Disappointing experience – ensure you read and understand every part of the agreement very carefully before signing.
My experience with Hilton Smythe fell significantly short of what was represented at the outset. The service delivered did not align with the expectations created during the sales process, and several issues only became apparent after the agreement had begun.
Key points from my experience (all evidenced and documented):
Buyer outreach was far below expectations, and a large portion of the so-called “buyer research list” consisted of businesses that were already our own customers. This was never disclosed in advance and the list itself was not shared for approval despite claims that it had been.
No meaningful buyer introductions resulted from their efforts; all genuine conversations came from our own contacts.
Post-termination fee ambiguity was introduced, raising concerns about potential future claims even after the agreement ended.
Incorrect tax information was provided during the early stages of engagement, which we later had to correct ourselves.
A “data room” fee of £250 per month (or £2,500 per year) was requested to store documents that, in our case, amounted to minimal or no data. This charge was never part of the initial agreement and was introduced later without justification.
Lack of any external redress/ombudsman scheme, meaning disputes rely solely on the internal complaints process.
The combination of these issues resulted in a considerable amount of wasted time and a very unsatisfactory experience overall.
I would strongly recommend anyone considering using this company to read and understand every detail of the agreement extremely carefully, ask direct questions about redress, data handling, buyer outreach, and post-termination conditions, and ensure everything is documented in writing.
This review is based solely on my personal, evidenced experience. I hope it helps other business owners make an informed decision.