do not use best apartments nyc

file a complaint with the BBB for starters... anyone else? rebny?

That is truly disgusting behavior. Pulling credit reports is no trouble -- it takes a few minutes to pull and often any negative items are highlighted immediately. Plus, I'm sure you paid for any cost of pulling the report in your applicaton fees. I hope you got any other money (deposits) back.

Thanks for the report. I am in the market to get a new rental and I saw a few offerings by this company that I thought I would take a look-see. I will certainly avoid.

So sorry you had that experience very unusual! You should report them to the REBNY (Real Estate Board of NY)

Truly horrific. Report them to REBNY for sure. Every once in awhile repost a short few words on this thread so it shows up on main discussion page. Hopefully that way it will let other potential renters see it.

Thank you for all of your responses.

I will report them to the REBNY. I appreciate all of your advice.

I just feel like they should not get away with this.

this is revolting. godd for you for posting it here. power to the people.

of course, the issue with threads like this is that we have no real idea if the OP is authentic, part of the competition, or a disgruntled (ex)employee. I am in no way stating that this did not really happen, just ... you never know...

I can tell you gcondo that the op is a friend of a friend. He called me (as he knows im a SE addict) and asked what if any recourse this woman he works with could take. I'm afraid this incident took place as described.

Key info missing: What $ did you give them? Application fee (which they would be 100% entitled to keep) or a deposit for apartment (and if so, did anything specify what apartment it was for)?

While I guess you should report them to the REBNY, I really don't think anything will come of it....

The problem with much of the RE broker system is that it is a real unregulated clusterfuck. Given the amount of money involved -even with rentals- there should be better regulatory mechanisms to control behavior and actions. Unfortunately, the RE lobby is far too strong to allow such normal regulation to exist or be enforced for that matter. (This is the same lobby that fought against anti-money laundering policies that would help prohibit drug dealers, criminals and international dictators from buying US property.)

low class... you have EVERY right to change your mind. It's part of doing business with people. had they been polite you would go back AND recommend them.. funny how short sighted people are.
i don't know this firm but it they are a big firm or owned by someone else write a letter to the president... might not do anything, but can't hurt.

I dealt with these idiots back in 2006, and they are truly inept dirtbags.
Showed us a ton of crappy apartments. Then showed us a nice one, we liked it.
Took us to office, ran a credit check.

Getting ready to hop into cab to go sign lease with landlord, and..
"Suprise" they realize there was a typo in the listing.. its really 20% more expensive, and don't we still want it!
Turned the hard sell on, offered to "reduce their commission", etc.
Managed to walk out of their with our credit check fee reimbursed.. but what a waste of a day.

REBNY will not help you, call the Divison of Licensing Services.

The real estate office on 72 nd street, which one is that?
I am dealing with some dirtbag agents from Madison Ave East side RIGHT NOW,horrible experience so far.

Thanks for the post I have a few friends looking uptown. I will be sure to tell them to stay away from these guys.

Wow, what a nightmare. As a broker, I can tell you that it is never a deal until the lease is signed. A certain percentage always fall by the wayside for any number of reasons. And, when they do, I wish the clients well and move on. Your experience is the reason I opened my own shop, so people who deal with my company always feel valued, and they tell their friends and come back. Such a simple principle.

Thank you all for your help...it is greatly appreciated.

Can anyone recommend an agent they have had a good experience with for rental on UES/midtown east?

144 comments on the "hfscomm1 = jimhones09 = rufus" thread, but no good recs for an UES rental agent?

what kind of apartment are you looking for kiz10014?

2 bdrm, betw 72-96, lex to 1st, doorman, recently updated, preferably condo bldg, allow small dogs, with garage, pref with w/d, budget up to 5k/mo

Make sure if your next agent who does/does not answer your e mail, fax, telephone call on certain days due to RELIGIOUS REASONS.

A Big bump up on this post from someone who did not take the advice of this board thinking the downtown office (23rd street) might seem more professional. I even posted that I'd beware.

I was tempted by a CL listing and I made an appointment for a showing. Between that call and the time of the appointment, I discovered that the "real landlord" was offering the same apartment at a more reduced fee and $35 dollars a month cheaper. And that Best Apts" was a co-broke at best. Keeping my end of the bargain I went and got stood up by the Best Apts agent. He screened phone calls and didn't show.
I then phoned the property agent and was told that an application was already on it. \

I'll update this post if I hear an "excuse" tomorrow and how he was sorry he missed my call and that he had "something better" to show me instead.

From 2006, but have a pretty interesting read. Howard Feingold (founder of BestApt's) response to 19 complaints is that they don't mean anything because it is "infinitesimal". What a douche.

http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/cracking-down-on-phony-ads

"Sombke said that since 2002, DOS had received 19 complaints about BestAptsNYC.com, with only one still under investigation. BestAptsNYC's president, Howard Feingold, said he and his company had rented 4,000 apartments and handled 8,000 clients over the same time period: "Do you know how infinitesimal that decimal point is as a percent of the total business?" he said, referring to the complaints as a percent of his volume.

Feingold also remarked on the unfair conundrum facing his company and other brokers when confronted with negative chat on online forums, which he said were likely "90 percent other brokers" being competitive. He said he had tried many times unsuccessfully to identify the ISPs of bad-mouthers on Craigslist, to determine if they were competitors, disgruntled former employees or real complaints."

May want to email Howard and see if you get a response. Make sure your post it here when / if you get an answer.

I guess what Howard Feingold means is that we need legislation to make it illegal to charge rental fees to tenants ... just as it's illegal to collect placement fees from job-seekers.

This thread is too good to let die. I want to hear from Howard about how complaints don't matter because they are "infinitesimal".

I think its unusual they ALWAYS have the same apartments listed as if they never get rented. I noticed this because I have been checking their website almost everyday since January and I just find it to be suspicious. Maybe they are legitimate, I just think its unusual. But yes, please report them.

I have seen this thread andfigured, "Maybe its different now". Since its been 6-10 years. nope. I was wrong.

I found a studio loft for a crazy good price of $1085 in the times square area. I tried to reach out and just emailing someone from there is a whole chore in itself. I ask the same questions at least twice every time because David Perelta only gives one word responses.

"Yes. No. Today." etc.

It's to the point where im nervous to go meet him now. Because I honestly can't tell how legit he his. When I search him up, he is active on other listing sites and even has a linked in. But when I search for this broker ID or realtor ID thats where things get odd. Now I don't know the technicalities behind having s license and being in the database...

But, nonetheless, if you cant give basic customer service and your drag or lack of a response is the reaosn that I missed 3 out of 4 apartments Iwas interested in... It makes me wonder if you even care. I get we all have jobs to do and some maynot want to do it. I get that I'm probably not the potential tenant paying the most money or rent. But if you treat ppl like dirt it shows. And I've seen other reviews about him doing the extreme bare minimum. ITs a huge turn off and makes me not trust the company as a whole.