Page 1 of 3

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:10 pm
by philip.c
I have just filled in the IVA Wizard and it recomends I use thomas Charles. Has any one here used them and if so Feedback would be helpful , good or bad or is there somone else anyone can recomend .

[?]

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:16 pm
by adam090376
Hi Philip C
I can fully recomend Thomas Charles. They helped to get my IVA through and were fully surportive at all times. If you go for an IVA you will have to pay them 2 months payments but I can say from personal experince it is worth it.
Adam

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:16 pm
by Adam Davies
Hi
This is a post from a forum member yesterday
Hope it helps

Destiny
New Member



3 Posts
Posted - 18 June 2007 : 14:59:46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi everyone, am a new member but have been using this site as point of reference in thinking about my IVA, during the process of setting it up and now whilst it is up and running! It has been invaluable.

I just wanted to say a big big thank you to Julia Simavi at Thomas Charles (worth every penny of the two extra payments) who reassured me every step of the way when I was at my wits end and also Charlene Kendall who works with Jane Finch at Accuma who was also very reassuring. Both organisations offered top class service and communication was excellent. There were never any unanswered phone calls or text messages which in this day and age is very much a rareity! I am now two payments in and although it's not an easy ride with two kids to clothe etc (especially when you have an 11 year old who seems to grow by 2 inches a day), my husband and I now have some light at the end of a very dark and gloomy tunnel.
For anyone who is reading this, yes the phone calls whilst you are going through the IVA set-up process are stressful but if you have caller ID like we had - just don't answer them if you don't recognise the number!!
Again, thank you very much to all at Thomas Charles and Accuma who helped us in this first stage of our journey to a debt-free life.


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

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:20 pm
by philip.c
Thanks Adam & Andy

Adam you mentioned two payments ? are these upfront as at the moment I have no savings please could you explain

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:47 pm
by adam090376
Philip
Basically you stop paying your creditors and use that money to pay Thomas Charles. I believe Thomas Charles offer a refund/or some money back for failed IVA's. Hope this makes sense. Please note that the creditors will start calling but Thomas Charles are happy to help you deal with this as well.
Adam

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:55 pm
by philip.c
Thanks Adam C , I can Imagine it would get hectic , I already have one chasing me several times a day , it seems a small price to pay to try to get sorted . Are there any other Fees and how much do they charge or is it down to what the IVA agreement is ? sorry for all the questions but I feel im standing on a cliff with the world on my shoulders with only oblivion below .

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:06 pm
by adam090376
Phillip
Try to relax, I know it is a really stressful time but like I was told there is always an answer to the problem. I know it is hard but if you chose to go down the IVA route you must stand firm and tell the creditors you are proposing an IVA and so you cant pay them. You will get nice calls and horrid calls but do not pay once you have committed to the IVA.
As for fees they are acording to the IVA proposal and you pay what Thomas Charles think the IVA monthly payment will be and no more. Please feel to ask as many questions as you want I did and continue to use this forum for answers. Philip I know it isnt easy but please try to relax. We have all been where you are now. You have taken the first steps by facing up to the problem and looking for a solution so you are already on the road to solving your problem. Any more questions please just ask.
Adam

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:14 pm
by philip.c
Thanks again Adam , how long did it take to set up your IVA ? it has really been hard to post on this site because I was so emmbarresd with myself for getting into this mess and I find it hard to talk about my privite life to anyone .

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:26 pm
by aguise
Hi Philip
Popped to say hello and welcome. No need to feel any embarrassment over your debts. You should be proud you are dealing with it now and soon you will have some relief, I am sure, there are millions in the same debt and much worse. We have all been there.
There is no set time for an iva, but the average is about 6 to 12 weeks. A lot depends on if there is property this can take a bit longer for valuations, and also on how long you take to get the info the company asks for. A good idea is to start getting stuff you might need together. Think of your income and expenditure, include everything down to the dentist and prescriptions if needed. Get creditor statements ready and make sure you include all your creditors, its easy to forget some. I got final balances on loans, just rang and asked how much if I wanted to pay it off early, all these things can help speed the process. We had what is classed as a joint iva though it is two seperate ones but they run together with one payment and from the first phone call to the accepted meeting was about 7 weeks.
All the best

Ang

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:27 pm
by finebridge
Hi Phillip,

Please don't be embarrassed, you and many others out there are in same situation, and we experts are here to help.

I’m glad you have plucked up the courage to post and you may find this will help someone else out there who has been felling the same as you!!

Please let us know how you get on.

Kind Regards

Nicola


Finebridge Ltd
22 Laud Street, Croydon, CR0 1SU
0800 180 4212
www.finebridge.co.uk

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:29 pm
by ivoriva
The majority of posters on here have been exactly where you are now Philip - so please dont feel embarrassed to post here.
I have only heard good things said about Thomas Charles so I would think you are in pretty safe hands right now. An IVA is normally setup in 6-12 weeks from the time you instruct someone to setup an IVA proposal.

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:39 pm
by adam090376
Phillip
As aguise said, Please dont feel emmbarresd afterall we are on this forum because like you we have/had debt problems. 6 - 12 weeks is the norm for an IVA. Phillip please feel to post on here as we all support each other. On another note Philip please dont keep your problem to yourself, If you have a partner/wife or family please tell them about it you will be amazed the support they offer. Just a question so the experts on this site can help you would you be prepared to tell us who your creditors are and how much you owe each one and what you think your dispoable income will be so they can advise you as to your options. Also do you own property? Any equity? If you dont want to share it then fine its just that the experts on here are so good and their advice is free.
Adam

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:05 pm
by philip.c
Egg loan £15000
Egg CC £1900
Lloyds TSB CC £6200
LLoyds TSB Over draft £ 975.00
MBNA CC £5200
RBS CC £900
Cap One £1000
Store cards & Cat £ 2000

these are aprox but it comes down to a figure of around £32000
I am also renting at the moment

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:11 pm
by adam090376
Hi Phillip
Can you tell us how much dispoable income you will have each month after you take away your essential living expenses, Rent, Council tax, Petrol, Food ETC Do not include any payments to your credit cards/loans or overdraft. Once you have taken this figure away from your wages this will give you your dispoable income. Remember to include everything you pay out for in the month so as to get as acurate a figure as possible.
Adam

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:20 pm
by philip.c
its quite Scarey really , as I have been using the CC to live on but all bills comes to about £900.00 Ex loans and CC payments