Problems with L&C?

[Deleted User]

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone here has contacted L&C (of mortgage guide fame) recently? I called them on Sunday and they said they'd get back to me, I've heard nothing since, despite calling again and asking for someone to get in touch again last night. Is it usual for them to take a while to get in touch?

I'm after a mortgage ASAP, hence the twitchy nerves!

Thanks in advance!

A-MS

martin1018

Oh dear,

As the person who pointed you in their direction i feel bad!

I'm sure they will be OK, as I said I was impressed with them, (No I don't work for them - honest!!) and if MSE Martin rates them they must be good.

I hope they get back to you soon, why not ring them and see what the hold-up is - there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Best wishes.

[Deleted User]

Oh, don't feel bad! I'm just feeling a bit impatient!
I was also considering approaching a lender direct from the top of the list on Moneysupermarket. Pretty much, if I can overpay and it has no redeption charge, I'm interested! I'll phone L&C again tonight, and give it til Friday before I strike out alone. Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!

Cheers!

Shunter64

I have just arranged a remortgage through L & C and can't speak highly enough of them. They are quick, thorough and very helpful. Perhaps they were just having a bad day. Worth waiting for in my opinion. Good luck.

[Deleted User]

I hope they are quick! I need money! haha

MortgageMamma

Ah the L & C appreciation society speaks again....yawn

there are other mortgage brokers out there that are just as good if not better you know....

Perhaps its time MSE Martin checked out the small and friendly firms that bust a gut to help clients, L & C will be monopolising the mortgage advice market before long.

I would recommend that you approach a local broker, who you can sit down and who will talk plainly with you face to face, you can't beat the personal touch as it is a rareity in this day and age.

Ian_W

Hey mortgagemamma,
Tut, tut, no need to be quite so catty just cos things aren't going to plan business-wise. If you actually read what Martin says ...

"There are many great local, small, fees-free, whole-of-market brokers in the UK. Find one in the phone book, give them a call, asking the questions and then going face to face that way.
Obviously it's impossible for me to review every one of them, so I've concentrated on the four predominant UK-wide mortgage brokers; Charcol, Savills, Chase de Vere Mortgages and London & Country."

you'll see his views are very positive about local brokers. Full article is HERE.

MortgageMamma

Things are fine business wise, I didn't expect any different at this stage, its just I'm sick to death of seeing L & C painted in bright lights. I've not been on the site very long, but I've not heard anyone post on moneyquest, who have recently won awards for the online service, charcoals who are equally as good and well established, readers need to know there is more to quality mortgage advice than l &c and I thought its a good time to mention!

I'd like to see feedback from people on what they think of other brokers, big medium and small, but it's not often I see feedback at all, perhaps this is a topic for another thread though.

Another thing I've not seen discussed and forgive me if this has been covered is muslim mortgages. As a newly qualified advisor any industry experience with these would be interesting as I have never come across one, and they are barely covered in Cemap.

dunstonh

Don't try an compete with the nationals on their terms. They will always win. Local brokers can offer a great service that the nationals cannot get close to offering. Sure, it may not be as cheap but don't be fooled by the perception that people want cheap. They want value for money and quality. This forum often forgets that money saving doesnt mean cheapest possible. It is value for money that matters.

I could do life cover cheaper than Cavendish or investment bonds with higher allocations if I wanted to. However, I don't because I would not be able to survive either financially or with the paperwork. I wouldn't want to either. It would be boring as hell.

There are more than enough people to go around. Those that want to use the internet or go phone based are unlikely to ever use you so don't worry about it. Let the cheaper brokers take those. Concentrate on your locality and do the very best you can and you will end up living off word of mouth.

[Deleted User]

Well, just to update you, I'm not that impressed yet. I rang the 0800 number last night and was in a queue for 40 (yes, 40!) minutes before I hung up and phoned the 01255 number and passed round the houses before getting through to an adviser (who I got to phone me back as soon as they had my number). No apology or explanation as to why I had to chase them and the interview was a bit of hard work.

I may as well have been pressing buttons for an automated menu for all the flexibity offered in answering the questions (to contact the operator, please mash your forehad against the keypad now). For example -
"Do you want a discount or fixed mortgage?"
"Can you check both please?"
"But do you want a discount or fixed mortgage?"
"err...I'd like you to check both please"
"But do you want a discount or fixed mortgage?"
ad nauseum until "Fine, just check fixed, then!!!"
"But are you sure? [long explanation of what each entails which I am well aware of and they had explained earlier]" etc etc repeat from beginning for another 5 minutes

I was drained afterwards! I never had this problem with Moneysupermarket!
I will reserve judgement until they get back to me, but may end up going straight to a lender anyway, as they say "If you want a job doing properly..."

Thanks for your input, anyway! No blame apportioned but to L&C, if they've been great for other people, I believe it, but I don't think I'd particularly recommend them to anyone else just yet unless they produce some spectacular products for me tonight (if they actually get back to me this time, that is!)

dunstonh

as they say "If you want a job doing properly..."

... pay some a proper rate for doing it