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Niobe
Administrator
United Kingdom
4590 Posts |
 Posted - 10 October 2009 : 10:10:28
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Having met both Paul Johns and Melanie Giles, these are both professional people, would not give bad advice and do go the extra mile for their clients so all BR assist firms shouldn't be tarred with the same brush.
Some of the others though are very questionable though, and have posted on here in the past.
The glimmer gets brighter all the time
Jan
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Reviva UK
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2452 Posts |
Posted - 10 October 2009 : 16:00:41
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Hi
I would completely agree that £3000 for a letter is absurd.
Unfortunately in every walk of life there are people that in hindsight ought to know better - this includes solicitors, business leaders, -politicians, bankers ( need I say more! ) and folk who offer support services.
I am pleased to say that Jones Giles are probably the highest regarded IVA company in the UK and Melanie Giles was on the shortlist for best Insolvency Practitioner again last year. They are without reproach.
Everything that Reviva UK do is open to scruitny by the Official Receiver and we have never once had a fee challenged or questioned as being unreasonable and further because we post on this forum we are open to public scruitny on a daily basis.
Some people really need help and guidance while others need some free advice offline and other people prefer to struggle through the process researching everything themselves by using google and this Forum.
Like all things the proof of the pudding is in the eating. If you have not had a good experience it does not necessarily mean that every solicitor is crooked, every banker is a thief or every bankruptcy assistance company useless.
Paul Johns
Bankruptcy Specialists
Reviva UK
www.revivauk.com
Real People ..... Real Debt Solutions |
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Melanie.n
forum expert
United Kingdom
1282 Posts |
Posted - 10 October 2009 : 18:14:17
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I am sorry to hear that you feel you have had such a hard time with the OR's Examiner - there is a simple way to deal with this, Ring the OR's office and ask to speak to the Assistant Official Receiver 'Vetting' (basically this is a person in charge of the 'Vetting' examiners - the examiners who deal with new cases interviews) explain your concerns to him and ask that someone else be appointed to carry out the vetting process on your files - this is not an unusual request, and you have nothing to lose by asking. It is important that you feel that you are being dealt with professionally and with courtesy, it is a very stressful time and important that you have faith in who is dealing with you. Sadly like all organisations you get the odd bad apple, but on the whole the staff are very good and trained to a very high standard.
If you are not happy put a complaint forward perhpas this person needs a little more training and having pointed out to them that they are not doing thier job properly - and that is the assistant Official receivers role so speak to them
Melanie Nicholas
28 years insolvency experience - 23 of which in the Insolvency Service
- Insolvency Manager
Jones Giles
email me at melanienicholas@jonesgiles.co.uk
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Daniel Griffiths
Junior Member
United Kingdom
268 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 11:08:28
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| Very interesting topic, I have never heard of Frazer & Frazer also, however I have emailed them to make them aware they are mentioned on this forum in a less than positive light, any company named and shamed should be given the right of reply. Interesting also that some forum experts believe that 99% of "Bankruptcy Assist" Companies are out for themselves except of course their "Bankruptcy Assist Company friends who regulary post on here, there is a lot of backscratching on this forum and there,s nothing wrong with that, its free marketing. It does become a problem when along comes Jane to tell us about a forum expert charging £3000 for a needless letter to the OR, having been in this industry many years I cannot think as to how anyone could charge such an outrageous fee for ten minutes work. However and this is to Jane it is unfair that unless you tell us more about this expert it is unfair that suspicion will be cast on all the experts some of which are invaluable to this forum. |
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Jane.l
Average Member
511 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 12:02:48
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I do not know who this expert is, I only know they either post here now or did in the past, I would name them if I knew who they were, as I do feel they should be able to reply to this accusation.
ETA: I just want people to be aware that this does seem to happen and to be wary, I know that when in debt, people are desperate and vulnerable, do not be taken in is my message.
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Edited by - Jane.l on 11 October 2009 12:05:49 |
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debtinfo
forum expert
2826 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 12:06:11
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| An interesting topic indeed,my view is that very few people need a bankruptcy assist service but there can be occasions where it can be essential especially where sometimes bankruptcy proceedings can have unanticipated concequences for related parties to the bankrupt. I think it is very brave of the the companies to post on these boards because there are always people who might feel agrieved with their situation regardless of wether the help they received was correct or not. Also there are always some people like to cause trouble just for the hell of it and as i said to put your reputation open to public scrutiny is a brave thing to do |
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Reviva UK
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2452 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 14:27:30
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As with all areas of the commercial world different people offer different levels of service for different fees.
The service we offer is part insolvency suupport and expertese, but also part personal support , business management and emotional support.
I believe that the companies that just offer a form filling service are limiting their support.
We often find that we work woth someone prior to Br preparing everything , preparing forms, attending court and OR etc, but more and more we are finding that there is a requirement for ongoing support through the period of Br ( Beneficial Interest negotiations, issues with employers and landlords, issues around starting a business etc etc ) .
Most of our clients have a very open and close relationship for around 18 months until they are discharged and beyond.
Infact this year alone our consultants have been invited to 4 weddings, 3 christenings, helped clients move house on 7 occasions etc etc ( thankfully no funerals yet ).
It would be good to identify the £3k letter provider and understand what taht was all about.
Paul Johns
Bankruptcy Specialists
Reviva UK
www.revivauk.com
Real People ..... Real Debt Solutions |
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charlie44
Junior Member
231 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 15:12:57
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| To clear this matter up I think you need to name the person involved, otherwise people who are finding this site for the first time are going to be put off by this comment. I have only had dealings with Jones Giles and can only comment on their service, which I have to say has been excellent. All the advice I have been given has been free, with the offer any more help I need there for the asking. I find this site to be invaluable with the help of the experts and other posters alike, and without it I still would be in a total mess, not knowing which way to turn. |
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Niobe
Administrator
United Kingdom
4590 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 15:21:15
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If Jane doesn't know who it is, then she can't tell us.
There are a lot of experts, both professional and forum experts, who have posted on here in the past so could be any one of them.
I will still stay that Reviva and Jones Giles have excellent reputations and would not be charging that amount of money.
The glimmer gets brighter all the time
Jan
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mrss
New Member
United Kingdom
71 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 18:36:58
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Once again, I do agree with Kallis, Jane has stated she does not know the company involved, therefore there is no point in people keep asking.
I (when I first started my br journey) spoke to Paul, and there was never any pressure from him and he would always make himself available at any time (especially those who are in need of urgent help or advice). I cannot comment on Jones Giles, however I have heard nothing but praise for the whole team. |
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Housing
Senior Member
United Kingdom
1399 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 19:30:59
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I have been reading all the postings on this subject.
I have done my BR myself and at times that has been difficult and i had thought of seeking assistance, but in the event, have not done so.
I have exchanged a few emails with Melanie and Paul off the forum sight and I have to say they have been very helpful and if I did need any assistance with regards to my "final stages" of BR, I woulod not hesitate to use either if them professionally.
It was right that this firm that have been mentioned have been sent an email to "defend" their position.
I have been in the commercial world for much of my life and have seen some bad practices from my competitors.
I think we all wish silkpaws well in getting through her BR and if the OR assistant has not been professional then that should be addressed by her (or on her behalf maybe)
I will be interested to see what, (if any) response F & F make - I have looked at their website, but like others, have not heard of them
Good luck silkpaws, Richard
"There are no problems - only solutions..." |
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Skippy
forum expert
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 11 October 2009 : 20:51:14
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I can only speak as I find, and Paul Johns and Jones Giles are highly reputable companies, and Paul and Melanie are both honest, approachable people.
However, I do know that there are many BR assist companies out there who charge extortionate fees and give questionable advice. Some of what I have heard is barely legal.
Unfortunately they give the genuine companies a bad name - as usual we here about poor service, and never the good.
Tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history, today is the present, a gift to make the most of.
View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.bankruptcyhelp.org.uk/
27 IPA payments made, 9 to go - in single figures! |
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silkpaws
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 09 June 2010 : 11:51:53
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I took your advice and contacted Paul Johns who was very helpful.Paul helped me with putting a proper SOA in place with this OR who I did complain about and got no proper answer on this or someone else to deal with my case instead .On Pauls advice new SOA sent the OR finally came back with an answer about the IPA and said they were not going to pursue this at this time unless my circumstances change.The case then was to be referred to this Liquidation Unit about the house ,that was back in the beginning of December.It is now June and they have only just sent a letter about the House saying their information is out of date...I am not suprised as the valuations were done when the OR asked for them back in August 09, do they always take this long or is someone hoping to make me homeless along with my family? What now????
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RHB
Senior Member
1159 Posts |
Posted - 09 June 2010 : 14:20:44
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| I would get another couple of valuations done. Do you think there is equity in your house? There is a 3 year time slot for the OR to deal with the house remember. |
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silkpaws
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 09 June 2010 : 18:12:05
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Have no equity in the house and a big penalty on mortgage as on fixed rate for 10+ years.The house prices here are not that good they have only risen slightly as its that time of year when if you want to get out of here nows the time to try.We did not buy the house to make a big profit it was just to provide a roof over our heads as we both were divorced people with nothing but a couple of bags to our name.Our previous partners took everything ,we have three boys to provide for ,the eldest is from my previous partner he was abused by my ex physically mentally and verbally.We have tried to give him a stable home in which we are now seeing the results of this now .
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Friendly ?
