Consumer Ombudsman raises a warning finger at real estate agent

The Consumer Ombudsman reprimands real estate agent

A note in the mailbox misled homeowners into believing the agent had a buyer ready.

The note was designed to make homeowners believe there was a specific buyer for the property, the Consumer Ombudsman assesses. (Archive photo). (Photo: © Signe Goldmann, Ritzau Scanpix) 27 minutes ago

The real estate agent Boligbutikken in Roskilde has misled homeowners when the agent placed a note in their mailboxes stating that they had a buyer for the properties.

This is the assessment of the Consumer Ombudsman, according to a press release.

On yellow Post-it notes, placed together with a business card, it said: "Call! I have a buyer for your home."

But that was not the case when six homeowners called the agent to inquire further.

"Boligbutikken has given several consumers a false impression that a buyer was ready to purchase their home," says Consumer Ombudsman Torben Jensen.

Therefore, the homeowners complained to the Consumer Ombudsman between May 26 and June 11, who has now reminded the agent that the prohibition against misleading marketing in the Marketing Act must be observed.

Read also: The National Bank raises its expectations for house prices

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Changed wording

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In connection with the Consumer Ombudsman's handling of the complaints, the real estate agent stated that they had specific buyers whose housing wishes matched the properties that received the notes.

At the end of July, the agent changed the wording to: "Call, I have a buyer! The buyer is looking for a house like yours."

But the new wording gave rise to a new complaint, and here the Ombudsman still assesses that the wording continues to mislead consumers.

"Even after adjusting the text in the marketing, it could still be misunderstood," says Torben Jensen.

"The case shows that companies must think carefully about the wording in their marketing, because they must never promise something they cannot keep."

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