butters john bee (buttersjohnbee.com) has a 2.2 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 61 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Legal Services & Government and its reputation is poor. 69% of reviews are 1 star, a relatively high share; The business has not yet replied to negative reviews. Last updated 2026-08-10.
Selling a house can be incredibly stressful, but Amy made the entire experience so much easier for us from start to finish.
As our lead contact, Amy was absolutely brilliant. She was down to earth, honest, supportive and professional throughout the whole process, and she was always our first point of contact whenever we had any questions or concerns. Having one dedicated person to deal with made such a difference, as it added a really personal touch and gave us complete confidence that everything was in hand.
Amy always responded promptly, returned calls when she said she would and kept us updated every step of the way. Her communication was excellent, and she genuinely cared about helping us through what can be a very stressful time.
We also spoke to Rob on a few occasions regarding viewing arrangements, and he was equally helpful and professional. One thing that really stood out was that Amy carried out all of the viewings herself. This was a refreshing change, as we have used estate agents in the past who expected us to conduct the viewings on their behalf.
The level of service we received was outstanding, and it really reinforced the saying that you get what you pay for. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this estate agency to family and friends, and we are incredibly grateful to Amy and the team for all of their hard work.
Thanks again Amy for being such a superstar through the whole process! Em and Will
So I’m a landlord and wanted to sort something out. The first agent who I talked to informed me to leave it with her and she will get back to me around the 24 hour mark, whilst knowing she will be leaving for annual leave the next day! I had been phoning for a week and trying to chase up with no luck until I had a chat with another agent Abu who not only managed to have my issue sorted the very same day but was considerate and listened to my concerns. He also updated via phone as well as email to ensure I received an update asap. Thank you Abu for all your assistance!
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Peter Jackson英国 · 1 review · Experienced 2026-07-29 ·
★★★★★
Warning to all landlords
We were unhappy with our experience overall. My Tenants / Customers frequently reported poor communication, noting unreturned calls, unanswered emails, and a general lack of updates. Many found the overall service to be disappointing and unreliable, often struggling to get issues addressed or receive necessary information. Response times were consistently slow, leading to significant delays in resolving problems.
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Werner White英国 · 4 reviews · Experienced 2026-07-10 ·
★★★★★
Avoid using Butters John Bee
My partner and her brother recently sold their family home following the death of their Dad. The service provided by Butters John Bee was shockingly poor. The overvalued the property and protected their fee by using a fixed fee contract. When we renegotiated the fee they invoiced the higher fee on completion. Communication was poor. Not all viewings were advised. We had to request information re website activity. When an offer was accepted they sent a wholly inappropriate congratulatory email and repeated this on completion despite our complaint. They knew the family had been recently bereaved and that the sale was reluctant. Wf followed their complaints procedure and after a number of escalations received an offer of £150 and compensation which has been refused. They also sent a “Without Prejudice” letter suggesting we take the matter up with the relevant Ombudsman. A e-mail to the CEO,Paul Smith, was not replied to by him instead he passed it back to the senior person dealing with complaints. Butters John Bee are part of the SpicerHaart Group who also get very poor reviews.
I viewed a property marketed by Butters John Bee and submitted a full asking price offer. Before submitting my offer, I was completely transparent about my buying position and confirmed that I had a property to sell which was not yet on the market. The seller accepted my offer with full knowledge of my circumstances.
Following acceptance, I provided the requested documentation, including my financial information and solicitor's details, and immediately progressed the sale of my own property. Within one week, my property was ready to go live on the market.
Also, following acceptance of my offer, I requested a second viewing but was advised to wait until my own property was under offer. I accepted this. I was therefore extremely surprised to subsequently be contacted and told that viewings would continue for new prospective buyers and alternative offers could be considered. I found it difficult to understand why I, as the buyer with a full asking-price offer already accepted, was asked to wait for a second viewing while new prospective buyers were actively accommodated.
The day before my own property was due to go live, I received a phone call from the agent specifically informing me that the property would continue to be actively marketed, further viewings would take place and another offer could potentially be accepted.
I genuinely struggle to understand the purpose of that phone call. The agent had a full asking price offer on the table from a buyer whose circumstances had been disclosed from the outset and whose property was literally due to go on the market the following day. What outcome was expected from telling me that, despite progressing everything requested of me, my intended onward purchase might ultimately be sold to somebody else?
I explained during the phone call that, if the property could not reasonably be relied upon as my onward purchase, I would have to continue viewing other properties. I then raised my concerns formally in writing and clearly explained that I could not confidently progress the sale of my own home while the property I intended to purchase remained actively marketed to alternative buyers.
Rather than any short review period or compromise being offered, the continued marketing position was reiterated to me. I was advised that the seller “may still choose to wait” for me.
At that point, what other reasonable option was I being left with?
I was effectively being asked to remain committed to a purchase, progress and potentially agree the sale of my own home, while being explicitly told that the property I was purchasing might be sold to somebody else in the meantime.
As a direct result of how this situation was handled, I formally withdrew my full asking price offer and restarted my property search.
I completely understand that sellers want proceedable buyers and need to protect their position. However, buyers also have a position to protect. I had been transparent from day one, supplied the requested information, instructed my solicitor and progressed my own property to market within one week.
In my opinion, calling a serious buyer the day before their property goes live specifically to emphasise that their intended purchase may be sold to another buyer is extremely poor sales handling. I had already made my offer and demonstrated my intention to proceed. The conversation did not accelerate my sale, my property was already going live the following day. It simply removed any confidence I had in the onward purchase and ultimately led to my withdrawal.
I am still genuinely unsure what outcome the agent expected other than the buyer reconsidering or withdrawing their offer.
Unfortunately, I found the communication and handling of the transaction extremely disappointing. Based on my experience.
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Sandhu英国 · 14 reviews · Experienced 2026-07-13 ·
★★★★★
Unprofessional
My property is for sale with another agent but BJB has obtained my private personal information, mobile number & address and has bombarded me with constant voicemails in an attempt to poach my home sale, saying they have a buyer. I have over 20 cold call voicemails from different BJB staff across a number of BJB offices - absolutely disgusting practice. I will raise formal report to TPS. Would give no stars and posting review to warn others of its underhand, unprofessional practices.
Worst agency ever, they are stealing your money, ignoring the messages and calls, as a landlord I don’t recommend this agency and will never use it again, EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL.
If i could give zero stars, i would. Left with blocked toilet drain for months. Kept asking if we had put something we shouldn't have down the toilet, despite having lived there for many years and never having that problem. Served section 21 notice just before new legislation came out in May. House still not up for rent or sale. When we found somewhere else to live, sent our notice via email and signed for letter. Tried to tell us not received. We vacated the property we were told the deposit would be released within 7 days. Several weeks later and still chasing. Told there was an admin issue and needed our bank details. My husband handed over personally in branch as did not want to send via unsecure email. Told a week later that they had still not received, by same person they were handed to!!! Very incompetent and uncaring branch!? Philosophy from above seems to be to just replenish staff instead of investing in the ones they already have. They obviously have unrealistic expectations of them!
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Sarah Smith英国 · 11 reviews · Experienced 2026-07-10 ·
★★★★★
I'd like to thank Max (staffordshire…
I'd like to thank Max (staffordshire branch) for all of his help throughout our application.
Although we weren't successful this time, he kept us informed, was friendly, professional, and took the time to call us personally with the outcome. We really appreciated his communication and honesty throughout the process. We'd happily recommend him and hope to work with him again in the future.
Was a tenant for an extremely long time. Service has been poor all the way through. Their values are more for the landlord than looking after the tenant. Landlord a completely unreasonable. No maintainance done on the property. Same carpets and bathroom and kitchen after 17 years and is now refusing my deposit. Absolute joke. Just a money grabber he doesn't care about his tenants. He wouldn't allow us to make adaptions for my husband with MND we have suffered for the last 2 years since his diagnosis where my husband has not been able to go and use the upstairs bathroom because he is wheelchair bound. And had no way of getting him up there its an abuse of himan rights. Absolutely disgusting. I won't name them because I am not going to be held for slander. No compassion or empathy what's so ever. To say im angry is an understatement.
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Mr. Mr.英国 · 3 reviews · Experienced 2026-06-25 ·
★★★★★
Incompetent
Incompetent - can't even carry out basic admin tasks or keep their own records up to date.
We are not a customer of Butters John Bee, we chose to sell our property with another recommended Congleton Estate Agent. Despite having no recent contact requesting any assistance from this company we have had FOURTEEN calls in the last two months soliciting us to cancel with our existing agents and give them the opportunity to sell the property. Despite having a call yesterday again from them where we told them the property is sold we received another call today, unbelievable. We are taking advice and have been told to report them to the Property Ombudsman for harassment and unprofessional conduct. Be warned! We have put one star on this review because we can’t give a negative score.
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Kat and Shane英国 · 11 reviews · Experienced 2026-06-18 ·
★★★★★
Claire Herety always goes that extra…
Claire Herety always goes that extra mile to assist with moving my transactions forward to completion. I would be lost without her. Thank you Claire for always going above and beyond your duty.
I don't usually leave negative reviews, but after our experience, I feel it's important to share it honestly.
We instructed Butters John Bee to sell our home during one of the most difficult periods of our lives. I had just lost my mum and was in the process of organising her funeral. At the time, I did not personally sign the agency agreement or fully appreciate the fee structure. The agreement was signed by my husband, who struggles significantly with reading and understanding written documents, and I later discovered that the fixed fee was £4,200 including VAT.
I have never disputed that Butters John Bee introduced the buyers who went on to purchase our home, and I have now paid the fee in full. My disappointment lies in the way my concerns were handled when I raised them. I asked for clarification regarding the requirement for only one signature, requested evidence of the relevant terms and conditions, and sought a goodwill gesture given the exceptional circumstances surrounding the instruction. I also raised a formal complaint and followed up when my emails went unanswered.
The response I received was simply that the fee stood and payment was required. Whilst I appreciate the condolences offered regarding the loss of my mother, I felt there was very little empathy or flexibility shown throughout the complaints process.
This review is not about avoiding payment for a service that was provided. It is about feeling listened to, treated fairly and shown understanding as a person going through an incredibly difficult time.
I have referred the matter to The Property Ombudsman for an independent review, not to dispute that a fee was due, but because I believe consumers deserve transparency, compassion and proper consideration when genuine concerns are raised.
This is simply my personal experience, shared honestly and factually, so that others can make informed decisions when choosing an estate agent.
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Rachel英国 · 2 reviews · Experienced 2026-06-08 ·
★★★★★
Excellent service from start to finish
Excellent service from start to finish, particularly from Kelly Johnson who was so helpful all the way and went out of her way to help and always got back to me straight away by phone or email . I can’t thank her enough
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Lyrren英国 · 3 reviews · Experienced 2026-05-12 ·
★★★★★
Damaged my property and aren't interested.
Caused damage to my property because, when putting up their sign, were too lazy to put it in the ground. It was easier just to attach it to, and destroy, an exterior light.
Asked a simple question of "I can have the original installer fix it, or would you like to" and no response. I guess they wanted option C-do nothing.
Sort yourselves out. It doesn't take a week to say "yes please arrange for the repair for the damage we caused" or "we will contact the installer directly to arrange for a repair for the damage we caused". I called and emailed and received no response to this question ^^
EDIT: To the dismissive attitude from the Branch Partner, it isn't acceptable to say "we are waiting on the party who put the board up". Of course they will keep you waiting a long time because you are asking them for money and they are also not capable of putting a simple wooden post in the ground, so why you want them messing with electricity is beyond me. Why don't you fix the damage (as an estate agent who offers a managed service for landlords, you will have a list of tradesmen already) instead of passing it off to people who clearly couldn't care less before, and will care even less now you are asking them for money.
You only pick up the phone when you can make money, which is fine, but, when its your mistake, you aren't at all interested.
I would ask how damage looks on a property you are supposed to be trying to sell, but somebody else will be trying to sell it, not yourselves, after this experience.
EDIT 2: quote from Branch manager's email: "He will be getting the repair done either Thursday/Friday this week". As of Friday 18:58 no contact. At this point I decided to prematurely end my agreement with Butters John Bee. Other estate agents charge lower commission and don't mess people around like this.
EDIT 3: Within one day I arranged for a repair myself and I am awaiting reimbursement: no interest in doing it. Please take note anyone who wishes to consider using them-we are coming up to three full weeks of this issue and they are not interested. They are petty enough to take three weeks to deal with something that could be dealt with within one day. This is how they treat customers when have power-petty.
James was second to none he went above and beyond great guy would highly recommend asking for him .
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Peter Kelly爱尔兰 · 4 reviews · Experienced 2026-05-14 ·
★★★★★
Recognition of professionalism
To whom it may concern, I wish to recognise the professionalism of Megan Pugh in managing the letting requirements a new tenancy for an apartment owned by me in Leek, Staffordshire. Megan's commitment and methodical approach was evident from the outset and her efforts provided me a level of confidence that matters were being handled in a meaningful and effective manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending Megan and her colleagues to other property owners.
