www.iva.co.uk

Hi guys this is my first post, I am looking into an iva, just wondered which is the best company to go with e.g which won't charge high charges to organise it. Thanks

I think all fees are fairly similar and what is more important than the fees is the service you will get. You will see a lady called Mel comments alot on posts, my advise is to get in touch with her everybody absolutely raves about her company and her as an IP. I didnt know of this site and didnt do much research before i took out my IVA so i am not with her myself and my company have been ok but i dont get anywhere near the personal service that she seems to give. Good luck i finish in Novemeber hopefully!!!

Thank you, yes I have been reading the forums and will give her company a ring now, just don't want to be forced into something I can't afford and I know what some of these companies can be like.

From what i have seen on here she wont do anything like that. She seems very understanding and is very big on making sure the payments are not set unrealistically setting you up to fail. My IVA is the best thing i ever did if you want to ask anything this forum is fantastic it has been my life line.

There's lots of free advice out there also and it pays to shop around. Try The Money Advice Service.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

Mels advice is free also but be careful about going with one of the 'charity' companies as there will still be fees linked to the IVA and you dont get the same service s they have so many to deal with. There are other great companies too, Vincent Bond has a very good reputation.

www.iva.com lists some companies, always take the advice of 2 or 3 and you'll know when you find someone you want to work with towards your journey to debt freedom.

Hi. As above I would have a chat with Mel and, even if it ends up that you go with Mel, speak to a couple of others to compare advice and see who you gel with.

I tried Stepchange first and they were very persistant.

What suits one might not suit another -- but I woudl avoid the larger "IVA factories"

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions that crop up.

Just to reiterate that most reputable IP firms provide their advice on a completely free of charge basis, but no IP firm provides free IVAs.

We'll be happy to speak with you stressedteacher, when you are ready to make the call.

Just clicked through the link Claire Silver has posted, not been on there for a while. If you type in IVA, you will see what MAS consider to be the criteria for an IVA. Interesting reading for a Government funded service.

For interesting reading, I actually mean complete twaddle. What chance has your average man in the street got when considering his options if this much heralded agency can get it so wrong?

Regards.

I came on here to ask this question, good luck on the start of your journey by the way.

I have had contact from Vincent Bond and have contacted Melanie Giles too. How do you compare or decide which company to use?

Hi and welcome stressedteacher, i would definately give Mel a bell and see how you go. Whatever you do, do not go with DFD, they don't give personal service and the after care is shocking, they are after profits and to be honest having read how they turned a company from having a negative profit to one with millions of pounds, it does bode questions. Good luck with whomever you choose. xxx

Thanks for your help everybody I have spoke with Andy Davie at Vincent Bond today and was very helpful. I have spoken to other debt management companies before who push you for a decision there and then and even want money for the first payment over the phone. I didn't feel pressurised at all today and felt like he understood what I was going through but not in a patronising way if that makes sense! I'm sure I will be back soon with more questions...

I am also very concerned about the comments on the MAS website - they are completely untrue and misleading, and I would hesitate to refer anyone to that as a point of reference.

If this is the government's main debt advisory service, then it clearly needs to be amended to reflect the real world. The trade body, of which I am a director, will be looking into this - and hopefully we can help MAS improve the quality of their information.

Its very daunting making that first step but you have a head start by finding this forum prior to commiting. You decide who to go with by gut instinct i think. We spoke to a couple of companys and the one we have gone with is the one we felt listened to us as people. Im not going to recommend or tell you who to go for as belueve its individual and all will have pros and cons. have you been on iva.com yet?? reviews all companys/IPs. Mel highly rated on here and its well worth giving her a bell but many others out there too who people have had successful ivas with. You will know who to go for when you speak to thrm and go through the process. good luck and keep posting