Thats fine and thank you for your reply.
We always advise people to take up problems with the IP first as that is what should be done, and as you say reputable IVA compnaies will sort the problems out. I have to point out however that unfortunately 95% of the time this does not happen, and you can understand why the person in debt gets frustrated. It's the same for us with our customers who have IVA's.
I have yet to hear of a case where an IP has missold an IVA. Perhaps I am wrong and there are a number of instances whereby people have received compensation for the poor advice given by IPs. The letters say that the IVAs 'may' have been missold which implies that some have been in the past. This frightens people and if no case has ever been proven of misselling against an IP firm then these letters need rewording or banned altogether.
People are aware of misselling as a result of the pension scandals, endowments, payment protection etc. In all these cases clients have received compensation and people have been fined and lost licences. I want to know how many IPs have been found guilty of misselling.
It would be interesting to know. I imagine that 95% of the companies will sort things out, otherwise we would all be going under. There would be no point in steering someone towards a DMP if it were going to take years, and bankruptcy can be done by the individual without resorting to paying money to a company on top of the court fees.
I'm not happy with 'cold calling' whether it be on the phone or via the post.
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 appreciate the points you make Shrewsbury ... but isn't it a bit like a funeral directors reading the obits and then sending out material for funeral plans to the recently deceased.
They might be good funeral directors and be, in every way, respectable .... but the marketing leaves a lot to be desired.
Cart, horse ... horse, cart .....
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
I note on your website shrewsbury that it says that an IP needs to go to court and take out an interim order and tell the court that an IVA may be a solution.
As far as I am aware the only reason that an interim order is applied for is if a creditor has already started proceedings against you. Otherwise it is not necessary and certainly didn't happen in my case.
I'm sure one of the experts will be along and I do stand to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.
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 appreciate the points, but as far as I'm concerned mail shots like this should be banned - they pray on vulnerable people as they are made to sound as though the companies sending them out actually know about the person's circumstances, whereas they have no idea. One of these companies actually wrote to me to suggest I remortgage my house to clear my IVA - at the time I was BR, and even better, I don't own a house!
The sooner the register is taken from public view to prevent the mailing equivalent of cold calling the better.
Had two more *marketing* phone calls this afternoon-they barely got a chance to say who they were before i hung up.
Having only had my iva a few months i still remember the fear of picking up the phone or receiving letters and now its starting all over again-this time with companies who believe they can call themselves respectable because they have nice headed notepaper!!!
I doubt they would hound a member of their family or friends if they knew the stress of being in debt and the relentless pressure of it.
The relief and joy i felt 4 months ago is now being undermined by companies who think they can pluck my name and address off a register and tell me i may have done this wrong and should listen to them!!I am not a name and number!!
I couldnt care less who they are registered with and what letters they have after their name-LEAVE US IN PEACE.
Oh and by the way i have told my iva company and they are now going to speak to these leeches on my behalf!See if theyre still friendly then!!
full and final accepted January 2015
iva agreed; August 2010
iva would have completed; August 2017
extra year thank's to NRAM
Hi
It is always an interesting subject and if it can be debated whilst keeping to the forum ethos then great.
There is no doubt that there may be some people who are in IVAs who would be better going down the bankruptcy route, our friends at NEDCAB would whole heartedly agree with this. There is also a need and market for bankruptcy assist companies because some people just can't face or don't want to face filling out forms and attending court without help.
The problem has been caused by companies such as the defunct IVA Council who sent out a mail shot a few years back advising people in IVAs to stop paying them !! and other companies who have given poor advice and information. This is probably no differemnt to the DMP market where we have real poor advice given by some companies.
I agree with Skippy in that the insolvency register should be abolished, bankruptcy assist companies can find business by advertising, word of mouth and by having a good reputation
Regards
Please don't let them get to you Andrea. You could always have some fun with them - lead them on and waste their time the way they are wasting yours. I've done that and get a warped satisfaction from it!
Youre right Skippy-just got a bit peeved today because the first call i was in the loo and the second in the bath-will try and play with them tomorrow if they start again!!!!!
Anyway they may leave me alone if i speak to them because im pretty sure they wont give up till they get a *No* from me!!
full and final accepted January 2015
iva agreed; August 2010
iva would have completed; August 2017
extra year thank's to NRAM
I guess we are all entitled to our opinion and shrew might be right that they are a reputable company with a good record but they are still resorting to cold calling and thats what we are complaining about. Its no different than the phone calls or knocks on the door which none of us answer. Well I certainly don't. But because this is such a massively sensitive subject we don't want our details spread around the country on different databases without our prior consent.
As Andy and Skip have said, the register should be abolished or made available to purchase much like the electrol roll.
I spoke to jefferson hobbs after hubby received letters from them. If the service they offer is so open and above board, why are the letters they send out so sparce of detail?
When I phoned, the chap said he could help my hubby as he had been misold IVA...now how in earth can someone who doesn't know the full details make such a claim?
These people mailshot from the insolvency register without any thought or knowledge of the individuals. Unfortunately for the chap I spoke to, he met more than his match with me!
Yes Karin, during the conversation the chap said hubby HAD been misold the IVA, of course I challenged this to the hilt. I wish I could have recorded the call, I did invite him to get a more senior person to call me back, needless to say they didn't!
I can understand some IVA's do not work out and believe me I have first hand knowledge. That's why I am so adamant IVA's need to be set up properly, so the debtor repays what they can and the creditors receive as much as possible.
Skippy: that was probably from a company who no longer trade or had their license removed. We do not rely solely on the register as those in the know and work in the industry will tell you that its never far from accurate.
However we provide a service that comes highly recommended and the letters do not break the law in any way shape or form. Because of our good reputation people realise that what we do helps people whether that be provide or bankruptcy which we also provide help with.
Last edited by shrewsburydebt on Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
