Reviva UK

[MelanieGiles]

Hi Paul

I am curious to know whether the majority of complaints you have received come from volume IVA firms or from small specialist practices. Have you noticed any sort of pattern, or are you compling statistics, as to be frank I would be insulted if one of my clients felt that they needed to use your services - but if they did perhaps it would mean that I had failed somewhat in my level of client service.

As an outsider looking in to my profession, could you make some comments as to how you see things at present, and the issues that you perceive consumers should look out for when perhaps choosing someone to represent them.

Also I would be very keen to learn your qualificaions - either professional or from experience - which lead you to feel that you can comment and advise in such a public arena.

These points are not meant to be offensive to you - indeed I welcome your input into this forum.

[Reviva UK]

Janey

only my bank manager calls me Mr Johns - everyone else calls me paul - ( my ex wife uses a latin variation starting with w!)

[MelanieGiles]

And on the subject of qualifications I have a Latin "O" Level and I can't work that one out!!! But I did pass in 1981 so maybe my memory is a bit dim!

[Reviva UK]

Hi Melanie

can't sleep either?

The majority of suspect solutions come from the volume iva firms - it might be simply statistics as the more you do the higher the percentage might fail. However I still go back to the position that some IVA's with contributions at under £300 pm are made to fit by simply adjusting the expenditure to suit. These "allowed " expenditures bear no resemblance to real life or even the allowed expenses in Bankruptcy. Therefore in my opinion they are bound to fail in time.

Usually if we are approached from a non volume IVA house it is usually because the person is frightened to speak to the IP incase they get into trouble or make them bankrupt- this is just an education process and sometimes they don't realise that the majority of IP's are seeking a reasonable outcome for the creditor and debtor.

Whilst I am not an IP I have been in the industry for a number of years and have helped very many people to become debt free using all the solutions to debt. At Reviva UK we receive about 40 introductions per month so have a good grasp of the solutions and for extremely complicated cases would seek advice from an IP of a specialist solicitor.

In terms of choosing an IP I would suggest that the client either meet the IP face to face or rely on personal recommendation to ensure they are comfortable with the choice. They have to live with the relationship for 5 years unless the debtor seeks a modification to change the supervisor.

Other history includes personal financial disaster but not insolvency 13 years ago after a messy and expensive divorce. Senior management (VP)for Xerox Corporation in North America, and experience of the adverse mortgage market in the UK

If your coffee is good wouldn't mind a trip to discuss other points re stats and experiences if you like.

[MelanieGiles]

Thanks Paul - I have personally been impressed by your posts and the fact that you are prepared to stand up and represent what you feel is the right thing to do. I have often been accused of doing the same thing!

And we make good coffee in South Wales, so why not drop me an e-mail and we can discuss some mutual dates for a chat.

I also share your views about low contribution cases and their risk of failure. The failure rates I have experienced in my own portfolio are less than 5%, but I can guarantee these largely fall in the category of contributions of between £250 and £300 rather than the upper end. And I do feel that there is a correlation of failure in the area where IPs or their senior staff are not involved in the advisory stages and remain unaccessible whilst the case is being supervised.

[jpj]

Well done John,you won Melanie over in record time!! you smooth fast worker you!!

I personally never do coffee on a first date!!...sus him out first Melanie!! ;o) LOL

[Soulgrowth]

I just wanted to welcome Paul's valauble contributions to the Forum. From personal experience, during my own ongoing IVA journey, I have frequently felt the need for a 'friend' to mediate between myself and my IP ... indeed Melanie stepped in at one point and, perhaps unwittingly, did this for me.

I do think that the IPs neutrality ... veering towards preference to the creditors because they have to build good working relationships with the creditors, a utilatarian approach ... the greatest good for the greatest amount of people ... works against us sometimes.

I am not sure however Paul how IP firms take to this? The people that helped me were 'frozen out' by my IP compnay who refused to deal with them.

I would therefore be interested to hear how you make your way up the stairs Ivory Tower that our IPs can sometimes reside in ... and what happens when you knock on the door? [:)]

Keep up the good work Paul ... there's a ned for all kids of help for people like us who find themselves needing some professional help at particular points in their lives.

Debbie

[Reviva UK]

Morning Debbie

Thank you for that but I guess it will take time for people to feel comfortable with me and I fully understand that.

I have never found a problem with being in the "triangle" and provided that one develops a relationship properly and doesn't threaten the IP or particularly the assistant then all is usually fine.

I think it also may be that if one knows the language and a reasonable understanding of the law, insolvency and IVA's and the "interesting clauses" then the IP is likely to take you at face value. After all it is in everyone's interest to make it work otherwise the B option becomes more attractive.

Don't every forget that everyone is human ( I remind myself that everyone uses toilet paper so we are all equal!) so often the fear of ivory towers lies with us and those who live there are only allowed to live there because we let them.

Also several years at a high level in blue chip companies gives me confidence in my communication ( not spelling!) and personal skills.

Have a great weekend.