There's a report in this month's "Which" magazine (available in libraries) which exposes dodgy practices regarding estate agents. The agents were tested by "Which" people posing as buyers and sellers and amongst the scams were agents telling bidders that higher bids existed when they didn't and agents refusing to pass on bids to the vendor unless the bidder used the financial services recommended by the agent.
No Sheffield agent was mentioned and I'm not suggesting that such a practice would happen up here :wink:
Moral of the story. Talk to the vendors more. If you put a bid in, mention it to the vendor. If an agent says that higher bids have been accepted, ask for details and ask the vendor.
Regards

Col S