A Milton Keynes estate agent has told of his frustration at Rightmove’s decision to change agents’ phone numbers as it will cost him hundreds of pounds in new marketing material.
The agent, who asked to remain anonymous, says that he had adopted the Rightmove number as his main business line to make it easier to keep track of all his calls but was now concerned about the cost.
He told The Neg: “As agents we were notified by a paragraph in a change to terms and conditions and I stumbled across it because I confess, I do not always read the many bulletins and emails we get.
COSTS
“As a business I decided to adopt the Rightmove telephone number throughout all of my business operations, it just made sense – one number all calls recorded and tracked etc – stationary, boards, business cards, leaflets, websites so you can imagine for me this number change is a real issue and one that will have costs to put right.
I am trying to understand if I was foolish and naïve to adopt the number.”
“I am trying to understand if I was foolish and naïve to adopt the number and I am trying to find the area of the terms and conditions that advises on what basis the telephone number is provided.”
The agent was emailed by Rightmove on June 24 to let him know some of its guidelines which form part of its General Membership Terms and Conditions would come into effect from 1st July 2022.
CHANGING
A notice at the bottom of that email, which could easily be mistaken for a generic advert, stated: “Your telephone number on Rightmove is changing.
“Between July and November 2022 the unique telephone number advertised on your listings on Rightmove will be changing.
“There will be no interruption to your service. The way your applicants contact you and the volume of your leads will not be impacted.
“Once your number has been changed you will benefit from instant access to data and call recording.
“Your old telephone number will remain active for the next 6 months in case any of your applicants have saved the number.”
Rightmove has been approached for comment.
