Countrywide Mortgages charges

dunstonh

Pursue the complaint to the FOS as you are in the right. Your key facts document does not mention the fee and it was not disclosed in advance of you going through the process.

Estate agent reps are poor quality and many are outright liers. They have the worst reputation going (sorry to the small independents who are much better and must hate what the larger firms do).

adbee

dunstonh wrote: »

Pursue the complaint to the FOS as you are in the right. Your key facts document does not mention the fee and it was not disclosed in advance of you going through the process.

Estate agent reps are poor quality and many are outright liers. They have the worst reputation going (sorry to the small independents who are much better and must hate what the larger firms do).

The main problem we have is that we have got no bargaining ground, we cant walk away from this deal now because at the end of the meeting we signed our card information for a non refundable fee of £290.

We told him we had no money in that account because we were saving, and we would have to transfer some money into that account before he processed it. He then gave us his word he would not process it untill he had spoke to us the next day.

I phoned him up the next day and couldnt get hold of him, I wanted to pay the extra for the homebuyers report. Finally got hold of him two days later and he had already processed this £290 and sent our application off.

VIGILANT22

That's why they're not refunding cause they know you will think the way you are thinking

You have bargaining power just briefly document and refer to the document as the IDD and it states no fee........keep a copy...dont be brow beaten..come on you have to be strong your going to be homeowners you cant have every scally who comes along take 99 quid from you...

TMSL

Also they can not force you to see their adviser before they put an offer forward on your behalf , this is against the rules.

Senior_Paper_Monitor

adbee, you are probably stuck with the mortage (and in itself you are apparently not unhappy with that - just the broker fee and the bad feeling that 'advisers' (I use the word with reluctance)/estate agents like this leave you with.

I agree with dunstonh's comment fully !

I suggest you process the mortage/purchase as currently - and hopefully you guys will soon be enjoying your new home, don't let these !!!!!! ruin that.

But I would be pretty confident that a formal complaint about the broker fee and the way it was handled will be successful and your fee will be returned - making you feel better and them a lot worse!

I suggest you take dated screen shots of their web site still promoting 'fee free' etc and include this along with the IDD and any other relevant documents (including the KFI, which will 'hang them'). Record name, date, time and content of all phonecalls and conversations carefully, deal as much as possible in writing and keep copies.

If you are unsure about the correct complaint process ask them (in writing) for a written copy of their complaints procedure - follow it carefully.

If you need any more help come back here - I susepect that there will be several knowledgeable people happy to help you with this one.

Let us know how you get on !

adbee

Just to confirm, the £99 fee is paid on completion of the mortgage and has not yet been paid. The £290 we paid at the end of the meeting was a non refundable valuation fee.

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Thanks for the clarification - even better as you will receive confirmation that it has been cancelled well before it becomes due.

Dom3663

With reference to...

As the market becomes increasingly complex, many mortgage brokers have decided to charge a fee of up to 1.5% of the mortgage amount for their advice.

Here at Countrywide Mortgage Services we believe you can have the best recommendation and advice service without charge. Countrywide Mortgage Services are dedicated to provide you with the high level of service you would expect from the UK's largest Mortgage Broker. Like other brokers, we receive a fee from the lender for arranging your mortgage

Contact us today to discuss your mortgage requirements - without obligation and without charges for our advice on 0800 988 7925. Alternatively request a callback for a Customer Development Representative to call you to arrange an appointment at a time most convenient for you.

It states there is no charge for "recommendation" and "advice service", but not that there is no charge for the work in arranging the mortgage? Could they sneak out of any comeback on that route??

VIGILANT22

Dom3663 wrote: »

With reference to...

As the market becomes increasingly complex, many mortgage brokers have decided to charge a fee of up to 1.5% of the mortgage amount for their advice.

Here at Countrywide Mortgage Services we believe you can have the best recommendation and advice service without charge. Countrywide Mortgage Services are dedicated to provide you with the high level of service you would expect from the UK's largest Mortgage Broker. Like other brokers, we receive a fee from the lender for arranging your mortgage

Contact us today to discuss your mortgage requirements - without obligation and without charges for our advice on 0800 988 7925. Alternatively request a callback for a Customer Development Representative to call you to arrange an appointment at a time most convenient for you.

It states there is no charge for "recommendation" and "advice service", but not that there is no charge for the work in arranging the mortgage? Could they sneak out of any comeback on that route??

It's the same thing part of the process.........

adbee

Well quick update, I phoned the complaint line again just to clarify I wasnt missing anything on the key facts illustration, and I wasnt.

So have emailed them a letter of complaint with the documents attached, and will await there response.

Thanks for everyones help and advice, it is much appreciated.