Yes I can can see that Lesley - I do feel envious of posters who are with Mel. Trouble is when I started I didn't really know where to look and in the end I was just guided by National Debtline but as i said earlier my company (lifeboat) has been fine just lacking in the personal contact which I feel is beneficial in something as major in your life as an iva x
Hi Ruth
I can genuinely recommend Mels team too. She will need to speak to you a couple of times whilst the IVA is being set up, but in addition to that she is always available to you during your journey. Whilst I did not need a face to face, I was impressed that had I wanted to meet her, she offered to come to the northeast from her base in Cardiff.
I've actually met two IP's - Mel and David Mond who is the CEO of Cleardebt - neither of them are mine!!!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Well when I started the ball rolling I thought I'd have to travel upto Sheffield for the initial creditors meeting, but after calling the IP up they just said it was ok to be on the end of a telephone.
I've never met my old IP, or any other IP for that matter in person, from start through til finish.
We're willing to wipe the slate clean, give you a fresh start. All that we're asking in return is your cooperation.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
There does seem to be a huge difference in how much access people have to their IPs, I would encourage everyone starting out to ask whether they are allowed to speak to/email their IP direct. I've never spoken to mine, but some firms are very aggressive in making sure no-one gets through. It seems like you'd have to stage a sit-in to speak to them!
Fortunately I've never needed to speak to mine as my case worker has always been able to answer any queries but I do agree that they should be more accessible when the need arises.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I encourage as many of my clients as possible to come and meet with us on a face to face basis, but perhaps only around 20% actually do. I am not sure I would hand over my hard earned cash to a stranger for the next five years, without checking them out fully - but as Nick has stated in his earlier post this is only essential if our clients are self-employed.
I think most of us aren't aware of this fact Mel - I know I wasn't. I just went along with what I was told. Fortunately it has worked out ok for me so far.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
It is very clear under SIP 3 that the IP, or a senior member of their staff, must offer a personal meeting - and if the client declines this then the meeting can be conducted over the telephone.
I think we spoke to our IP on the date of the creditor meeting but other than that it was ordinary staff we spoke to.
We were told that we could attend the creditor meeting if we wanted to but other than that there was no offer of a meeting.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
