notabeneglobal.com Avis 

For serious travel aficionados looking to go well beyond what a general travel agent card holder service or average concierge will provide, these are the people. Discerning, passionate and exceedingly knowledgeable - the service - we found to be unparalleled.

John & Tina Northover

Untrustworthy, be wary about doing business with this company, you may lose a lot of money...

Anthony Lassman (the founder of Nota Bene Global), appears to be providing a flashy, expensive service with little or no actual value when you scratch the surface.

His service, Nota Bene Global Real Estate, requires up-front payment so he can get paid immediately -- without any deliverables. He refuses to even explain the fees or service details. He just wants me to write a blank cheque, with no information about what/how he'll provide any value. See our WhatsApp chat below.

For context, he is charging for a service that real estate agents provide to buyers for free.

Our conversation:

[12:24 PM, 5/14/2021] Anthony Lassman (Nota Bene Global Real Estate): Thank you for your mailer response.
We only operate on a retainer basis as we don’t sell anything. It’s all about advising, seeking and acquiring. Please advise and we will send terms and an agreement.
Meanwhile is there a budget and preferred location?
Best, Anthony

[12:25 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: You require a retainer? So does that mean I'd need to pay you upfront even if you don't find anything for me?

[12:34 PM, 5/14/2021] Anthony Lassman (Nota Bene Global Real Estate): We operate on the standard basis of a small admin fee as a commitment and then you only pay the retainer when we find and acquire a property

[12:34 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: What are the fees?
[12:35 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: I'm curious - Why don't you just split the agency commission like other brokers in the UK do?

[12:43 PM, 5/14/2021] Anthony Lassman (Nota Bene Global Real Estate): We are a private client membership for travel and an advisory/ acquisition service on real estate.
Many operate in this way in the U.K. especially as much is sourced off market and not necessarily through brokers.
I hope that clarifies and recognise it may not be for everyone but we have never met with resistance.

[12:43 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: How do you source "off-market" since you're not local?

[12:53 PM, 5/14/2021] Anthony Lassman (Nota Bene Global Real Estate): With expert local knowledge, high level contacts and expertise.

[1:05 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: Can you please explain? That's very vague. As I can see, the value is the off-market search, since the on-market search I can get from any agent. But since you're not local, can you please explain how you find off-market villas...?

.....Anthony typing and deleting, over and over.....

[1:10 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: Please help me to understand how the service works. I also need an answer about your fees. Thanks

[2:04 PM, 5/14/2021] Anthony Lassman (Nota Bene Global Real Estate): I am not convinced we should continue this dialogue as, with respect, we are probably not the right service for you especially if you are in contact with local agents. Thanks.

[2:04 PM, 5/14/2021] Me: Why is that?

[2:11 PM, 5/14/2021] Anthony Lassman (Nota Bene Global Real Estate): If you are questioning how we’d be able to find off-market villas, and why we don’t work with local agents, the implication is that there is lack of confidence from the outset.
I hope you find what you are looking for and thank you for following up but we won’t go any further.