When Estate Agents Clash – Do you argue with fools?

Last week I received a call at 7.30pm from an angry client.

I remember the exact time as it was halfway through me catching up on the highlights of that day’s Tour de France.

My client had just read the local paper and seen a rival agent having a snipe at his agency. He was so angry he could barely get his words out.

The other agent had criticised a claim made in the previous week’s property section of the newspaper by my client that his was the top selling agency in the area.

My client had the stats to back up his statement so everything he had said in the article was factual.

However, the other agent poured scorn on any agency claiming to be the best selling in the town. He hadn’t named my client, but any reader with a half decent short term memory could have joined up the dots and seen who he was referring to.

My client wanted revenge. He wanted me to pen his next column and blog reacting to this rival agent’s article. He demanded we have a not so subtle dig back at the ‘enemy’. His ego commanded him to retaliate.

Now here’s where having a PR professional working with you comes in handy.

My client’s natural reaction was based on emotion. He was angry this rival had slagged off his legitimate claims. Although I must again stress no names were mentioned in the offending article in question it was bloody obvious who was being targeted.

He was determined to strike back and go toe for toe and tit for tat with his perceived nemesis.

This isn’t the first time this kind of agent versus agent slanging match has made it to my door.

I’m always reminded in this situation of something my wise old Irish Uncle Tighe used to say. “Don’t argue with fools because from a distance no one watching knows who is who.”

I explained to my guy he would indeed achieve a few things by lashing out at the other agent via his weekly newspaper column and widely distributed blog. However, I made it Waterford Crystal clear that none of it would be beneficial to him, his agency and the industry in general.

All ‘striking back’ would achieve would be to reinforce the public stereotype that agents always slag each other off.

It would take up valuable column space he should be using to promote why his agency is the best selling in town.

By cranking the argument up all he would do is make readers more aware of his rival.

Also and probably the most important point of all, he and indeed anyone on planet Earth only has a finite amount of time and energy so it’s crucial it’s not wasted on negative things that serve no beneficial  purpose.

Thankfully after the red mist had cleared he took my comments on board and went with my suggestions and he now sees this was the best way of dealing with the situation.

We wrote this week’s column and blog, he moved on to getting even more instructions and it certainly wasn’t him who looked the fool to any onlookers.

Here’s to your next instruction.

Jerry

To receive our complimentary guide to Powerful Property PR just ping an email over to Jerry@propertyprexpert.co.uk with ‘Go on then’ in the subject line.

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

How to Become an Estate Agent with No Experience

Breaking into the property industry can seem intimidating – especially if you’ve never worked in it before. But the good news? You don’t need years of experience or fancy qualifications to start a career as an estate agent in the UK. In fact, many successful estate agents started with no background in property at all.…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Estate Agent Talk

9 Advantages of Selling Your House by Auction

Selling your house by auction might seem like a daunting prospect, but it comes with numerous advantages that can make it a highly attractive option. While the traditional method of selling through an estate agent has its place, auctions are increasingly becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking for a swift and reliable sale. Here…
Read More
Breaking News

Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG

With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice. LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware…
Read More
Home and Living

Perfume Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Fragrances Fresh

Perfumes are sensitive compositions that can be significantly affected by how they are stored. Proper storage ensures that your favorite fragrances stay fresh and maintain their intended scent profile. In this article, we’ll explore practical, fun, and effective tips to help you preserve your perfumes in perfect condition. Understanding the Sensitivity of Perfumes Perfumes are…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning. The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More