Warning - do not use wolstenholmes solicitors

wuckfit

From what I've gleaned on this thread, people used Wolstenholmes because they were substantially cheaper than everyone else?
I know this is a moneysaving site, but if you pay peanuts, expect monkeys.

The reason everyone else charges so much more is probably because it's a true reflection of the work involved.
If I see a range of goods or services and one is substantially cheaper, I'm immediately suspicious of the cheap one, rather than the expensive ones.
.

mjmal51

cakinwande wrote: »

Yea, I called it earlier and they said what it sound was "Holmes Solicitors..." hmmmmm! When I called I heard all the phones ringing off the hook

Yes, I was doubtful but they seem to be totally separate.
http://www.home-solicitors.co.uk/meet_our_solicitors.html

jumpexchange

wuckfit wrote: »

From what I've gleaned on this thread, people used Wolstenholmes because they were substantially cheaper than everyone else?
I know this is a moneysaving site, but if you pay peanuts, expect monkeys.

The reason everyone else charges so much more is probably because it's a true reflection of the work involved.
If I see a range of goods or services and one is substantially cheaper, I'm immediately suspicious of the cheap one, rather than the expensive ones.
.

True, but I didn't use them. Someone else in the chain used them. The only sensible thing to do in terms of solicitors is use a local firm whose door you can knock on when you need to, and preferably go with someone recommeded by someone who has used them recently. But, you cant control what others decide in your chain. This was our problem. We went local and with a recommendation. The whole system is ridiculous. People shouldn't be able to pull out this late on. And there should be an emergency solicitor service who can take over cases where they are breaking a chain. People should be able to complain about any solicitor, not just the one they use - we have no redress what so ever given we don't use them - though what that would be worth I don't know given they are ceasing trading. I don't know how people can sleep at night with the decisions they make that affect people like this?

leahpo

Hilary_Harrison wrote: »

Been there got the tee-shirt for a solicitors going into Administration.

As long as the partners were not stealing from the Client account all Client monies will be safe. It may take some time to get the monies from the Law Society but you will get it - eventually - after you have jumped through The LawSociety hoops!!

They haven't gone into administration they have been shut down for how they operate! They are a nightmare - any qith problems email your solicitor with a read receipt and delivery report copying in [EMAIL="imran.hussain@wolstenholmes.co.uk"]imran.hussain@wolstenholmes.co.uk[/EMAIL] - your soliciotrs email will be [EMAIL="firstname.lastname@wolstenholmes.co.uk"]firstname.lastname@wolstenholmes.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Good luck everyone - i have had the same problems

GWall

cakinwande wrote: »

Yea, I called it earlier and they said what it sound was "Holmes Solicitors..." hmmmmm! When I called I heard all the phones ringing off the hook

All,

I am the CEO of Home Solicitors.

At Home Solicitors we are having the day from hell. So far, we have received over 200 calls from people about Wolstenholmes.

I appreciate that 'Wolstenholmes' and 'Home' could be mistaken, but please speak to the law society - check us out there - read up on the Solicitors of the firm (Daniella is a fine Solicitor who works for us, not Wolstenholmes).
Also, review the internet - look for reviews about us - we don't carefully hide anything - if someone raises an issue (and it does happen to the best of us) then we deal with it promptly.

I have spoken to the Law Society this morning about Wolstenholmes who informed us that they have been directing people to the complaints team and they said they had received a 'significant' number of calls.

I genuinely hope you all get the right result out of all of this. I understand completely that buying (or selling) a home is an emotional drain and the last thing you need is for things to go wrong.

I am sorry but I cannot respond to posts on here (busy law firm to run and all that) but if anyone has any further questions then despite the drain on our resources, if you need to ring, please call 0161 728 7620

Regards.

Gavin Wall

saverextraordinaire

I am a first time buyer struggling to exchange as the vendor's solicitors is Wolstenholmes. My solicitor today received a generic email from Wolstenholmes which says:

"We have seen a recent increase in the influx of work and have unfortunately not been able to provide a high level of service that we are accustomed to giving our clients.
To counter this we have been liaising with a local firm in Greater Manchester to assist in the work load.
If completion has not been set for before 21 December 2009 then your file has been transferred and you will shortly receive communication from the assisting Firm.
If you wish to dis-instruct us or our assisting firm then please let us know and we will arrange for your file to be transferred to your desired solicitor and a refund will be issued shortly thereafter by way of cheque.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and hope that you appreciate that these steps have been taken to raise the level of service for your transaction"

Does anybody know who the "assisting firm" is and their reputation for service?

leahpo

saverextraordinaire wrote: »

I am a first time buyer struggling to exchange as the vendor's solicitors is Wolstenholmes. My solicitor today received a generic email from Wolstenholmes which says:

"We have seen a recent increase in the influx of work and have unfortunately not been able to provide a high level of service that we are accustomed to giving our clients.
To counter this we have been liaising with a local firm in Greater Manchester to assist in the work load.
If completion has not been set for before 21 December 2009 then your file has been transferred and you will shortly receive communication from the assisting Firm.
If you wish to dis-instruct us or our assisting firm then please let us knopw and we will arrange for your file to be transferred to your desired solicitor and a refund will be issued shortly thereafter by way of cheque.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and hope that you appreciate that these steps have been taken to raise the level of service for your transaction"

Does anybody know who the "assisting firm" is and their reputation for service?

Please for your sake write to them to de-instruct - you need to find another solicitors i wouldn't trust anyone they recommend.

Librachick

Well I instructed Wolstenholmes (WH) on 17 September and paid my money; They were a lot cheaper than a local solicitor. Because of a low offer, I was trying to save money. Buyer was buying as an investment, no chain at all, we were selling he was buying - end of.

WH are great. Always had to leave a message but [TEXT DELETED], my Advisor, he always returned my calls within minutes, he also replied to emails very promptly. The buyers solicitors were the ones dragging their feet!!! That's what NB told me anyway, I believed him.

10 Dec 2009 around 09:30; I called the estate agents who I was selling my house through and he advised me that we were exchanging contracts the following day! I then rang [TEXT DELETED] who told me he did not know that, he would make enquiries with the buyers sol's and call me right back.

Lo and behold, I have heard nothing at all since then. I have called the 0800 number, [TEXT DELETED]'s dd number, the 0161 437 1232 and left around 20 messages. I have emailed [TEXT DELETED] numerous times. So I went onto the WWW to see if I could find an alternative way to contact them, when I came across all of these complaints - When I kept reading, I felt absolutely gutted and felt sick to my stomach.

I have contacted the RSA and LCS but nothing they can do at the moment, as far as they are concerned they are still in business!! I can lodge a complaint but not a lot can be done currently.

I have now sent an email to [EMAIL="imran.hussain@wolstenholmes.co.uk"][TEXT[/EMAIL] DELETED], which I was given by someone on the forum; I will need to wait and see what, if anything comes back. I have asked for my file and my refund.

My partner has offered to drive to Manchester (4 hour drive each way) to see if there is anyone in the office!! I doubt there will be, so don't want to waste more money.

Never thought to "Google" a solicitor - stupid mare

All this at this time of the year - so close yet so far !!

puppy8910club

at first glance this looks like wolstenhomes "re-created" ....

A good idea to hide the bad, create a new and start again. Would not touch these guys with a barge pole.

Old staff are working there and the site has a simialr resemblance. No mention of when company was created and looks like a "fresh" look / created company.

Not worth a risk, but they could be legit. Would u risk it>?

puppy8910club

to my previous note

"Home Solicitors LLP is a new law firm, quickly establishing itself as a market leader, not just in Greater Manchester (our office is in Swinton, Salford) but also nationwide with many transactions no longer requiring an office visit"