Just had DMC ringing me telling me NOT to go with CCCS.....

MrsTinks

tyllwyd wrote: »

Haven't I seen posts on the boards from people saying that CCCS wouldn't accept them for a DMP because they had no disposable income to offer creditors, or have I got that wrong? If I'm right, it isn't fair to criticise a DMC for saying the same thing.

Having a negative income is a very difficult thing to deal with - but ultimately CCCS etc can't help you if you have a negative income - how could they if even by paying £1 a month to each creditor you are STILL getting deeper in debt?

The only advise in my mind at this point would be to find a way of upping income, selling something if possible like house/car or going bankrupt - but even as a bankrupt you HAVE to have money to pay for basics like food, shelter and so on. There is always a way if you are willing - it's hard to comment on cases on here as you don't always get 100% of the story of why CCCS etc have adviced someone that they are unable to help them...

RakarthIX

MrsTine wrote: »

Having a negative income is a very difficult thing to deal with - but ultimately CCCS etc can't help you if you have a negative income - how could they if even by paying £1 a month to each creditor you are STILL getting deeper in debt?

The only advise in my mind at this point would be to find a way of upping income, selling something if possible like house/car or going bankrupt - but even as a bankrupt you HAVE to have money to pay for basics like food, shelter and so on. There is always a way if you are willing - it's hard to comment on cases on here as you don't always get 100% of the story of why CCCS etc have adviced someone that they are unable to help them...

Yeah being in a position where you are spending more than you earn, even before taking into account creditors must be horrendous. It usually boils down to one of three things either the person has had to take a job with a lower salary (for a number of different reasons including divorce/redundancy/death etc.), the person is purely living beyond their means in which case it is more a case of educating that person on better spending habits and making the most of their money or kids who obviously change the whole balance of where your money goes

coolcait

MrsTine wrote: »

Having a negative income is a very difficult thing to deal with - but ultimately CCCS etc can't help you if you have a negative income - how could they if even by paying £1 a month to each creditor you are STILL getting deeper in debt?

The only advise in my mind at this point would be to find a way of upping income, selling something if possible like house/car or going bankrupt - but even as a bankrupt you HAVE to have money to pay for basics like food, shelter and so on. There is always a way if you are willing - it's hard to comment on cases on here as you don't always get 100% of the story of why CCCS etc have adviced someone that they are unable to help them...

I'm finding this a fascinating thread. It offers a "seen from both sides" point of view on DMCs and voluntary organisations.

I've chosen to quote your post, MrsTine, because of your last sentence, which I think sums up the reality of internet forums (and indeed real life). But I'm not addressing you specifically. We don't always get 100% of the story of why CCCS/CAB/DMC/next door neighbour advised a certain course of action. In fact, it could be argued that we never get 100% of any story; we get what the person remembers, is willing to share, thinks is relevant and so on.

In general terms, I do tend to agree with the idea that people who are using a DMC, and are happy with it, are unlikely to visit a forum like this. Anyone who has enough disposable income to maintain the payments, have a reasonable standard of living, and not be pestered by creditors probably feels that they've got their debt problem sorted. It might not be the option I'd go for, but that goes for a lot of other things in life!

I feel a lot of sympathy with the idea that it wouldn't hurt to be more specific in expressing ourselves.

"I've never heard a positive comment about DMCs from anyone who has used them" is actually different from "All DMCs are bad".

Just as "I've never had a man in my life who is decent" is very different from "all men are !!!!!!!s" - and I've made that point many a time to many a friend (most of the men I've had in my life have been decent - they've annoyed me more times than I could count, but that doesn't make them '!!!!!!!s'. But that's a whole different discussion )

Just a few thoughts. If I knew how you go about girding your loins, I would probably do so at this point...