Ernest Wilson Reviews 23

Foolishly I decided to sell my business through Ernest Wilson and endured an appalling experience. I asked for a discreet sale; it didn't happen, anything but.

Endless phone calls from numerous EW employees.

Potential purchasers who clearly fell outside the criteria I specified.

Even the solicitor I employed to draw a line under the whole sorry mess was astounded by your EWs intransigent attitude

I used Ernest Wilson to sell my café. I was told verbally that a commission would only be charged if the business was sold. Instead, I was billed £1,200 for advertising and other services, even though the café was not sold.

At the time, my husband was seriously ill, which the company knew, yet they still proceeded to take me to court. I consider this unfair and insensitive. Make sure everything is clearly in writing before agreeing to their services.

Very poor experience of dealing with Ernest Wilson, The secured a buyer who failed to complete, refused to hand over the deposit to cover my costs and still charged me commission for the sale. Appalling business practice.

It almost seems as though they are fabricating buyers just to force their commission payments through and con businesses for their fees, which are rather substantial.

Absolutely horrific company needs closing down there has been a Facebook group set up for this company

Total Scam – Ernest Wilson Is a Waste of Time and Money

If you’re thinking about using Ernest Wilson to sell your business — don’t. Save yourself the stress, the money, and the regret.

They made big promises to us, said they had serious buyers lined up, talked about how quickly they could sell. Reality? NOTHING. Just silence, excuses, and copy-paste listings using old, inaccurate data.

This company acts more like a legal trap than a business broker. Once they’ve got your signature, you’re locked in and they know it. The service is non-existent — and when you question anything, cue Stuart popping up with a smug reply quoting terms and conditions. Every time. No apology. No ownership. Just hiding behind fine print.

We’ve read other reviews and it’s shocking how many people have been through the same nightmare — even saying it’s affected their mental health and sucide. PLEASE READ TRUSTPILOT

These lot also have a facebook group - which people have started because of the hurt and damge this company has caused.

You ended up getting more genuine interest just by listing on Facebook and it’s free

Honestly, this company should not be allowed to operate like this. If you’re reading this and thinking of signing anything — DON’T. You’ll regret it.

And Stuart — don’t bother replying to this with your usual copy-paste damage control. We’ve seen it all before.

Review to follow shortly, as I am currently being invoiced over £7000 for a 4 hour consultation and 6 or 7 pictures, and they didn’t get a sale for me didn’t inform me we should of had 3 years trading books when we didn’t have a full years book so they where prepared to hood wink potential buyers and they lied about quite a few things be very careful before entering into any discussions at all full revue will be written upon completion

I would like to warn small businesses especially Fish and Chip Shop's who are not aware of the contracts made by these people and how trapped you are once you have signed. They are guaranteed money regardless of whether they achieve results or not. I am fortunate that in not doing a EPC there "expenses" were limited, otherwise I would have seen prices similar to other reviews on this page. Once again, I would like to warn all the Greeks in the Chip Shops and anyone else about signing a contact with this company. Avoid it like the plague.

I would also like to say that I have sold my business without the help of Stuart or any other agent. I just want to let people know that there are agents that you can use that you only pay when they get a result for you.

Avoid,avoid,avoid!!! Using toxic marketing tactics to gain. Be vigilant do not trust. We have had an agreement of only advertising the business and was billed different. Stuart one of the directors is very good in supporting toxic marketing tactics combined.

All I’ll say to avoid any extra stress or charges they might apply for negativity which I’m sure there will be an angle somewhere.
Is just don’t so it!!!

Awful company. Terrible service, lied about fees, stuck with a huge bill. Do not use.

Avoid Ernest Wilson at all costs! They initially overvalued my business to secure my contract, but once I signed, I found myself locked into an agreement that heavily favored them—whether or not they found a buyer. Over four years, only two viewings took place, with many scheduled viewings resulting in no-shows or completely unsuitable buyers. It was clear that potential buyers were not properly vetted. Now, I’m facing a hefty bill and potential court action for virtually no service delivered. This company feels more like legal extortion than a legitimate business service. Stay well away from these legal thieves!”

My sister signed with this company, they did not visit her business, and did not send any serious buyers. She wrote the copy and supplied the photos. She gave them notice and found a buyer through her own adverts, and sold the business for a much lower price than it was worth to get away from the stress of Covid and cost of living. Last year, they took her to court for advertising, what a joke - they didn't do any advertising. They issued a CCJ against her by using her former address, even though they knew her current address, so she knew nothing about it until the bailiffs turned up threatening her. They didn't care that the company used the wrong address. She attempted suicide because she was so humiliated and distraught, we had the police looking for her, luckily they found her.
They have done the same thing again, a CCJ has just been added to her credit file using her former address for the correspondence, even though they know her current address. We believe they have done this purposely so that she can not dispute the claim.
I have taken this case over for her because we are worried about her mental health, she has gone missing again because she is worried the bailiffs are going to turn up again.
These people are scum.
We will fight them this time, my sister called her son to borrow the money which she is unable to pay back. They will not intimidate this family again.

Avoid this business in any meanings, me and disabled husband been promised no charges will accure until they sold the business, they never sold it, but charge me £1,700.00 bill for doing literally nothing. Went to court and even tried to get more monies from me. AVOID THEM!!!

Put my buisness up for sale had 2 viewing and tried to charge me thousands avoid at all cost check out there reviews

*Avoid at all costs*
Williamson (Director) comes out to value your business, he then lies tells u there is nothing to post until the business sells, he does not go through the contract with you, he lies and pushes you to sign.
That’s the beginning of the end, they now own you.
You are not allowed to remove your business from sale, if you do they will take you to court and insist on thousands of pounds, even if you haven’t sold your business.
Stuart Moorhouse (ex Barclays employee) is a vile individual and will hound you into your grave, he likes to play detective, lawyer and judge.
On the plus side, I don’t wake up laid next to that, so life is good
Seriously folks don’t sign, even better don’t let them through your door.

What a set of cowboys.
The director who comes and see's you fills you full of false promises. He will tell you that there is nothing to pay, and all charges come out of the sale of the business, so basically he is selling a no win no fee
product (NWNF). My advice is keep well away from this company. If you do decide that their over inflated valuation of your business is worth the hassle then go ahead, but make sure that you delete the section ion their contract that says you are PERSONALLY liable for all costs should you cancel their agreement.
THE ONLY REASON THEY GOT 1 STAR IS YOU CANNOT GIVE THEM ZERO.

Please think very carefully before signing any paperwork for this company they are very deceptive and are not interested in selling your business they are looking to charge you through the roof for doing nothing. They tell you there is nothing to pay unless they successfully sell the business but this is a lie! They will add all kinds of charges and harass you. I wish I never got in touch with this company, do your homework before contacting them as it will be a costly mistake!

One of the worst companie in UK. Avoid to work with them. Never don't leave with them any penny as deposit. You can/sell a business without to work with them.

Ernest Wilson proceeded to advertise my business when I was still negotiating a lease with the landlord. They had promised to wait until I had this in place before commencing saying they would still need the rest of the paperwork before going ahead. Stuart has lied again and again including in court. The judges seem to side with them which is disappointing and means this continues. Please report them for their actions to as many governing bodies as possible. Please avoid. Read the small print. Find a reputable company and read the reviews for the company before you even contact them.