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Post by bobharper on Sept 8, 2004 13:50:42 GMT 1
It is ridiculous for anyone to think Karen is making up her story!
This forum is are made up of people protecting their interests.
Why are guest not allowed to posts?
Why are Karen's email (client) is shared by the agent? I agree with you Karen, Yes highly unprofessional.
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kg
Junior Member
Posts: 13
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Post by kg on Sept 8, 2004 18:09:50 GMT 1
To Zoran
I am very surprised to learn that you are so good with the written English language now - I wonder, is someone helping you to write your comments!
Whenever we have asked builders to undertake work for us either in the UK or elsewhere, we have always received a complete breakdown of the costs involved on a registered company letterheading and a contract was drawn up once approved.
At no point during any transaction with your company have you ever given us any legitimate paperwork to back up what you have bought in terms of materials, or in terms of the labour costs involved - this has always been verbally communicated. The same goes for the Agent that recommended you to us.
I am sure that if the Finance Office were to know that we had already given you tens of thousands of Euros in cash, for which no contract or receipts have been provided then you would also be under investigation with them.
If you continue with your harrassement and threats then I will gladly provide this evidence to the relevant office.
We did not pay you the final amount of 6000 Euros due to the poor workmanship, which is now being rectified by a professional company, and that is the end of it.
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kg
Junior Member
Posts: 13
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Post by kg on Sept 8, 2004 18:11:50 GMT 1
For the attention of Martin Westby
I would be interested to hear your comments on the fact that one of your recommended "agents" is so free with sharing private correspondence between one client to another.
Surely this is a total breach of confidentiality on the part of that agent and should be investigated thoroughly.
I await your feedback.
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kg
Junior Member
Posts: 13
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Post by kg on Sept 8, 2004 18:18:00 GMT 1
To Mery
I wish to express that this was never an intent to belittle the Croatian people - in fact quite the contrary.
Since moving here, we have made many many friends with the local people and have found them to be the most welcoming, friendly and hospitable people who will share their lives with us.
Local people also have experienced problems with others who are not from the area and some of them warned us not to have contact with them because they do not share their or our love of Croatia. We have had a very unpleasant experience with just one bad apple!
We will continue to live here amongst our new friends and hopefully this situation will be soon forgotten.
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jed
New Member
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Post by jed on Sept 8, 2004 21:24:02 GMT 1
:'(Wow.....isn't it sad that so much bitterness and hatred has bubbled up in this situation! Unfortunately for the Brits buying property in Croatia, they expect things to be done just the way it is at home. What we have got to realise is that in Croatia most estate agents (property consultants), lawyers, architects, builders etc. are unregulated and therefore can get away with murder. For example, lawyers will work for the buyer and the vendor, taking money from both?  Builders will rarely give written quotes and detailed specifications, and will tell you that is not the way it is done in Croatia - it is done on the basis of trust and a few jottings on the back of an envelope. They will also blame their bad written English. We go along with it as we do not like to arrive in someone elses country and imply that we don't trust them, or want to change the way it is always done in Croatia. In Zoorans case, I would suspect his posts have been written by an Englishman .... Chris Duncalf??? If he can get someone to write his forum messages, he should certainly get the agent who is recommending him to translate his quotes for him - it wouldn't take long, and would go a little way towards justifying the consultants exhorbitant fee of 10%? I think the search fee in England is now 2-3%. The builders who refuse to give detailed quotes by saying that it is not done like that here, should remember who is paying the bill at the end of the day. Only a fool would part with his money until he was satisfied that a good job had been done, and clearly, in Karens case - it hadn't! If a builder had bodged once, I certainly wouldn't want him back for a second shot. I have heard from many sources that Z & M Canca have taken on too much work, and they have been putting all their best builders on a job to finish their own project which is building many, many apartments for them to run as a letting project. They sub-contract all their other work, and do not appear on site very often to check on the progress. Then they wonder why things go wrong and disputes start. The job is only as good as the man who does it, and if they can't do it themselves they should not be greedy and take the work on. |
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Post by Anja on Sept 9, 2004 11:19:20 GMT 1
I just arranged with a builder to redecorate my house in Trogir.
I did get all the costs and quotes in writting, and so did my sister for her house in Slatine, Trogir area, from another builder.
I also got the quotes in writting from three different builders and chose the one that suited the best.
So, this thing does happen in Croatia.
I do not bother to know whether the builder would pay tax or not, that is his own business but I would bring these facts up to the authorities if I was not happy with the work done or if it has been done different to what was agreed.
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Post by chrisd on Sept 9, 2004 13:24:50 GMT 1
The arguement between the Cancars and the Girdlestones is a private grievance and as this is now a law case, both parties should settle the matter in court.
The Girdlestones are activly involved in real estate here in competition to my consultancy services.
I have no specific financial arrangement with the Cancars. I am actively and always have been looking for other quality builders in the area to recommend.
My tax affairs are my private business, I employ an accountant and pay tax, I run a legitimate business acting as a consultant to British clients.
I have not recieved a single complaint about my work from a client, except for people who are working directly with my competitors.
The reccomendations I make are based on my actual experiences here and at no time have I suggested to clients that they do things I have not done successfully myself.
I have absolute confidence in the work of the lawyer I recommend. I have known him and used his services over the last seven years. He has never failed to obtain a permission from Zagreb. I remain convinced he is the best in the area.
If any libellous comments are printed, I will instruct my solicitors in the UK to sue.
Chris Duncalf
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Post by alsdoubles on Sept 9, 2004 22:35:12 GMT 1
Living in Croatia as I do, one has to ask, who the Donald Duck is Chris Duncalf? Is there a funnel somewhere for outsiders with 'mugs this way' on the label? And are you all going through it? Why? Would be a good question? Croatia is full of properties and con men. Wake up, open your eyes, trust no-one and you will be okay. Just as you did (hopefully, if you have any brain cells at all), wherever you come from. And if you didn't, well, what can I say? Common sense and LAWS apply. Think for yourself, then you can only blame yourself. And, if necessary BUILD for yourself. Is this building in Croatia? As we (you) know it? Look at it!!! It's appauling! Laughable!!! Emabarrassing!!!!! Don't tell me you people haven't unertaken building work in 'other countries'? Then you KNOW! Why settle for less? Chris Duncalf, who ever you are and what ever you have done. Respond, just for me, please.
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kg
Junior Member
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Post by kg on Sept 10, 2004 14:39:33 GMT 1
Chris
So pleased to hear you are running a legitimate business here in Croatia. However, I am confused, as to why you have refused to provide us with a receipt for the substantial commission paid to you.
The provision of a receipt is an essential part of any legitimate business transaction, so your continued refusal to provide one leaves us bemused.
If you would prefer that I contact your Accountant in the UK direct then please let me have the details and I would be happy to do so.
Karen
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Post by Mirko on Sept 10, 2004 18:42:55 GMT 1
Karen, please you are going too far! I do not now ChrisD or you, but you are not going to be liked in Croatia making so many accusations.
BTW, I am a Croat!
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Post by orebic on Sept 11, 2004 9:46:04 GMT 1
This message is intended for all prospective buyers of property in Croatia. I work for Real Estate Dalmatia, based in Orebic on the Peljesac Peninsula. We are a properly registered and approved Estate Agency providing a full estate agency service to Foreigners and local people wishing to sell and buy properties in this region. I have been following for some time and with interest the website page www.visit-croatia.co.uk and found the postings to be quite interesting and informative. However, recent postings have been bought to my attention and in particular the one concerning the problems encountered by a couple who bought property in the Viganj area through a ''Property Consultantcy Service'' based here. Please can someone explain to me what this term means in our business practice? The comments and subsequent postings on this website regarding the Property Consultant has given me considerable concerns, and can only prove to be detrimental and damaging to those of us who have built a reputable and proper business in the Estate Agency market. We write this as a warning to prospective buyers that they should never purchase property through anyone other than a registered Estate Agency. This is due to many reasons, but the most important being, that unless you are dealing with a properly registered company, you will have absolutely no comeback should anything go wrong, either during or after the transaction. I would like to state that in order to be an official Estate Agency Representative in this country, one must firstly open a legitimate Company here which has to be approved by the Trade Court, giving their permission for you to operate a business of this kind. You then need to employ a full time Bookkeeper to manage your company accounts and this must be a Croatian based local person and not an Accountant outside of this country. Should you wish to check of the legality of anyone you are dealing with then please ask to see Trade Court decision. This will prove the authenticity of that individual or company and acts as a guarantee for the services provided. We have built up a very strong business over the years and have an excellent reputation in this area. Therefore, we are often asked by tourists, of all nationalities to help them with queries on properties they may have purchased, whether from us or another source. We have often had to take control and help those who may have bought houses here and then been left to their own devices when problems have arisen. This paints a bad picture for anyone in our business and therefore we are always happy to offer our advice or assistance should the need arise. We also are extremely pleased that because of this, we are often given referrals from those we have helped along the way. All employees of our company are Croatian nationals and therefore speak the language, and have an indepth knowledge of our land and its culture – very important factors when dealing with property transactions. My final comment is that, as an established company, we have a portfolio of a number of reputable lawyers, public notaries, project management consultancies, building companies, architects and other related concerns. We do not rely on just one person to handle these matters. The Real Estate business is an extremely responsible concern and we are here to offer a total after-care service to our clients, and certainly our relationship does not end once they have exchanged contracts. Our clients have become some of our best friends. I wish you every success in finding your dream property. |
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Post by justinw on Sept 12, 2004 10:35:17 GMT 1
Interesting - Orebic, when I was there looking for property, Real Estate Dalmatia had "For sale" boards on houses that were not for sale! Locals I talked to said they were there without the owners knowledge and that Real Estate Dalmatia had only been in business for a few months.
Is it possible this entire thread is to promote them and Karen G? Looking at Karen G's website, they seem to be working together.
Justin Wilson
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Mery
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by Mery on Sept 12, 2004 19:06:54 GMT 1
Real Estate bussines is like any bussines in world. The best solutions is old and big company, they have lot experience what is most important. Many new firms open office, because they think that is easy way to earn money, but these firms could be dangerous for buyers, expecialy in proces of buying land, and old stone house!
In all Croatia working maybe 15-20 good companies, others (about 2000) only want to sale something.
In HGK (Croatian chambers of economy) section real estate, you could have the better information. It's not formal, because the oldest and the biggest companies have many meetings and they signed many documents which protect their clients.
The good real estate office must have all kinds of workers which can lead alone buying proces from begining to the end, without anyone outside the company, except the notary.
Most companies have only an agent who show property to buyers, and they don't know anything about buying proces or if they do know, it is not much.
And something about foreign agents in Croatia.
What do you think if some Croatian agent now come in England, and he want to be a real estate agent.
How long must he stay there, and learn before starting the business?
How long must he workto be better than british agent, if that is possible?
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Post by Anja on Sept 12, 2004 23:29:35 GMT 1
Real Estate bussines is like any bussines in world. The best solutions is old and big company, they have lot experience what is most important. Many new firms open office, because they think that is easy way to earn money, but these firms could be dangerous for buyers, expecialy in proces of buying land, and old stone house! In all Croatia working maybe 15-20 good companies, others (about 2000) only want to sale something. In HGK (Croatian chambers of economy) section real estate, you could have the better information. It's not formal, because the oldest and the biggest companies have many meetings and they signed many documents which protect their clients. The good real estate office must have all kinds of workers which can lead alone buying proces from begining to the end, without anyone outside the company, except the notary. Most companies have only an agent who show property to buyers, and they don't know anything about buying proces or if they do know, it is not much. And something about foreign agents in Croatia. What do you think if some Croatian agent now come in England, and he want to be a real estate agent. How long must he stay there, and learn before starting the business? How long must he workto be better than british agent, if that is possible? In this world there are people who are better at some kind of business than others. I would not divide people by nationalities or the countries where they come from... It is a free world where we can not dictate where someone is going to live and what they are going to do. There is a Croatian Estate Agent in London whom I recently met, a very nice guy and a very successful one, he is selling Spanish properties. There are also many successful Croatian people in UK, and not only Croatian but foreign who came to UK and took jobs from British people. Therefore, I would let anyone do whatever they are good at. One thing I would agree with you, people doing business in Croatia should play by Croatian rules. When in Rome do what Romans do ;D |
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Mery
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by Mery on Sept 13, 2004 13:42:05 GMT 1
I talk only about best real estate agent, but everybody have rights to work here. It is't question about that.
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Builders will rarely give written quotes and detailed specifications, and will tell you that is not the way it is done in Croatia - it is done on the basis of trust and a few jottings on the back of an envelope. They will also blame their bad written English. We go along with it as we do not like to arrive in someone elses country and imply that we don't trust them, or want to change the way it is always done in Croatia.
