Net firm takes site off market

The company intended to cut the estate agent's role

A Cardiff-based dot.com company that set out to put estate agents out of business, has announced it has ceased trading.

Easier.co.uk's website - which advertised homes and offered sellers the chance to avoid estate agents - has been shut down following the internet firm's collapse.

Easier failed to make a profit

In November last year, the company was put up for sale following the collapse of its share price on the stock market. A buyer was never found.

During a £12m promotion, the firm promised buyers an introduction to sellers on a strictly no-fee basis with a logo of 'no commission, no estate agents, no hassle'.

The easier team would like to thank you all for your support over the last year... please do not reply to this e-mail as there will be no-one to read your mail... goodbye from the easier team.

easier's farewell e-mail to users

This, they had promised would cut out the expense of an estate agents who would normally charge a commission of around 2%.

It intended to make money was by passing on clients details - with their permission - to financial institutions.

And for a while at least, Easier's future looked bright. Amid last years mania for dot.com stocks, share prices rocketed making paper millionaires of its founders.

No buyer has been found. It is with great regret that I must inform you that as of 28th February 2001 the easier.co.uk web site will cease operation

Easier's website statement

But revenue from selling details of homebuyers was found to be disappointing and the company failed to make a profit.

The Easier website now informs visitors that having failed to find a buyer the service is now discontinued.

A statement on the website, read: "As you probably know easier plc the company that owns easier.co.uk has been trying to sell the web site over the last few months.

"No buyer has been found. It is with great regret that I must inform you that as of 28th February 2001 the easier.co.uk web site will cease operation.

"The Easier team would like to thank you all for your support over the last year and we hope that the site has been of benefit to you.