Joe Martins and Sheffield Estates, unprofessional.

On the 13th Nov I paid R 7 500 dep, R 7 500 1st Months rent & R 650 admin fee. We visited and were told by the other residence that parking was a nightmare and there were often confrontations. This was Friday evening, 1st thing Monday I informed Joe that we were no longer interested. He became uncooperative and suggested in an e mail of forfeiture of deposits and other costs. Another reputable Agency and their conveyancing Attorney said these were ludicrous. I advised Joe Martins I would initiate legal proceedings. <br> On the 8th December I received an invoice.<br> Advertising R 208 (North Coast Courier charges R 79-50 for 15 words, so I've subsidised other adverts)<br> Lease document fee R 650-00 (for them sending an e mail to me)<br> Bank fee/pay prop dep & refund R 540-00 (I paid into their ABSA account on Friday and informed them on Monday, the money probably never left their account)<br> Cancellation/Compensation fee R 500 ( I'm told this is not standard practice, just extortion)<br> All this ignoring the 5 day cooling off period in the Consumer Protection Act.<br> The opportunity to take money is short lived compared to the reputational meltdown which this sort of unprofessional behaviour creates.