www.iva.co.uk

Hello everyone, just a note to update you with our situation. We have appointed Melanie and her team to handle our IVA and I can honestly say we both feel a great sense of relief. Having just read the posts regarding Synergi how glad we are that we seem to have chosen a reputable firm to deal with our mess. Things are moving forward and they are obviously a hardworking team, we received a call from Angela today (SATURDAY) to advise us that some paperwork is on its way and emails are frequent too. We feel someone is looking our for us and that we are not on our own. The phone calls have started in earnest but we are keeping calm about it. Letters have been sent to creditors but it would seem that they take time to filter through to the relevant depts and it doesnt help when the phone calls obviously come from abroad and the person doesnt really understand what you are telling them. Anyway we will plod on. Christmas is far from our minds at the moment and the kids know they arent getting much this year but they dont seem bothered. I cannot drum up any excitement about the event apart from that we will have a rest from work. Wonder if we will get any calls on Christmas Day? The good thing is that we will not be touching any plastic and like the rest of you, wont be dreading the bills in the New Year. Just be glad to spend quality time with the family. Lots to do now with getting together the information that Melanies team need. We really feel more positive about the future, just hope our proposals are acceptable to our creditors. We will never get in this situation again.

Hi stoney

It is such a stressful time when you are getting calls all the time from creditors and letters every day, I know letters will have been sent to all your creditors but they seem to take an age to filter through to the call centre and they are all automated systems that just ring people randomly. I just stayed as pleasant as I could and explained why I was having problems and that I was taking advice and kept asking if they could put a hold on my account - most were happy to do this for a week at a time and then they would call again for an update. If they were overly rude or threatening i said I would only correspond with them in writing and not to phone me.

Christmas is a family time and it should not all be about material possesions, I have spent a lot less this year but have enjoyed shopping more as have to think long and hard about what to buy and people have ended up with much more personal gifts this year.

You are in such safe hands with Melanie and the rest of her hardworking team and your future will be much more positive when you have things sorted, I know it feels beyond your control at the moment bu hang in there[:)]

Dont't think you will get any calls on Christmas Day!!!

Take care
Emma x

Thank you Emma, its nice to know that we are not the only ones to go through this. The ball is well and truly rolling now and we will be so relieved to hopefully come through this positively. You are right about Christmas being a family time and presents not being priority. I do feel a bit mean when son is asking for a bike and nothing else but he already has one and I dont think he can think of anything else to ask for. Instead he will get smaller gifts and I am finding that you I am thinking hard before parting with my money for anything let alone Christmas presents.

Some of the phone calls are a bit strange, when you answer the phone theres no-one there so we havent actually spoken to too many people so far. Its just that phone rings a lot, usually when I off to work or School! I have every confidence in melanie and her team and this forum is a godsend when we were considering which way to turn. x

I think its a computer generated calling system and there is always a delay and I was Hello.....nothing.....Hello.....nothing....HELLO..and then they would either answer or hang up. Very strange system they work on.

It is so great now not having all the calls (my iva was accepted on 5th November and handled by Melanie also). The other significant thing is the lack of post - it is so dramatic and such a welcome relief.
Hopefully you will have this to look forward to soon so as tough as it is remember that there is light at the end so stick with it and stick together as a family and I am sure you will have a good Christmas
Emma x

Good move you.... the first Christmas might be tight, but the feeling of gaining control will be well worth it.... Sincerely hope it all works out for you, you've certainly selected a great team...

Martin