is there anyway to get the money back

[daveyb]

I have a question about Blair Endersby. I started to go through a IVA application with them, filled in the appropriate forms and budget information with their help and was delighted when the advisor said that there was a good chance of being accepted and that my payments could be as low as £327 per month. I went ahead and sent them the 'administration fee' and sat back thinking all was ok. The drafting office contacted and we went through that process and only then did they ring me back and say that the insolvency advisor had looked through the forms and decided that it was very unlikely that the creditors would accept the IVA proposal as the budget information that they had worked out with me was incorrect and my actual disposable income would mean that over 5 years I'd pay back more than I owed. They then advised me that I should look at a debt management scheme or try and struggle on with my payments. I feel that they have totally stitched me up and only progressed the appilcation to that point to get hold of the 'admin fee' and once they'd got that, they dumped me like a ton of bricks. This now means that I'm a further £650 in debt and no further towards sorting out my issues. I have contacted them and raised the point that as they felt they were unable to help me are they prepared to refund the £654 pounds that I sent them and they turned me down point blank. I've been left with a very sour taste in my mouth and am now going through CCCS which appears to actually be a reputable company. My question is are they allowed to do things like that and is there anyway to get the money back from them.

[mikebdomain]

Hi daveyb and welcome to the forum.

If you feel you have suffered a financial loss you should write to the firm involved and make an official complaint.

They have strict timelines which they must stick to in replying with their final response.

If you are unhappy with their final response you can take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service who will look into your case.

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LEYBRIDGE LIMITED
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[iva.com]

Hi daveyb,

I'm sorry to hear of your experience with Blair Endersby. Would you consider posting a review of your experience at www.IVA.com? This could help others considering an IVA to avoid a similar situation.

Good luck with this and please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Terry Balfour
IVA.com

IVA.com - The IVA Comparison Site
100s of reviews, All IPs and IVA firms rated.

Use our IVA firm comparison tool to find best IVA firm for you:
http://www.iva.com/iva_comparison_1.asp

[Adam Davies]

Hi daveyb
Have a good look at your original paperwork[small print] and see if you can see any reference to upfront fees.
Please post back
Let this posting be a lesson to others,if paying money before your IVA is agreed make sure that you are fully aware of what will happen to it if your IVA proposal is rejected
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[zarron]

do a lot of IVA companies charge this upfront admin fee? seems a bit risky. i was under the impression that any fees came out of your first few monthly payments once the IVA was up and running. thats what my IP (Payplan) does.

[Adam Davies]

Hi
Some ask for payments upfront,some don't.
There is no problem with upfront payments as long as you have it in writing what it is for and will it be refundable.
If no refund is given on an unsuccessful application then I would walk away and find another provider.
IPs put alot of work into a proposal and you can understand that they may want to see a commitment from the debtor by way of starting payments.Most IPs will ask you to cease paying all unsecured debts when you have decided on an IVA[quite rightly] and this money can be used to commence payments towards your IVA.
Just be sure to get something in writing regarding the refund.

Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp