Has anyone use the Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate co? Found them thru internet and they look impressive but don't want to be conned too.

ANyone use them before?

http://www.metropolis-sh.com/index-2.html

First, check for the domain name:

AboutUs: METROPOLIS-SH.COM
Registrant: Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate Agency
ATTN: METROPOLIS-SH.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA. 20172-0447
570-708-8780

Record expires on 12-Oct-2013.
Record created on 12-Oct-1999.
Database last updated on 27-May-2009 21:59:16 EDT.

Know nothing about them. But you might find this site useful http://www.shanghaiprops.com/

Google for that phone number: 570-708-8780 + scam or fraud .

You will get much results

The phone number in the whois is not always related to the actual owner or operation of a website.

kamom wrote:Has anyone use the Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate co? Found them thru internet and they look impressive but don't want to be conned too.

ANyone use them before?

http://www.metropolis-sh.com/index-2.html

Just had a look at that site and am surprised you're impressed. Amateurish at best...and it hurt my eyes!

That situation recall me some Russians comes to Shanghai and searching for Borsch and Vodka. Why don't try use local sites, like wolai.com or soufun.com ?

Humac wrote:

kamom wrote:Has anyone use the Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate co? Found them thru internet and they look impressive but don't want to be conned too.

ANyone use them before?

http://www.metropolis-sh.com/index-2.html

Just had a look at that site and am surprised you're impressed. Amateurish at best...and it hurt my eyes!

Agree, the site looks so 1999

Cylon wrote:The phone number in the whois is not always related to the actual owner or operation of a website.

Yes, right. But existing of some mathematically possibility gives us an ideas.

Made some sniffing, this is the owner
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/wei-chen-goldman/a/922/38

Wow, you all are great help!

Why I am impressed...the host of information available on their site...maps of various estates, schools, location of offices etc...which I have problem finding on the net. Like if I see an apartment, I can locate it at their site. These are important info for a newbie.

By the way, which are the reputable real estate agencies in SH?

Had a looksee of their site, but in spite of it being "updated daily", a lot of the info is way out of date.

Reputable agency: You have already been given by Humac. http://www.shanghaiprops.com

Dear kamom,
Please contact me for your real estate services. We will provide you with personalized real estate services. We are one of the oldest agencies in Shanghai and most of businesses were referred to us by our satisfied clients. From Website sometimes you don't know who is in charge.
My contact info:

Wei Chen
Managing Director
Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate Brokerage Co. Ltd
Office Tel: 8621-6210-9150, 6210-9157
Ext:808
www.metropolis-sh.com

kamom wrote:Has anyone use the Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate co? Found them thru internet and they look impressive but don't want to be conned too.

ANyone use them before?

http://www.metropolis-sh.com/index-2.html

When we moved I really liked the info on the Metropolis Shanghai website also - nice list of housing with photos. Also liked this one: http://www.shrelocation.com/villa%20table.htm

We moved with our company and they use Savills: http://www.savills.com/ but if I was moving on my own I would definitely go with Adrienne at Shanghai Properties. Her information that she shares on this site is great and the testimonies from past clients are very good.

@tnmom.....many thanks for the recomendation. In fact YOU are one very helpful well informed forum members and I take my hat off to you.

@monalisalee, well thank you for your kind recommendation. I guess she got your helpful little info package. All the best mate.

And to Humac all I can do is give you a big

Yes, the sites recomended do have good pictures indeed but you MUST be careful about the reliatbility of pictures as half of them are not correct and don't state that is only a SAMPLE APARTMENT.

There are certain compounds that are called "mei pei" which are concrete shells at handover. The owner then decorates the entire apartment to his/her own style. Many agencies just get a photo of the nicest apartment in that compound and post it. It may well have been rented out yonks ago and the ones they show you are entirely different.

So, my advice to everyone searching online, please ask lots and lots of questions in advance on a particular apartment that you have seen advertised especially when they have pics. I would say 50% of photos onsite are FAKE and nowadays agencies are promoting totally FAKE prices to lure in clients.

Personally, I think some agencies in this industry are sinking to even lower depths as the HOT period approaches. FAKE PHOTOS, FAKE PRICES, FAKE AGENTS.....Sigh.

Adrienne

I hv used them before. 3 times, 1 good, 1 bad, 1 very poor. This is over a period of 8 years. At the beginning, they are very professional and helpful. This is true and I have the good fortune of meeting up with one of their good agents. Generally, this agent left me with a very strong and positive impression. The bad and poor experience is actually with the management of this company.

I had a really poor and bad taste experience with the mgmt. Promises made and explanations given were not kept and sheer misrepresentations. My advise is that if you have to deal through them, always have alternative agents working in parallel. Before agreeing to sign anything or give deposit, do not corner yourself because of time. Make sure all your requirements are in written form signed off by the landlord, not the agent. Avoid individual landlord when working thru this agent. The agent will chose the most convenient, fastest and easiest path to closing the deal. This was my last mistake. My requirements were verbal and I was cornered by time. Even the written requirements were not communicated to the landlord. Once the contract was signed, the agent washed their hands of all responsibilities and I was left alone to deal with the landlord.

In general, I have had very positive and negative experiences with housing agents. What is consistent is that once the contract is signed, it would very difficult if not possible to get the agent to follow through on the commitments unless this is clearly articulated in the contract. In my experience, I have had only 1 experience with an agent that really supported and followed through with me.

@lifebook:
Frankly, in short you are really saying DO NOT use these people.
Such a mixed bag of good and bad is totally unnacceptable in my book.
To use them 3 times is a bit "Sado Machonistic"

There are good agents out there, and seems this is NOT one of them.
A good agent wiil always follow through on the intent of the contract, and help resolve differences that cannot always be foreseen.
Sometimes this is where their work begins.