This is usually the process if you offer a lower price than what’s listed on 591. I haven’t come across someone in Taiwan who offered exactly what was listed on 591 since everyone overprices. Perhaps for distressed properties? But they have their own purchasing rules.
If I were the OP I wouldn’t accept the lowest price. I’d lawyer up.
Yeah it sounds really dodgy.
You really need a real estate lawyer, also the Chinese version of the contract is what counts, English wordings do not. You need a real estate lawyer to look over it.
Yeah, these agents/brokers use this tactic to “legally scam” unsuspecting clients. They will just go with the lowest possible price and won’t even negotiate/bargain for you.
It happened with me when I went to buy a used car at this used car place where the salesman made me sign a lengthy contract first (in chinese). The contract states that he will bid online for used cars for me within my price range, brand, age of car etc. He asked me to put down my lowest to highest price I’m willing to go…I put in 60K~100K…Brand I put in Toyota, Honda and age around within 10~15 years. He then advised me that it would be difficut to place a bid within these ranges and told me to widen my range. I then went with 80K~120K, Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mitsubishi(From highest to lowest preference) and 15~20 years. He then went to his office and in about 15 mins, came out and said he placed a winning bid for me! My car he bid was for 80K, Mitsubishi Lancer Year 2000 (almost 20 years old). I asked if he even looked around for a better deal (I was leaning more towards a Toyota around 10~12 years old) and he said he was within my range, albeit on the border line. My wife was of course not happy!! She asked if he even looked around for better deals and he said he just went with the lowest price for a quick sale!!! 
We had no choice but to honor the contract but I learned from this mistake!!!
It seems pretty wild that they don’t ask for further approval from the customer after checking what’s available (and also that customers accept this system and don’t insist on being asked for such approval).
Exactly! My wife & I, both car noobs (菜鳥) at that time mistakenly thought that they would, at least, first show us what they would place a bid on, never thought they would outright go and place a winning bid without consulting us. Our mistake for not thoroughly reading the 5 page contract and all in Chinese!!! Both me and wifey are NOT natural born Taiwanese (naturalized citizens) . 
That’s very unfortunate, but it’s a good lesson for everyone at least. Low price: n/a
Indeed. This thread is an example of when Forumosa can be really helpful. I had no idea about this scam.
What’s the betting on the buyer being a relative/friend of the realtor?
I doubt a lawyer would be of any help here as you had already signed the contract. 永慶房屋 didn’t force or coerce you into signing nor did they not let you read/understand the contract fully before you put your signature there. It’s an honest mistake on your behalf but the law does not look at it this way.
In my case, after my wife put up a tantrum right there at the office, the manager called us in to his office and calmly explained to us that they didn’t do anything wrong. They stuck to the contract, word for word. He even advised us, that all salespersons do this. He said you should’ve just put in one price which you are comfortable with and not a big range and as for the brand, you should’ve put only Toyota and the year you want.. Salespeople are looking for commissions and will do anything to get an easy sale (業績).
In the OP’s case, he/she should’ve put the price that he/she wants to be the lowest price (e.g: 10 million, but in reality, 8 million would be ideal too) and if someone offers anything below 10 million, then the agent will come to you to negotiate. This way you will have some leeway at least.
It unfortunate you have to go through this. I hope you come out of this deal satisfied. Let us know how it went.
As for the car I got “scammed” with…well, within a year a drunk old 70-ish blue truck driver smashed into it, totalling it!!! I parked it on the roadside near Taoyuan (萬壽路). Of course, the driver drove off, his truck smashed and all. He went home and called 110 to report he hit a car but since it was too dark, he left. Cops found him after viewing CCTV footage and he only paid me 30K in the end as he was piss broke. 
And the policeman said, “now, what’s the minimum and maximum compensation you’re looking for?”… 
LOL, wish the cops here are so diligent in carrying out their duties. The lady cop, who was in charge of my case, was actually quite supportive and maintained phone contact with me throughout the ordeal. She summoned both me and the truck driver to the station. I initially asked for 80K for my car but the old fart started screaming saying my car was not worth so much and he even came here on his own free will. The lady cop immediately shouted at him telling him to quiet down and he was very lucky he’s not being charged here cos she’s sure he was driving drunk that night but since no one was hurt or injured and no breathlyzer was administered (he fled the scene and went home to Neihu), they can’t press charges. All I can do was to negotiate a compensation in private and if he refused to pay, then I’ll have to go to court as this was a civil case. The police’s duty was to only bring the suspect to me.
Too late now but another great example of why one should pay extra for “proper” insurance! Get car fixed, insurance pays garage, insurance goes after other driver.
Update:
Springonion has it right.
Just to clarify so no one will make the same mistake.
The upper limit is the overpriced price you see on 591 and no-one actually expects to pay.
The 底價 is the price you actually want the thing to be sold for. So you want to sell your house for 400,000 that’s your 底價. The listing price you would just raise to 500,000 because realistically people will haggle this price and not pay it.
As long as the reserve price is met they don’t need to find a better deal. They just want to make the sale.
Once you sign the contract it’s really out of your hands and you can only try to negotiate with the agency you signed with.
This is why you get real estate lawyers involved if you’re selling… and have them look over the contract before doing it. Problem is that with something like real estate, it’s really easy to get burned, and the money involved means you can only make this mistake once.
In my experience there is no contract, when the agent find someone willing to buy there is a meeting to sign the contract and negotiate everything.
Hmm, hard to help much without seeing the contract, especially the wording that you says seems to suggest you HAVE to take the offer.
My wife is a real estate agent and she says there is NO kind of contract with an agent where you are obligated to accept the offer. At worst you would have to pay a “walk-away” fee and then tell the agent to F off.
I suggest going to another agent, they are everywhere, and explaining your situation to them. BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT THE FIRST AGENT, SLANDER SUITS ARE BIG HERE!
Is she a taiwanese based in taipei? Looking for an apartment to rent…
Need notarized contract. Also other papers for hhr…
What’s your highest and lowest price 