Can anyone give a personal recommendation on which company to use for an IVA ?

[Shining]

I'm with Melanie Giles and coming to the end of my journey, never a problem with their communication. Always helpful and 100% dedicated to both you and the creditor ensuring allowances are realistic whilst realising the best return for the creditor.

[orchid5]

Hi charlotte and welcome to the forum, as many of the others have said, have a browse through the forum and you will see those that perhaps you should think about and those that come very highly recommended, i'm at the end of my journey now just playing the waiting game but if was to have that time over again i would certainly be approaching Melanie and her team. Good luck with whomever you choose to go with. xxx

[in-a-mess-indeed]

Echo all others really Charlotte, do the research its a 5/6 year plan and you need to be comfortable and have an approchable IP if difficluties arrise or questions you may have good luck...

[carpet_toaster]

Hi Charlotte,

I didn't understand we couldn't say who we would avoid, so i'll not go into that one.

With who to recommend though. - I'm a just a few weeks into my IVA journey, I contacted Vincent Bond to start off with, who have been brilliant, and were happy to talk about any of the options I wanted to discuss.

One really cool thing about VB amongst many other good things, is that you're a name, and not a number. - I really like that, - i've never had to quote a reference number when i've called them.

I'm being passed to Melanie as my IP. - Melanie is great too, although we've not spoken directly yet, as my paperwork is still in the process of being put together and handed to Melanie, she has been really helpful in answering any questions on the forum and replying to my posts, even before it had been decided which IP I would be going to. Lots of people are raving about Melanie, so be sure to have a chat with her too.

One last bit of advice, - whoever you go with, - do some extensive research looking at reviews. - Especially reviews from people who have completed their process and not just starting out. - I've checked out all of VB's and Melanies Reviews, and I really do believe i'm with the best team possible, - but like everybody says, - feel free to call several companies that are recommended and see for yourself....

[in-a-mess-indeed]

Great Advise Carpet, you are with a Fab team there just look at all the post that give high feedabck for Mels team and her time she gives up to help with advise, Vincent Bond staff were magic for me to, my first call was late at night with Andy and he is fantastic.

[Shining]

being with Melanie I confirm you're also a name not a number. To creditors in the run up to the IVA acceptance they wouldn't accept this so I used to make a number up just to keep them quiet!

[peterh]

I have just started on the IVA route and await creditors meeting next step.

I did a lot of research beforehand as I needed help and this took me months to take the plunge.

It should be up to you who you choose through review sites and comments on all sites you can find. Don't forget this is your Journey, so you want to feel comfortable.

I chose Melanie Giles in the end and i have to say since first contact in November to actually spekaing to Mel in January, it has been great. I had to provide all my paper work, which is obvious, but they really do work hard and there is not much you have to do whilst it is all in preparation.

I took this decision by all the positive reviews and found this forum and felt at ease to the fact that Mel is always on the forum answering questions and gave me a sense of she will be there if anything did go wrong

Good luck with who you choose... But I would suggest reading IVA.co.uk reviews and all other websites, and take a look at postings in here, they tend to give you an idea of which companies to avoid and who is helpful.

[Shining]

excellent post PeterH, from one starting out on their journey.

[relieved33]

I would personally recommend that you phone a few and get a feeling for a company that you feel that you'll have a good relationship with - 5 years is a long time!

We are with cleardebt and I would recommend them without hesitation. They have been fantastic for us with payment reductions and breaks and annual reviews etc. We have a child who plays a sport at a high level and they secured allowances for that for us too. I know that there have been some nagative comments on here regarding PPI claims and I understand the frustrations but believe these to be bad timing issues. We are going through the PPI thing at the moment and trust it will be cleared in 18 months when our final payment is made.

One size will never fit all when it comes to something as personal as finances and I am sure there are good and bad experiences for all IPs.

Another thing is to read through some of the blogs to get peoples personal stories behind the ones on here as posts.

Good luck!