Hi Dougal
you may like to check out the advertising standards website - link below ;
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications ... _42567.htm
where debt free direct were taken to task about the claim that it won't cost you a penny. The response may help you understand who pays what.
I am however aware of a couple of IVA companies who charge up front fees (equivalent to 2 or 3 months IVA contributions ) before the creditors meeting and even if the iva is not successful. This I believe will happen more and more because the banks are not playing ball and 2007 was a particularly difficult time for people in debt who had IVA's rejected.
Many creditors are putting pressure on the IP to reduce fees and I have seen Nominee fees reduced to £800. They actually can't afford to do it for this. especially when you look at the company acounts and you see that the cost of acquisition for an IVA ( for a big well advertised company) well over £750. If you then add on the incentives they offer introducers it becomes scarey.
This actually ties up with a pet hate and that is the current system for folks with the well advertised £15k of debt who go into an IVA pay about £250 per month. It would be usual for the IP to receive more than the creditors.
I can't wait for the new SIVAS to come into play and that should reduce some of the costs and make the process better for everyone.