Last year I went through the horrific process of selling my suburban London house. I did look at PB, but decided that 'you get what you pay for', so went to the largest local EA. So thankful I did. The Lady allocated to my house was incredible and was there for me through the good times and the many bad bits.
When a would-be purchaser pulled out - almost at the last minute ( I actually had a remover in my house doing an estimate for me when it happened), she came round to tell me the bad news. That experience Estimator told me he had never seen an EA who would have done that, not just made a phone call.
Towards the end, she spent virtually all of one day trying to track down the elusive on-line conveyancing company of my purchasers, purchaser and also to PB who were acting for my purchaser.
It was she who telephoned me as I was driving down to my new home to let me know that the money had now gone through on my house, and again - it was she who telephoned me a little while later to say I could now pick up the keys to my new flat. It was over three hours later that I received a call from my Solicitors giving me that information!!!
So, yet, it cost more than PB - but wonderful, wonderful service throughout all those months.
Sure PB will work for some, but with all the very many stresses involved in the (laughingly called 'system') of selling/buying in England, think a good Estate Agent is worth every penny. Wish I could say the same about Conveyancing Solicitors!!