Estate Agent Fees

I recently got rid of my estate agent and employed another. 1st company was very unprofessional and that is why I got rid of them. Today I get a bill of €300 for their advertising fees. I was told verbally by them that it was 'no sale no fee'. I signed nothing. I don't want to pay them this as they were very incompetent. No customer service whatsoever. As I didn't sign anything can they do anything to make me pay??
I have signed an agreement with my new EA to pay advertising if i pull out of the sale. Thats fine, as I have signed to do so. Any advice welcome.

Hi Sal92,

Like you I employed two estate agents got rid of them after 4 months. Got a bill for E750 for advertising, I asked for an itemised bill for what the bill was for - in fairness they did advertise and I had to pay for this. I think you will too if they paid for advertising it comes out of your pocket, no sale no fee relates to their "professional" fee, any outlays incurred by them on your behalf will have to be paid by you. I would ask for an itemised bill to see exactly what you are paying for. Good luck with new estate agents!

Yes, morally I agree. but can they make me pay? I did not sign an agreement with them to pay them if sale did not go through for whichever reason. it was verbally "no sale no fee". I took that to mean all costs. I don't want to give them a red cent. I guess I'm wondering where i stand legally.

How could you take 'fee' to mean all costs? Of course you have to pay the advertising costs. Fair enough if they were incompetent you don't pay them any fee but if they advertised you have to pay for it.

You say you didn't sign anything - but did you verbally agree that they go ahead and market your property?

Agree with previous poster and ask for an invoice - Agencies pay a flat fee per annum I think for Daft - so no additional costs there, my myhome is per property and if they have added on your behalf, per your request - then you should pay.

Paddy

They still owe something for the Daft advertising. It may be a flat fee but it boils down to a percentage cost per property sold/marketed.

You agreed to go with this EA whether in writing or not. They should not have to be out of pocket for your advertising costs, which as previously stated is nothing to do with their fee. You made an error in assuming that fees meant all costs. Hope all goes well with the new EA for you.

Sal I have replied to your DUPLICATE post on Legal/Financial.

The fact that you were aware and told them to market your property on your behalf is a verbal contract. You are liable for all costs incurred on your behalf and these will normally include marketing costs. Items you can expect to pay for are signboards, advertising fees on websites such as daft & myhome, preparation and printing of a brochure, postage of a mailshot etc, etc.

Pay the bill.