And it goes a little something like this...

From our research into Ernest Wilson and other similar business transfer agents who operate in this Wild West industry we've found an alarming pattern:

1. Tell your prospective client that you have a database of people who are definitely interested in buying your business.
2. Sign them up quickly, after all it's going to sell soon!
3. Nothing happens.
4. The client becomes suspicious. Maybe they start looking for reviews of you on the internet, using a search term like 'Ernest Wilson review' or similar. Oh dear.
5. Never mind though, by then it's far too late. They've signed up, the fees are increasing by the day and, oh dear, you have no alternative but to sue them! Oh dear indeed!
6. Collect money and look for next sucker client.

Business Transfer Agents, as seen on TV

Possibly old news but the activities of business transfer agents have reached the attention of BBC TV's Rip-Off Britain. There's a Youtube clip at www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3DO5ZSjfas&noredirect=1.

Ernest Wilson Will See You Now (in court)

A further Freedom of Information request has revealed that the time period for the 49 claims issued through the small claims court by Ernest Wilson was June 2012 to November 2013.

That's 49 claims in 15 - 16 months!

So, using the rule of thumb calculations discussed earlier, if you're a client of Ernest Wilson's then you have a 10-15% chance of being taking to the small claims court by them.

So far we've been unable to find out how many claims Ernest Wilson has made through other courts (generally these would be over the small claims threshold of £10,000) so the percentage is probably slightly higher.

Ernest Wilson and Freedom of Information

An enquiry to the Small Claims Court under the Freedom of Information Act has revealed that Ernest Wilson has made 49 claims!

Yes, 49.

We've been told that Ernest Wilson has its own internal department dealing exclusively with court claims - looks like they're busy.

If you're one of the 49, or worried about becoming number 50, we'd love to hear from you.

Business Agents Require Better Regulation

That's the title of this petition.

A worthy cause, please sign it!

As an aside...

Borrowed from another angry voice - we thought this quote had a certain resonance:

Ernest Wilson on the web

Ernest Wilson's main website is http://www.ernest-wilson.co.uk/ and there's also a live blogspot site at http://ernest-wilson-business-sales.blogspot.co.uk/ (there are also a couple of other blogspot sites which haven't been updated recently).

A search of the sites shows 767 properties currently advertised and around 250-300 sold per year. This fits in with the 'thirds' rule of thumb that roughly 1/3 of properties sell quickly, 1/3 sell eventually and 1/3 are unlikely to sell. (Of course, the agent gets their fees either way...)

Ernest Wilson is mentioned a few times on Just Answer and there were some interesting reviews on Qype which were deleted but the archive remains - links below. There was also an "Ernest Wilson in the North of England" complaints website and an entry on canyoutrustthem.com but both have disappeared without trace.

Also worth a read are the websites set up by customers of other business transfer agents.

Campaign for Ethical Business Transfer Agents - http://www.cebta.org.uk/
Turner Butler Complaints - http://turnerbutlercomplaints.com/
Phoenix Complaints (update 16/9/14 - now defunct, sadly) - http://www.phoenixcomplaints.co.uk/
Daily Mirror - http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/companies-like-rta-tell-you-2789433
Just Answer -
http://www.justanswer.com/uk-law/3i4u1-received-county-court-claim-claimant-ernest.html
http://www.justanswer.com/law/0gdb2-list-cases-involving-ernest-wilson-valuer-surveyor-leeds-b.html
http://www.justanswer.com/uk-law/3cm6m-hi-name-xxxxx-xxxxx-instructed-company.html
http://www.justanswer.com/uk-law/30m3w-put-business-sale-when-low-point-signed.html
Wayback Machine archive of Qype - http://web.archive.org/web/20121130090636/http://www.qype.co.uk/place/1248449-Ernest-Wilson-Leeds
Legal Beagles forum - http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/showthread.php?43419-Ernest-Wilson
UK Business forum - http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/ernest-wilson.61219/