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Relocation agency issue - be warned
Nov 27, 2016 @ 15:52

Hi all,


Apologies in advance for the long story, but I will try and keep it short and sweet!


I would like some advice concerning a relocation agent I used when I first moved here in March of this year. Overall, it is probably me being naive, but any advice would be much appreciated.


Altogether I paid 2500 CHF for the services, the service she provided were initially very good, she would go to viewings for me and look at provide me with her feedback. Within 3 weeks of being in Geneva, she found me an apartment, but I was not happy with the selection, I told her well in advance I was not happy with the apartment, it was expensive, small and not in a location I agreed to. She was annoyed at it was damaging her relationship with the regies, but I did not like the property AND I was not allowed to see the property myself before signing the lease - she said it was the law that the regies would only allow potential tenants to view them once.


However, in the mean time I had found myself a sublet I was very happy with, and said I would get back in touch when I was more familiar with Geneva and decided on the location I would like to live and my final budget - she agreed, so I left it for now.


Around June, I decided to get back in touch with the lady. She refused to help. She said that it was a different search altogether and that I would need to pay again - another 2500 CHF. She sent me another blank contract to complete (which interestingly she modified to include certain clauses which did not exist on my contract I signed with her).


Of course I did not, and I pointed her into the direction of the contract she made me sign, which made no reference to any terms or area. She was arguing her case and after several email exchanges over several days she apologised and agreed to help. I did not want her services after her hostile exchanges.


She still has 2500 CHF of my money and has not fulfilled ANY of the contract I signed. Do I have any grounds to ask for a partial refund at least? Or who can I speak with? 


As I said, it was probably very naive of me, but these 'relocation agencies' take advantage of expats coming abroad, so please be careful.


Many thanks in advance for your responses,


Bob

The text you are quoting:

Hi all,


Apologies in advance for the long story, but I will try and keep it short and sweet!


I would like some advice concerning a relocation agent I used when I first moved here in March of this year. Overall, it is probably me being naive, but any advice would be much appreciated.


Altogether I paid 2500 CHF for the services, the service she provided were initially very good, she would go to viewings for me and look at provide me with her feedback. Within 3 weeks of being in Geneva, she found me an apartment, but I was not happy with the selection, I told her well in advance I was not happy with the apartment, it was expensive, small and not in a location I agreed to. She was annoyed at it was damaging her relationship with the regies, but I did not like the property AND I was not allowed to see the property myself before signing the lease - she said it was the law that the regies would only allow potential tenants to view them once.


However, in the mean time I had found myself a sublet I was very happy with, and said I would get back in touch when I was more familiar with Geneva and decided on the location I would like to live and my final budget - she agreed, so I left it for now.


Around June, I decided to get back in touch with the lady. She refused to help. She said that it was a different search altogether and that I would need to pay again - another 2500 CHF. She sent me another blank contract to complete (which interestingly she modified to include certain clauses which did not exist on my contract I signed with her).


Of course I did not, and I pointed her into the direction of the contract she made me sign, which made no reference to any terms or area. She was arguing her case and after several email exchanges over several days she apologised and agreed to help. I did not want her services after her hostile exchanges.


She still has 2500 CHF of my money and has not fulfilled ANY of the contract I signed. Do I have any grounds to ask for a partial refund at least? Or who can I speak with? 


As I said, it was probably very naive of me, but these 'relocation agencies' take advantage of expats coming abroad, so please be careful.


Many thanks in advance for your responses,


Bob


Bob JNov 27, 2016 @ 15:52
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 1
Nov 27, 2016 @ 17:17

Consider contacting Asloca (http://www.asloca.ch/asloca-gen%C3%A8ve) and have a meeting with them. They'd be able to answer your questions and help you.


Good luck

The text you are quoting:

Consider contacting Asloca (http://www.asloca.ch/asloca-gen%C3%A8ve) and have a meeting with them. They'd be able to answer your questions and help you.


Good luck


Sinan, Nov 27, 2016 @ 17:17
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 2
Nov 27, 2016 @ 19:27

Thanks very much Sinan! 

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Thanks very much Sinan! 


Bob J, Nov 27, 2016 @ 19:27
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 3
Nov 27, 2016 @ 20:06

Asloca will help. 


What is her name btw?

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Asloca will help. 


What is her name btw?


Tina J, Nov 27, 2016 @ 20:06
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 4
Nov 28, 2016 @ 09:24

What is her name so Expacts and others watchup?????Surprised

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What is her name so Expacts and others watchup?????Surprised


Sari W, Nov 28, 2016 @ 09:24
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 5
Nov 28, 2016 @ 12:09

Sad to hear! Thats why we only charge upon result and are running a succesful relocation/house hunting service in Geneva since 2009. If you need any assistant in the future please dont hesitate to contact my college at [email protected]


 

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Sad to hear! Thats why we only charge upon result and are running a succesful relocation/house hunting service in Geneva since 2009. If you need any assistant in the future please dont hesitate to contact my college at [email protected]


 


rharmeling, Nov 28, 2016 @ 12:09
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 6
Nov 29, 2016 @ 20:02

Thank you all for the advice. 


Worryingly, she came recomended!! 


Her name is Samantha, be careful guys, some people are very selfish and as soon as their fees have been paid, they have no interest.

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Thank you all for the advice. 


Worryingly, she came recomended!! 


Her name is Samantha, be careful guys, some people are very selfish and as soon as their fees have been paid, they have no interest.


Bob J, Nov 29, 2016 @ 20:02
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 7
Nov 30, 2016 @ 11:26

Sounds like a widely spread practice - heard international staff in private sector complain about the same, ie lack of service for a handsome pay. And there isn't much that companies do about it - hence the lack of order and repeated cases such as yours... 

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Sounds like a widely spread practice - heard international staff in private sector complain about the same, ie lack of service for a handsome pay. And there isn't much that companies do about it - hence the lack of order and repeated cases such as yours... 


Olga K, Nov 30, 2016 @ 11:26
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 8
Dec 1, 2016 @ 15:34

Hi all,

Apologies in advance for the long story, but I will try and keep it short and sweet!

I would like some advice concerning a relocation agent I used when I first moved here in March of this year. Overall, it is probably me being naive, but any advice would be much appreciated.

Altogether I paid 2500 CHF for the services, the service she provided were initially very good, she would go to viewings for me and look at provide me with her feedback. Within 3 weeks of being in Geneva, she found me an apartment, but I was not happy with the selection, I told her well in advance I was not happy with the apartment, it was expensive, small and not in a location I agreed to. She was annoyed at it was damaging her relationship with the regies, but I did not like the property AND I was not allowed to see the property myself before signing the lease - she said it was the law that the regies would only allow potential tenants to view them once.

However, in the mean time I had found myself a sublet I was very happy with, and said I would get back in touch when I was more familiar with Geneva and decided on the location I would like to live and my final budget - she agreed, so I left it for now.

Around June, I decided to get back in touch with the lady. She refused to help. She said that it was a different search altogether and that I would need to pay again - another 2500 CHF. She sent me another blank contract to complete (which interestingly she modified to include certain clauses which did not exist on my contract I signed with her).

Of course I did not, and I pointed her into the direction of the contract she made me sign, which made no reference to any terms or area. She was arguing her case and after several email exchanges over several days she apologised and agreed to help. I did not want her services after her hostile exchanges.

She still has 2500 CHF of my money and has not fulfilled ANY of the contract I signed. Do I have any grounds to ask for a partial refund at least? Or who can I speak with? 

As I said, it was probably very naive of me, but these 'relocation agencies' take advantage of expats coming abroad, so please be careful.

Many thanks in advance for your responses,

Bob


Nov 27, 16 15:52

I worked in relocation and I really cannot understand why she would do that. It is very unfair to try and force you to take a rental that you do not want especially since you were not necessarily on the street. If you have a temporary place she should have taken her time to find you something at least 90% of what you want.


 

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I worked in relocation and I really cannot understand why she would do that. It is very unfair to try and force you to take a rental that you do not want especially since you were not necessarily on the street. If you have a temporary place she should have taken her time to find you something at least 90% of what you want.


 


Marcy S, Dec 1, 2016 @ 15:34
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Re: Relocation agency issue - be warned
Post 9
Mar 28, 2017 @ 17:23

Dear Marcy,


I am sorry to hear this. Our advice is to use a relocation agent who is a member of the Swiss Association of Relocation Agent (SARA) www.sara-relocation.com ; if there is an issue you might escalate to the Board of SARA which is the Swiss professional association.


I confirm that very often you can only see once the apartment before you sign particularly when it is a lease take over and they do a group visit. 


At Geneva Relocation our services do not stop until you have found a property you like. It is a commitment in writing. 


Kind regards


Pierre Jeronimo, CEO Geneva Relocation and President of SARA

The text you are quoting:

Dear Marcy,


I am sorry to hear this. Our advice is to use a relocation agent who is a member of the Swiss Association of Relocation Agent (SARA) www.sara-relocation.com ; if there is an issue you might escalate to the Board of SARA which is the Swiss professional association.


I confirm that very often you can only see once the apartment before you sign particularly when it is a lease take over and they do a group visit. 


At Geneva Relocation our services do not stop until you have found a property you like. It is a commitment in writing. 


Kind regards


Pierre Jeronimo, CEO Geneva Relocation and President of SARA


Pierre Jeronimo, Mar 28, 2017 @ 17:23
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