We believe in keeping costs down and efficiency up. To this extent we confirm details of each sale to the solicitors involved by e-mail. Not really a revolutionary concept - at least we don't think so. However this past week one well-established law firm (or, perhaps more accurately, 'antiquated' law firm) informed us that we would have to write to them on paper - in a letter - presumably in line with office procedures of theirs dating from sometime in the previous millennium.
Apparently, the solicitor in question 'doesn't have e-mail'. On that basis, we have to assume that he still regards his newfangled telephone with a great deal of suspicion. Should any of us still be alive when the exchange of contracts actually takes place, no doubt we will receive confirmation by telegram. And today, another 'High Street' solicitor informed us by first-class mail and that they had, in fact, received our recent e-mail. Ironic, or what? And at the same time they also sent us another, completely separate first-class mail letter, letting us know that they had sent contracts to the solicitors acting for our buyer. This leaves us wondering why those two pieces of information could not have been combined in the same envelope... or even typed into one single e-mail to save both time and money.
We also wonder whether 'well-established' legal companies deliberately charge a fortune for conveyancing any property sale while taking far too long to complete it. Current technology has been embraced by online estate agents who now provide a more efficient, cheaper and considerably faster service, and it's about time other related parts of the property industry did the same.
This would improve their performance and also cut their fees down to a more appropriate level. But then again, their insistence on staying firmly rooted in the 20th century could just be a ploy to keep on charging 20th century fees.
Traditional estate agents and well-established solicitors appear to have taken a leaf out of each other's book: they both insist on unnecessary multiple branch offices which cost a fortune to run... and passing on those costs to their clients in the form of outrageously high fees.
Apparently, the solicitor in question 'doesn't have e-mail'. On that basis, we have to assume that he still regards his newfangled telephone with a great deal of suspicion. Should any of us still be alive when the exchange of contracts actually takes place, no doubt we will receive confirmation by telegram. And today, another 'High Street' solicitor informed us by first-class mail and that they had, in fact, received our recent e-mail. Ironic, or what? And at the same time they also sent us another, completely separate first-class mail letter, letting us know that they had sent contracts to the solicitors acting for our buyer. This leaves us wondering why those two pieces of information could not have been combined in the same envelope... or even typed into one single e-mail to save both time and money.
We also wonder whether 'well-established' legal companies deliberately charge a fortune for conveyancing any property sale while taking far too long to complete it. Current technology has been embraced by online estate agents who now provide a more efficient, cheaper and considerably faster service, and it's about time other related parts of the property industry did the same.
This would improve their performance and also cut their fees down to a more appropriate level. But then again, their insistence on staying firmly rooted in the 20th century could just be a ploy to keep on charging 20th century fees.
Traditional estate agents and well-established solicitors appear to have taken a leaf out of each other's book: they both insist on unnecessary multiple branch offices which cost a fortune to run... and passing on those costs to their clients in the form of outrageously high fees.
About the Author:
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