed the keys over she said she thought that a developer would of bought the property which explained all the delays and lack of interest from the agents .

I contacted Ian Tonge regarding 2 properties in January which came on the market around the same time, my son was relocating back to the U.K. and needed a home for his family. I called in and spoke to a lady called Elaine/Eileen, who was quite abrupt saying an offer had been received on both properties, however one of them was still taking names and offers! I did find this extremely unprofessional and wouldn’t encourage gazumping at all, but I left my details as they were what my son wanted in the right area hoping that a sale may fall through. A few months passed and nothing so I emailed the agents in March as I walked past regularly and the for sale sign still present. However no reply at all! This property was mid June before the board changed, very unhelpful and I wouldn’t use for selling or buying personally.

Called Ian Tongue for a valuation on my house. And the son of Ian Tongue came out. As far as first impressions go, not fantastic. He spoke over me. Ignored what J was telling him. Told me that he sold "loads of this type of House and already had a listing ready" and put a value in about 15% lower than everyone else. He was just interested in churning the houses out and getting his fixed fee.

When he sent me a follow-up email it was full of typos and spelling mistakes as was the pre-prepared pack that he had done. When I pointed this out he told me not to worry about it and to trust in the process.

Overall a fairly amateurish setup that just seems interested in fast turnaround and getting you on their books. I would not recommend.

My experience with Ian Tonge estate agents has been fantastic from start to finish. The staff were very attentive to my requirements, and delivered what was agreed. Throughly professional from start to finish will definitely recommend to anyone who is looking to sell or buy a property within the Stockport area.

Avoid this agent at all costs- recently used them to purchase a property which an offer was agreed and paperwork begun. Almost 2 weeks into the sale the agent called to inform us we had been “gazumped” and this agency actively promote and support offers being taken on properties that have pretty much sold. Left to foot the cost of solicitor bills with the agent denying they’ve shown the property to others after our agreed sale. Out for how much money they get for properties by trying to begin bidding wars and lying to cover their tracks- not illegal just immoral and gazumping not supported by many other estate agents. Avoid Stephen in particular who is condescending, unhelpful and professionally
un trustworthy.

Lots of broken promises here! You will pay a lot of money for very little service if you employ this firm, and I recommend you look elsewhere if you're selling your home. I was made a number of assurances before signing on the dotted line, but when it came to it, the Director of this company did not keep his word. The interest he said he'd generate did not materialise (2 brief viewings in 12 weeks!), the reduced fee he offered without prompt was not given in the end, and the support with sourcing removal firms for our relocation amounted to him just passing me his mate's phone number! Very disappointing indeed. Take your business elsewhere.

Had to cancel a viewing as I had to wait a while to get a viewing on a property but by the time it came near I put an offer on another house. Ian Tonge called me up later and shouted at be down the phone in annoyance that I cancelled. Outrageous service would not recommend.

Ian Tonge Estate Agents High Lane office is an outstandingly professional Estate Agents office.

William, Elaine, Victoria, and Jan were incredible to work with. In all our dealings they were knowledgeable, professional, polite, and personable.

Initially we selected four local estate agents to appraise and value our property. In every metric you could consider, Ian Tonge in High Lane were exceptional, and a country mile better than the competition. The gulf was vast in every way, from presentation and professional advice to communication and diligence. As an example, we lived at the head of a small Close and William, the branch manager, parked off the Close away from the property, so the Close did not look like a car park when viewings took place. None of the other agents did this.

I would say I am an awkward customer, an estate agents’ worst nightmare. I have exacting standards requiring clear communication and insisted on strict vetting procedures for viewings. The High Lane branch of Ian Tonge Estate Agents delivered in every aspect, acting consistently in a professional and friendly manner, with excellent clear, and honest communication, even when it was something I did not want to hear. Perfect.

Via William and Elaine, the main negotiators, we obtained multiple offers from interested parties, and we then accepted the best offer in terms of value and the buyer’s status, who had the benefit of a short, advanced chain.

Unfortunately, we struggled to find a suitable property for ourselves to complete the onward chain, and when we did, it transpired through our conveyancing that the property had a title defect meaning we could not proceed.

During this time, William and Elaine managed all the parties with clear and timely communication. We then identified another property that met our needs, which was in the initial stages of being built. The timeframe of circa 6 months plus to complete our chain was too long to wait for our buyers, who decided to withdraw their offer.

Despite the setback, William and Elaine remained calm, positive, and 100% focused on securing a new buyer.

Using the feedback from previous viewings and taking on board the advice of William as our agent we made improvements to the property, updated the marketing and relisted, whilst increasing the sale price to reflect the market and the improvements made.

Once again William and Elaine vetted viewing prospects to deter time wasters and ensure only serious parties viewed the property. Within four weeks we had three interested parties and a buyer in a short chain. This was despite the cessation of the stamp duty holiday. More importantly, the expectations of the parties in the chain were expertly and perfectly managed by William and Elaine in relation to our timeframes for our onward purchase.

Once we accepted the offer, William and Elaine continued to progress the transaction through the various stages including survey, exchange, and completion. In our view they were 100% committed to the process from start to finish, and their expertise and skills ensured we marketed the property to its full potential, and to the correct prospects to obtain the best results for all.

Would we recommend the team at Ian Tonge High Lane office? Without hesitation and in every aspect, we could not fault them.

On Thursday 5th August 2021 Ian Tonge placed a bungalow on Rightmove.
It was on Kinder Drive, Marple – right next to the canal and Marple locks.

On Sunday 8th August I went for a walk around the property and the road – it was everything I had ever wanted as I have walked up and down Marple Locks hundreds of times.

I called them that afternoon to arrange a viewing.
I was told by a charming lady that, at the seller’s solicitors’ insistence, they were only offering viewings to potential buyers who had already sold their property or were cash buyers.
I explained that I had sold and completed on my house sale in July, and so was a cash buyer.
She said that I was in the perfect situation for the sellers and their solicitors, and that someone called Will was compiling a list and would be in touch in the next day or two.

I heard nothing, and so called Ian Tonge on Friday 13th August. I spoke with a young female jobsworth, who told me that they had already arranged 40 viewings, and that there were another 60 who would NOT get a viewing.
One hundred potential purchasers who had already sold or were cash buyers??? Really???
I explained what had been said on the previous Sunday to this young lady – but she was insistent that they were treating everyone on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Really??
So I wasn’t even in the first 40 cash-ready potential purchasers, within three days of the property going on the market???

Utterly ridiculous.
Some young jobsworth who couldn’t be bothered checking on my details.
Some young jobsworth who simply passed me off as being too late, I was already behind at least 40 other cash buyers.

What a bunch of pathetic amateurs.
I will not be dealing with Ian Tonge again.

Ever.

This company has made me ill. For 12 months after I paid them £12000 and a deposit. We have had asbestos, tools ruined through holes in the garage roof damp is also in the kitchen. Reported every week and been treated as a second class citizen
I have requested documents from them under freedom of information act. I was told the house might be for sale spent loads on it to be told no not enough! well we have had enough