CAB Independent Advice...NOT!

1313

royboy1 wrote:

I'll say it again.

90% of the workforce are volunteers doing it for nothing. As one of them I find the petty carping and false questioning of impartiality and integrity deeply insulting.

If I recieve a booklet from a CAB that is sponsored by the banks, then I believe this should be questioned.

When I asked my questions there was no insult intended, I just wanted to know some facts.

1313

Fran wrote:

The actual advice will be within the limitations set by Citizens Advice, but no-one has criticised the actual advice given have they? (Except for the "contact us not being clear").

I have never questioned the advice. But the two booklets are not impartial. I have actually scanned the covers, is there a way of posting them as an image?

bobandliz

I would assume the CAB write the literature but that the cost is covered by the sponsor. I doubt very much that the CAB would allow a sponsor to choose the contents. Content should be in line with what the CAB recommend. No lottery as far as I can see.
Cannot really knock the CAB. They make money to cover their expenses and charge nothing for their services.

royboy1

Below is the link to the Lloyds booklet " Help with Financial Problems" I've not read it yet so can't comment on its contents.
1313 no insult was taken from your comments. I am merely interested to know if you received sound advice on your 2 visits to CAB's?


http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:qstvV47Y_BAJ:www.lloydstsb.com/media/lloydstsb2004/pdfs/M52459-0605.pdf+lloyds+bank++%22help+with+financial+problems%22&hl=en

Turning_into_scrooge

1313 wrote:

If I recieve a booklet from a CAB that is sponsored by the banks, then I believe this should be questioned.

When I asked my questions there was no insult intended, I just wanted to know some facts.

I haven't used CAB for my debts i use CCCS but when i informed my creditors i had financial problems nearly all of them sent me a booklet out which said to contact either CCCS, National Debt Line or CAB. Most financial institutions wont entertain debt management or consolidation from a fee paying company that is why they work alongside CAB, CCCS and NDL. The advise given in the booklet has to be in the best interests of the reader, don't forget the guidlines set down state that company's now have to help those in debt not penalise them as they used to do. I would certainly question who you are supposed to contact if the booklet is not clear as this may need a re print or at least pointing out by a cab advisor to those it is given to

ceegee

For goodness sake........what does it matter where the advice comes from, as long as it is sound advice? The very fact that such help is freely available from the CAB, both orally and by means of booklets is something one should be grateful for. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" comes to mind.

Fran

I thought that the booklets were CAB produced and only sponsored by the banks, but looking at the Lloyds booklet it is clearly their production.

Were these books offered because you bank with those banks? Did you pick them up or did an advisor give them to you? If you were given the booklets without them being your bank then I think this is wrong of CAB and you should contact the manager of the bureau about it with a complaint. CAB are supposed to be impartial and handing out booklets from any one particular bank isn't impartial. As each bureau is managed independently you'd have to put in a complaint to both managers where you got the booklets.

VenuS

ceegee wrote:

For goodness sake........what does it matter where the advice comes from, as long as it is sound advice? The very fact that such help is freely available from the CAB, both orally and by means of booklets is something one should be grateful for. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" comes to mind.

I think not knowing the facts, the OP could be having a hard time with the banks, and wanting independent advice he goes to to CAB. Being given a booklet by said bank your having problems with, isn't exactly independent is it? It would certainly put me off.

OP states, the booklets gave him no "sound advice" and left him standing as to what it means by "contact us" ... who is us? the bank he's having problems with? the bank he can't talk to so he turns to the CAB? ... get my point?

Just because the CAB is a charity, doesn't mean they can act in-sensitive on these issues. I mean, you wouldn't see bob geldof handing out "feed the world" booklets sponsored by Mcdonalds.

IN_LIKE_EVERYONE_ELSE!

What is the difference between sponsorship and donations?

1313

ceegee wrote:

For goodness sake........what does it matter where the advice comes from, as long as it is sound advice? The very fact that such help is freely available from the CAB, both orally and by means of booklets is something one should be grateful for. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" comes to mind.

But it does matter so very much. The advice, the literature and the whole package has to be impartial. It also has to be 100% for the good of the client!