dispatches

[mole]

Despite the confusing case at the end I thought it was a useful programme in publicising the tactics of these companies. Anyone watching would be encouraged at the little power these companies have regardless of their scare tactics.

However it did try to make out that bankrupcy was the ultimate step and that no one should go there. Whilst this step should not be taken lightly, I think those on this board realise that in some circumstances it is the best option for the debtor.

Strangly, I found the tactics employed by the call centre not as bad as I thought. The training did talk about morals and ethics and codes of conduct and although isolated incidents (remember of 6 weeks) didn't look great, I realise these people have a jo to do.
Its all about knowledge and eductaion, these people have the upper hand as they generally know the subject matter better than the debtor. If we can educate the public more is would dispose the 'power' position of these companies and that is what this programme has helped acheive.

[size5]

Going to try and catch up via the V+ this evening if I can, but it is Mrs S's birthday tomorrow so I suppose I should go out and get her a present first really....

Regards.

[mole]

Hi Mike, you can watch anytime for free on the channel 4 website using their On Demand player.

[size5]

Thanks for that. I would take a sneaky peek now if I could, but I don't have a sound card on this PC, which is probably a good thing in the long run given my penchant for the cricket, golf, rugby, football, synchronised swimming, tiddlywinks etc.......

Regards.

[Michael Peoples]

I missed Dispatches myself but must remember to watch or record it tomorrow night. I forgot about it as I was watching the mighty Real Madrid being given a run for their money by Shamrock Rovers. Ronaldo certainly did not look like an £80 million pound player.

[Octavia]

It was a REAL eye-opener and no mistake!!! That obnoxious, cocky, idiot Mark is a disgrace to humankind. Obviously they have jobs to do but the methods he employs are completely unacceptable; I actually felt physically sick.

I had the misfortune of encountering people just like this from the infamous Mercers; the aggressiveness and threatening calls were horrendous - an experience I would not want to repeat.

I can say hand on heart that if I had absolutely no choice but to do a job such as this, I would remain polite and understanding. People such as this "Mark" obvioulsy possess large sadistic streaks and actually ENJOY frightening people.

Certainly not easy viewing but I think everyone who has had or is having financial problems should watch it and realise that as "Mark" said - it's all "pantomime" and REFUSE to be intimidated!

[janderson]

Hi All

I saw the programme, it was something of an eye opener. I am disgusted by the attitude of people like Mark and others on the programme who have nothing but contempt for people like ourselves who have got into difficulties. They lie, cheat and con their way to getting more info out of debtors to be able to intimidate more money out of them. it is a glorified version of "Demanding money with menacies"

It would be helpful if they where covered by the FOI so we could find out what they paid for these debts from the banks and finance companies. It would show how much they bleed us for.

The shamful thing is I feel that nothing will change as we have so called watchdog bodies who do nothing to sort these companites out, example the 1st credit pice in the show.

I will go now before I get so wound up that I will have to collect some bricks to throw through their windows.

Thanks for all your support


John

[johnnybriggs]

I thought the OFT took some pretty stern action against 1st Credit this year.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2009/20-09

In fact there have been a couple of good rulings recently and not before time. I remember reading about these guys on here (?) a couple of years ago.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2009/85-09

[quark2008]

I go with Octavia and Johnnybriggs, Marlin's behaviour in all is quite disgusting and has left me feeling rather angry after watching the program. I'm very upset for anybody that has been on the receiving end of their tactics, and hope to god that anyone who find themselves dealing with debt collection agencies, do so with confidence in believing that what they are being threatened with are complete lies.I do not believe in frightening people half to death in order to gain a forward path. Debt is enormous business, mahoosive. There are people who avoid debt, a minority, and there are people who have gotten so deep through sheer fear, what they need is a ladder up, not the rope to hang themselves with as Mark stated.Apart from receiving monies, what is the point in destroying people, making them bankrupt, threatening them with court action, um ok, pay this now and we stop action, you do so, and that money you pay includes maybe the gas, electric, whatever for that month, and bingo you are still in the mire, it just makes things so much worse.The program has made me feel much less er scared, remember debt is business, business is greedy, greedy makes you burst. I so hope that Marlin goes under by the sheer weight of it's greedy ugliness, i hope each and every one of it's employees has the opportunity to be on the receiving end for a while. And i hope that everyone out there stays positive and takes what the majority of debt agencies spout with a pinch of salt, take control, do not fear debt and find a way forward before they get the cancerous talons into you, absolutely disgusted i am

[janderson]

Hi

I am not convinced action taken is to the degree required, these toothless watchdogs acive nothing. I feel they are hand in glove with the sector anyway. Recent debacles with the banks show this to be the case. We need a body that will take tough action not make reccomendations and polite suggestions to thugs and bullies.

John

[kallis3]

It will be like everything else though - you may get rid of one or two dubious companies, but three more will spring up in their place, and if people don't know their rights the debt collectors will win every time.

Loan sharks are outlawed - I'll bet you can still find a fair few of them about! Bully boy debt collectors will be the same.

[tamzin]

Hi
Had to go to bed early last night as up early for work so couldnt join in the discussion
The debt collector stuff was relly disturbing and really feel angry that some people will believe these vile creatures and give what they cant afford. On a personal note i would happily say to any one who threatened to make me bankrupt please do - you will get nothing - i will not have to pay £41,000 and will also save us £1000 applying for BR.
That was until i saw the couple at the end
Until now thanks to this forum i have been quite at ease with the idea that i will try and pay what i can afford in an iva if this is not agreed i would go bankrupt. If the creditors dont want anything then so be it
The couple at the end seemed to show life comes to an end once you are bankrupt - they were still in dire straits and couldnt pay gas , water etc
Can some one put my mind at rest please?
[xx(]

[kallis3]

Life doesn't come to an end after bankruptcy, as several of our posters on here will tell you. Quite the opposite - for them life has begun.

You debts will be written off immediately, and only if you have disposable income of £100 or above after your priority payments have been made, will you have to pay anything across.

[Skippy]

I couldn't work out whether the couple at the end were bankrupt or still to go bankrupt.

Life doesn't come to an end after BR, for many people (myself included) it's a fresh start. If have gone bankrupt and still aren't paying their bills there is something very wrong. I found that when I went BR I obviously wasn't rolling in money, but I was comfortable.

I think the programme could have explained more about the couple so we could understand their circumstances better, rather than scare mongering.

[tamzin]

Thanks Kallis
Knew that was probably the case
It was really misleading tho and seemed to show that bankruptcy left you with nothing ang and still unable to manage

xx