Coldwell Banker Real Estate
reviews and complaints

Letter of Complaint
My name is Gao Yan, I send this email to make a strong complaint about your employee Michelle Chen (Runjing Chen)whose license number is 01491272. During the sale of my house in L.A., she was very inefficient、unprofessional and extremely irresponsible, which caused me suffering a lot of time and great losses. Even more seriously, she has deceived me for several times and has been trying to embezzle my property just because I am in China. Yesterday she was still telling the lie. After being revealed by my lawyer, she disappeared and refused to deal with the remaining affair. My patience has gone out.
I signed the agency contract with your company in Jan. 2017 and Michelle Chen was instructed by your company to responsible for selling my house located at 2923 Venezia Ter, chino hills. I also signed a contract with Michelle Chen herself to maintain my house at the cost of 200$ per month which lasts for more than 2.5 years. With receiving 200$ per month, she should be responsible for maintaining the house and collecting letters &mails for me. However, during the maintenance, a lot of valuable property were lost which I didn't want to care about and look into. One important thing I care about is as follows. There was a fine from the HOA of the community in about Jan. 2018 because of the garden of my house, which was only 7000$ at the beginning. However, In Oct.2018, the fine became 100000$ just because no one made any response to the notices of the HOA. Neither did she make any response to the HOA, nor did she give any notice to me about the fine. I have paid her 200$ one month for more than 2.5 years, but she did nothing. The fine became 100, 000$ just because of her irresponsibility and negligence. Furthermore, There was a buyer who was willing to offer 1900, 000$ to buy my house in Oct.2018. But when we entered into the registration of transfer process, Michelle Chen told me the house should not be transferred without paying the fine first, which made the deal failed directly. Later, I required Michelle Chen to confirm the nature of the fine seriously and whether it affects the transfer of the title on earth. Then she told me the fine doesn't affect the registration of transfer at all! I missed a good chance to sell my house, just because she is so unprofessional and irresponsible! After that, I had to reduce the selling price over and over, and the final transaction price is 1760000$ in Jun. 2019. Almost 200, 000$ was lost!
During the selling process, the glasses on the door of my house was broken by someone for 3 times. I had to pay 10, 000$ as the deposit to guarantee the repair of the glasses. But when settling the account on July 18, She told me there were still several other repair cost which I should bear. One of the repair is the change of the lock of the door, which is 1500$! She told me that the lock was broken exactly on the date of delivering the house. What a coincidence! The date of delivering the house is June 19. She should ask for my permit in advance or at least inform me on that day. But she hasn't told me for almost 1 month! How irresponsible she is!
There are a lot of furnitures in my house which were bought in 2014.No one was living in the house, so the furnitures are almost brand-new. The brands of the furnitures are Century, Marge Carson and Maitland Smith which cost me over 200, 000 dollars. Because I am in China, the selling of the house and the dealing with the furnitures are deemed as a whole task which cannot be separated. If Michelle Chen was unwilling to be responsible for dealing with the furnitures, I won't entrust her as my agent to selling the house. So she promised me she would move all the furnitures out before the delivering date which is June 19 and she would be responsible for selling them. She also took all the original invoices of the furnitures away. However, she failed to keep her promise. The reason she gave me is that the buyer detained my furnitures, which I cannot accept. I have paid 10, 000$ as the deposit to guarantee the repair of the glasses, why did the buyer detain my furnitures? I asked her for the telephone number of the buyer in order to communicate with the buyer myself, but she refused. Then in the next one month, I have communicated with her for several times to urge her to deal with the affair quickly. But she never replied me in time. Every time after I sent the message to her on the WeChat, she replied me in at least 3-5days!Everytime! She is so irresponsible! I had no choice but to ask my friend in L.A. to call her for several times. Finally on July 21, she told me that all the furnitures were moved out, so I should confirm the repair fee. The fact later proved that she has deceived me.
Because she is so inefficient and irresponsible, she failed to sell the furnitures at a proper price in almost 2 months, during which she only offered me 10, 000$ for all the furnitures, which is ridiculous. I found a buyer myself in L.A., who offered a higher price. But he wanted to go to see the furnitures to make a assessment first. But Michelle Chen refused with the reason that the warehouse didn't permit! I asked why I can't see my own property? She said she found a shared storage in order to save the storage fee. My furnitures were put together with other people's. I put up with this [censored]. She has moved my furnitures into the storage for almost 2 months. I asked her where did she put my furnitures into for at least 5 times before, but she refused to tell me the address of the storage. Now when I want to see my property, She told me that I was not permitted! The buyer then asked me for the list and the photos of the furnitures, otherwise he can't decide the final price to offer. So I asked her to give me the list and the photos which she has taken already. Thanks to God, She agreed. However, My goodness, she gave me the list and the photos after almost one week! I asked her every two days, but she always had kinds of excuses! Sending an email only take a few minutes! I got very angry because the buyer was waiting! Finally she gave me the list and photos. Then I was shocked and I finally understood why she delayed on purpose and behaved like that, Because only half of my furnitures were on the list! I asked her where were the remaining furnitures, Then she began her play. Under my pressure, On August 8, she told me the remaining furnitures were still in the house. My lawyer then queried her why she told me all the furnitures were already moved out on July 21. I see, she told the lie on July 21 just to deceive me to confirm the repair fee. Of course she couldn't answer that question, because she deceived me. Then she just disappeared and let her assistant to communicate with me. How irresponsible she is! On August 9, her assistant told me that all the remaining furnitures were sent to a rubbish recycling company long since. Oh MY GOD! Is this a suspense film? Where are my furnitures on earth? Those are my property！Your company is a famous chain corporation, why do you have employee like her? Her assistant also asked me to take the furnitures right away with the storage charge exceeding 1000$! Oh, My God, The reason I can't visit my furnitures is that she found a shared warehouse in order to save the storage fee. Why the final storage fee is still so high? She said 500$ is due to that the buyer of my house didn't cooperate to move the furnitures, so the moving company has gone to the house for 5 times, each time cost 100$!My question is since the buyer didn't cooperate, why did she still arrange the moving company to go to the house, and for 5 times? If the moving company came to the house for 10 times, should I pay 1000$ for this too? Moreover, she never told me that charging fee of the carriage can be calculated like this before. Now she asked me to bear the cost owing to her incapacity and irresponsibility, is this fair or up to the working standard of your company?
Until today, she still tried to pass the buck! I believe this is not just a civil dispute, it's a case suspected of constituting a crime! All the losses I suffered should be borne by her and your company! I request your company to intervene this affair and resolve the problem right away! All my legal rights are reserved.

Good morning. Last night, one of your agents attacked my husband and I. I'm currently 8 months pregnant and your agent would not allow us to get our belongs in the midst of moving and proceeded to threaten my husband with his clients. All me husband and I wanted to do was get our stuff and get our security back. The agent called me out of my name and disregarded all knowledge of the details that the apartment provided had mold which causes myself and our daughter to get extremely sick.

We are selling our catamaran company on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We understand that every Coldwell Banker office is independent but still. With the name of the company comes a reputation. We are very disappointed with the service (the least we can say) from the office situated in Tamarindo. It is very unprofessional and disrespectful. Many people in the area told us that the service from the office in Tamarindo was poor. And we are now able to say that it is true. We will never recommend that company to anyone. We have attached below the emails that were exchanged with one of your representatives.
We had had a meeting with a first representative a while back. She wanted us to fill a Coldwell Banker form describing what we were selling. I appears to me that the office in Tamarindo expects the clients to do their job by filling out all the paperwork. In any case the person quit and the new representative was expecting us to redo the work. The way this situation has been handled is totally shameful. Hope something will be done to correct the situation.
Emails that were exchanged:

Christina Essabba
Lun 2019-07-08 12:41
Forgive me Valerie, but I had communicated with you immediately upon our introduction, even while I am on vacation then, and now. Both Joe and I asked for just a little information/business description from you before we schedule a meeting. Which you did not send either of us. Asking for this information is standard so we that we know what we're working with - what we're going to discuss, so we can gather some comps prior to our meeting.

I am actually on vacation since June 25th. But I am still communicating with you while being with my family, aren't I?

All I've asked for is a description of your business. And I'm with my family celebrating a personal event here, at home and I am in communication with you. In addition, these last four days have been a holiday in the United States and so at this time I am checking emails, but without any information sent to me, from you there is not a lot to discuss at least at this time.

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 12:32 PM Valerie et Benoit Houde wrote:
Hi all,

Thank you for responding 8 days after our email.

It appears to me that you are not very interested in our business. One thing you need to understand is that you are not doing us a favor by selling our business but we are doing you the favor by approaching you.

It is obvious that you do not have confidence in your ability to sell the business. There is clearly a lack of competence from your side.

It is a shame that a renown company such as Coldwell Bankers would hire someone who is not interested in a commission around $50000.

We clearly understand and it is our pleasure for us not to give you our business. You do not deserve our business. I strongly believe that you would not know what to do with it.

All the best selling houses.

Valerie and Benoit Houde

ZAFIRA SAILING COSTA RICA
Guanacaste - Costa Rica
www.zafirasailingcostarica.com
TEL 8406 8819
info@zafirasailingcostarica.com

De : Christina Essabba
Envoyé : 8 juillet 2019 11:50
À : Valerie et Benoit Houde
Objet : Re: Your Boating Business for Sale

Hello Valerie,
I'm currently spending time in the states visiting family. We can meet when I return, of course. but first I would ask you to send me a brief summary of what you are selling, and what you have though about on price to be sure that it will work in our inventory and if it is a business that we would like to learn more about. At this time we are not taking listings that are open, as it take a lot more work to sell a business then a home and requires a lot of effort. Without commitment on both end, it doesnt work.

Let me know what you are selling and something I can review for you~
Best
Christina

On Mon, Jul 1, 2019 at 10:14 AM Valerie et Benoit Houde wrote:
Hi Christina,

Nice to meet you.

Just to clarify, we already gave all the details to Charlotte. Does that mean that we need to start all over again?

If it is the case, we would like to know if it is possible to meet you.

Please let us know your availability for this week.

Best regards

Valerie and Benoit Houde

ZAFIRA SAILING COSTA RICA
Guanacaste - Costa Rica
www.zafirasailingcostarica.com
TEL 8406 8819
info@zafirasailingcostarica.com

De : Christina Essabba
Envoyé : 1 juillet 2019 07:02
À : [protected]@hotmail.ca
Objet : Your Boating Business for Sale

Hello Valerie,
I am an agent at Coldwell Banker and I work with Charlotte and Joe, who you have been in touch with. I sell residential and business.

Can you send me a summary of the your business for sale, details, asking price, what is included etc? Are you looking for exclusive representation with all the advantages in the sale of your business or no?

Look forward to hearing from you.
Christina

--
Coldwell Banker Tamarindo Costa Rica
Christina Essabba | Sales Agent
Mobile Whatsapp +506 8415-9608 | Office +506-2653 1919
Skype Cessabba | Coldwellbankertamarindo.com

I live in a rental that is being sold and ricardo estime texted my fiance about a viewing he scheduled without our permission without 24 hours notice. The clients walked in to my rental without permission and during this time i was naked from coming out of the shower. Please pick better and more proffesional agents i am highly upset.
Address 908 n 5th st reading pa 19604

I rent a 2 bedrooms from them for 5 years. at the last 6 months it happened that the window glass is broken as it is effected by temperature between inside and outside.
they deduct 1000 AED for that from the insurance amount .
i tried to meet the manager, he refused, when I send and email no one reply .
I send them the reason making the glass broken, here is the link to understand :
https://www.weathershield.com/News/WS-Blog/Weather-Shield-Blog/October-2014/Why-is-My-Window-Glass-Cracked

and they said that no way.
one more thing the Manager didn't want even to reply my calls, or even reply my email

To Whom It May Concern,

I just got off with phone with the agent we have been using for the past 4 summers, Cindy Gubosh, to pay the deposit on our 2 week vacation we had scheduled for Ocean City, MD this summer. Cindy has just informed me that one of the weeks that I had asked her to put a hold on was now rented! When Cindy emailed me back to confirm the hold, there was absolutely no mention of deadline or that there is a 48 hour hold policy, she simply stated please call me with your payment method. After 4 years of providing her with our business, and adding two more families to our group; who all used her as well; I think a courtesy email or phone call is not to much to be expected. When I told her we were not interested in renting another place of we specifically wanted this space, she literally said "OK, thank you" and hung up the phone! I am appalled at how she felt she could speak to me in such a rude and unprofessional manner as we have been customers for years! In the future, I will not being using the CBVacations and I will be sure to let everyone that asks me know how this decision to rent out without even a courtesy reach out demonstrated the true focus of this company --- MONEY!

Trisha Zarinko

Don't be fooled by the fancy name!

Just for context, I've rented properties multiple times over the years both from individuals and realty companies and currently own my third home. I have an outstanding credit rating and am a professional.

I have never had such a negative experience from start to finish as I did with these clowns. If you don't mind being consistently treated in a demeaning, condescending manner, like a presumed criminal, then rent your property here. From the lease signing until the end when they keep your security deposits by itemizing normal wear and tear and preexisting damage, you will feel like you're dealing with a group of slum lords with a fancy name.

When it comes to repairs and service, they are generally difficult and unpleasant, and poorly responsive. Even if you pay your rent on time and take great care of the property, you will always feel they are expecting you to behave like white trash, and they treat you accordingly.

Ironically, given how strict and detailed the lease contract is, they failed to uphold their end of it when it came to the stated time frame for returning my deposits. It ultimately didn't matter, since they found a way to keep most of it anyway.

I think their focus is more on selling than renting homes. The way they operate the rental side doesn't make much sense from that perspective, as when I was ready to buy my next home, there was no way I would have considered giving them my business.

Bottom line, if you have decent credit and other options, steer clear of this big rip off company (each office is reported as independently operated, so there may be variability with different locations; this was the Northshore branch I dealt with) and look elsewhere. There are plenty of honest realtors who will rent to professionals and treat you with respect and fairness, as well as provide good service and value you as a renter. If you don't have other options, or are finding it hard to avoid them because of their size and share of the rental market, at least be prepared for what to expect and approach every step of the process carefully to protect yourself.

Found realtor through website as we are in process of buying a home in area. Upon requesting information about realtor and after trying to connect through social media, apparently that's a thing now realtors can show case through social media. I was completely shocked and appalled that this realtor stil has a liscense. It's one thing if you'd like to have a social media but please do not mix that with your work. On the realtors page are personal images that should not be associated with work. I'm taking bikini photos and the stupid phrase princess is used. I have a 12 year old son and of course he was right next to me as I'm trying to view an open house though her page and I get to see her in a bikini and bare [censored]! My son is 12 and should not be subject to that content please have higher standards for your workers and not these young girls trying to prove something. To make it worse my son brought up her page to my husband saying that she was naked and my husband was just as apalled and disgusted.

I feel it is unethical and immoral for an agent to gossip among agents to prevent a family from obtaining a rental property. Sue's actions have caused our family to be unable to obtain housing at a critical time. Her actions may lead us to become homeless. Because she has made us look like we are unfit to rent someone's property which is the furthest from the truth. If agents make this a common practice I feel they should be stripped of their license to sell or advocate an real estate transactions. My family has been through enough this year the last thing we needed was someone that does not even know us to be causing I to be black listed from renting property's. We have sufficient income and clear background as well as clean eviction reports our problem is credit scoring is to low which does not clearly show a person as they are it is a number and there are many reasons those numbers are where they are and it is no-ones business why unless we chose to disclose that information. Our current situation is dire and her actions have caused irreversible consequences to our reputation. I wanted to let you know what is going on and inform you that we may be seeking legal representation for slander and defamation of character after we finally get settled into a home if that happens. I am sicken by her actions and have to tell my family that we may be homeless. I pray she is never in this situation it is very painful to say the least. No-one should ever have to feel the way I am feeling right now. It is heart breaking to know such actions are being to taken to hurt someone in this way or any way for that matter.

I submitted an application a week ago for an apartment rental that was being managed by Nadine L. Ferrata and her team at Coldwell Banker in Chicago, IL. My realtor had continued to stay on top of the application status with her as their team was very delayed in the processing of my application, background/credit report.

When asking for feedback, Nadine offered a number of responses that were minimal and without enough clarification. Why waste a client's time for a week regarding a rental application and go through a credit check (docking my credit down) only to choose another applicant because they were willing to sign a multi-year lease? They were very unprofessional in their communication and ethical processing of an applicant's consideration, in addition to changing the criteria after I had submitted an application. Do not work with Nadine's team.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/il/chicago/agent/nadine-l-ferrata/aid_91/

We have never experienced such a lazy, useless listing agent. This person is so smug. He sat in my kitchen with all the confidence in the world offering false promises of staging our lake house, using an actual photographer for the official listing, listing our home during the peak selling period, keeping us up to date, getting repair bids, being available 24 hours a day, etc...

The only finger he has lifted was when he sent the agreement which he refuses to let us out of. He supposedly left the country shortly after the paperwork was signed without listing our home. We managed to contact someone in this office, his daughter, who stuck a basic sign in the yard without listing our home. We requested that we actually have our home on the market, so his daughter ran out at the end of a business day and took a few amateur, horrible photos and told my husband she would find information she needed for the MLS listing from a previous sale of our home. No one informed us that we were actually listed, let alone send us a copy of the listing prior to throwing it out there with incorrect information, bad photos and a middle school level description.
We were told to contact the broker who said, "Robert, Robert Blasse, surely you aren't talking about him."
So, we are stuck with a blowhard, want to be upper class, lazy, conceited agent that is making an already difficult situation unbearable without any acknowledgment of wrongdoing and has an excuse for every request while refusing to adhere to any promises made.