2 reviews (1/5) and information for Widdows Mason, Leigh

14/03/15 - Reviewed by Louisa Shelmerdine

I didn't deal with this firm directly, but their performance had a huge impact on me as the property that I purchased was from my mum, and this is the solicitors that she used as our financial advisor arranged it for us.

Overall, this firm was completely incompetent! The only solicitor that we had contact with was Charlotte Yendley, and she did not keep us informed at all - we constantly had to chase her, and even then she was very difficult to get hold of. The process started on 21st November, and completion took place on 6th March. We gave her several deadlines (as people further down the property chain was getting extremely impatient, to the point where they wanted to pull out of the deal) and she met none of them. I am now 39 weeks pregnant and have spent the last week desperately trying to sort out my house ready for my baby arriving. It's safe to say it has been the most stressful week of my life, which obviously is very unsettling for myself and the baby. Charlotte knew the situation with my pregnancy, yet she still made no attempt to progress the sale as quickly as possible. Things that she should have asked for at the beginning of the sale (building regulations for the extension that we have had built, and planning permission - things that took time to get hold of or find) and could potentially hold things up were not dealt with until the last minute, even though we asked her repeatedly if there was anything else that she needed us to provide her with in order to progress as quickly as possible.

As if the slow progression of the sale wasn't bad enough, on the day of completion, Charlotte phoned my mum and told her that the quote that she had been given was incorrect and that she actually owed a further £1000 that needed paying there and then in order to complete! This put the whole thing back on hold until the payment was made. As if this wasn't bad enough, Charlotte actually had the cheek to tell my mum that because the fault was on the solicitors behalf, she would still complete on the day that we had agreed - no offer of compensation, or even an apology - she acted as though she was doing us a favour by agreeing to still do her job even though the mistake was her fault!

This sale was a disaster from start to finish, and I would recommend that people stay well away from these solicitors, as useless is an understatement! I am just hoping now that I can get my house ready in time for when my baby is born, but it is a lot of pressure and I could have done without it!

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06/04/14 - Reviewed by Anonymous

The following review is based on my opinion of the service I received on two occasions: I used this solicitors when I sold my house and wasn't impressed with the service I received. I used them as they were in my local town and this made it convenient for dropping off documents etc. They were also recommended by the estate agent with whom I was selling my house (they are based around the corner). Having found a house to purchase I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt and use them again - this is wholly my mistake. I have found that this company are poor in keeping their customers updated. I found myself constantly calling and emailing - many of these calls would not be returned. I called one day and asked to speak to the named conveyancer who had been doing the work (who had been at the company for years) had left the company!!! Extremely poor customer service. Why I hadn't been contacted by letter / email and given the name of who would be doing the work I don't know. As if this wasn't stressful enough I have then found myself in the position of having to find a new conveyancer as Widdows are not on the panel of approved solicitors of my mortgage provider - who are part of the second largest mortgage provider in the country. This was time and money wasted. I have been left feeling frustrated and stressed. My advice would be to avoid this company who appear lacklustre as best and at worst incapable of good customer services, in fact, of basic customer services. Initially when I gave this company a second go I thought that maybe all conveyances are this way. Since having to change to a different company I have realised that this is not the case. The new firm I am using have been efficient and effective in doing what they are being paid to do. My personal advice and opinion is that for what little difference there is in price between conveyancers, go elsewhere.

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