anonym wrote on 12-16-2011

Review of Auslocate

I was really disappointed with the relocation services provided by Auslocate, mainly because I had heard quite positive things from other people that had used them. I have a suspicion that it may be partly because I’m at the lower end of the professional salary range, so I couldn’t afford top-level property rentals. Although, given they charge an hourly rate ($85 + GST), it shouldn’t matter what type of property the client is after as to how well they are treated. Some of the reasons why I was disappointed include: - About half of the homes in the property searches performed were above the rental ceiling I had given them, meaning I was paying for their time to do incorrect searches. - I had said that I wasn’t interested in a property but was taken to inspect it anyway (again, adding to the hours I was charged for). - I wasn’t successful after the first property search completed, but asked them to hold off from doing another one as I was travelling interstate over the following weekend. An additional search was completed anyway, and I was charged for the time. - On two occasions, I asked them to set up inspections for properties that I was interested in. On neither occasion did this happen. For one, I was told by Auslocate that the lease was for six months only with no possibility of extending. This wasn’t long enough for me so I told Auslocate not to worry. When an inspection for the house was listed, I attended by myself and spoke to the real estate agent who informed me that they had not yet been in contact with the (interstate) owners to find out if the lease could be extended. - The only phone communication Auslocate undertook was via text message, meaning it cost me to respond. - When I asked them to send me the invoice for their services, they sent it directly to my employer instead. As I had a car with me, it was much easier to do the home searches myself and be happy with the properties I was inspecting. If you want to try this, stop in at a tourist information centre and buy a street directory map for $8. Also, on allhomes.com.au you can add properties you’re interested in to a watch list, so when inspections are listed (or if properties are under application/rented), it updates automatically. From there, you can create a trip plan for inspections on any particular day, and the website will list all of the properties in your watch list that are open for inspection on that day. It will also give you driving instructions and maps, and an estimated travel time between properties. If you’re coming from interstate or overseas, Auslocate may be useful for taking you between inspections. But, if your fairly confident with a map and can complete some Internet searches, it might be worth attempting it yourself.