Baines & Ernst Question & Answer thread

Former_MSE_Archna

We have a strict no advertising rule on the site and only allow certain companies to post on the forums at our discretion. Baines & Ernst is not one of these companies, however if you’re having problems with your debt management plan we are allowing questions to be answered by Nickpearson in this thread, and this thread only.


MSE’s view on fee paying debt management companies

It’s possible to get totally free, impartial help with your debts from a handful of non-profit organisations, in other words a one-on-one session with someone paid to [FONT=&quot]help you[/FONT], not to [FONT=&quot]make money[/FONT] out of you. Be careful not to confuse this with ‘free help’: many commercial companies say they’re free as you’re not charged directly, but you’ll still pay somehow.

For example:

· [FONT=&quot]Consumer Credit Counselling Service:[/FONT] Full debt help service. [FONT=&quot]Link:[/FONT] CCCS [FONT=&quot]Tel: [/FONT]0800 138 1111 [FONT=&quot]Opening times:[/FONT] M-F 8am-8pm
· [FONT=&quot]National Debtline:[/FONT] Full debt help service.[FONT=&quot] Link:[/FONT] National Debtline [FONT=&quot]Tel:[/FONT] 0808 808 4000 [FONT=&quot]Opening times:[/FONT] M-F 9am-9pm, Sa 9.30am-1pm
· [FONT=&quot]Citizens Advice Bureau:[/FONT] Full debt and consumer advice service. [FONT=&quot]Link:[/FONT] Citizens Advice or visit your local CAB centre (find nearest) [FONT=&quot]Opening times: [/FONT]different for each bureau
· [FONT=&quot]Christians Against Poverty:[/FONT] Debt counselling agency, which specialises in helping those who are emotionally struggling too. The religious focus is why they do it, not how they do it. [FONT=&quot]Link: [/FONT]Christians Against Poverty [FONT=&quot]Tel: [/FONT]01274 760720 [FONT=&quot]Opening times: [/FONT]different for each bureau

For FULL details of how to tackle debt read the Debt Help guide.

Nickpearson_3

Hi all

I am Nick Pearson, Director of External Affairs at the Paymex Group. I am spokesperson on MSE for both Baines and Ernst (DMP's) and Blair Endersby (IVA's). I am happy to deal with any questions or issues that anyone wants to raise about any part of the Paymex Group.

Numpty_Monkey

This thread should be removed
Non-profit Debt Counsellors' List


I'f Nick Pearson
has any information about how to reclaim charges they have made when setting up a DMP
that would be of use to the people on DFW
Letting him and his company goes against everything MSE stood for

I reported Nick Pearson along with many other DFW, MSE members,
on numerous occasions for"touting" for buisness


PLEASE IGNORE THIS THREAD:A

pepe2008

Nickpearson wrote: »

Hi all

I am Nick Pearson, Director of External Affairs at the Paymex Group. I am spokesperson on MSE for both Baines and Ernst (DMP's) and Blair Endersby (IVA's). I am happy to deal with any questions or issues that anyone wants to raise about any part of the Paymex Group.

Just one question...

'Why do you charge for doing a job which can be done for free?'

Your only 'best advice' to any potential Client is....'You should be advised that there is free help available to assist you in setting up a Payment Plan with your Creditors'.

So...why dont you do it?

DarkConvict

I have been thinking about this topic and what response to give, whilst i totally agree a DMP should be free, even though a service is provided, paying to get out of debt just makes it take longer.

So long as the topic stays with helping to resolve problems on B&E DMP's / BE IVA's, i will hold no objection, this topic is obviously a risk to B&E as their would be constant suggestions in the topic and even the sticky on the forum of all free DMP providers.

Nickpearson_3

Numpty_Monkey wrote: »

This thread should be removed
Non-profit Debt Counsellors' List


I'f Nick Pearson
has any information about how to reclaim charges they have made when setting up a DMP
that would be of use to the people on DFW
Letting him and his company goes against everything MSE stood for

I reported Nick Pearson along with many other DFW, MSE members,
on numerous occasions for"touting" for buisness


PLEASE IGNORE THIS THREAD:A

Hi

This thread is for people who are or were customers of a Paymex Group Company or people who have any issue with any part of the service they have received. I will investigate the concerns raised and liase with them directly.

Happy to explain our refunds policy if that is the query.

Nickpearson_3

pepe2008 wrote: »

Just one question...

'Why do you charge for doing a job which can be done for free?'

Your only 'best advice' to any potential Client is....'You should be advised that there is free help available to assist you in setting up a Payment Plan with your Creditors'.

So...why dont you do it?

I do not share the views you outline here for all sorts of reasons. I would be happy to have a debate about the issues raised but thats not the point of this thread unfortunately. In essence any view I express about commercial debt managment firms in general or B&E in particular is deemed touting for business and is withdrawn.

MrsTinks

Ladies and Gents

I can appreciate that most of us have some pretty... set... views about Nickpearsons companies, their line of business and importantly how they have handled current and former clients. I know I do.

However - MSE have permitted him the oppertunerty to help any clients with problems - that is to say that he may not in any way tout for business - as he's already explained that he is aware. I don't suspect that MSE made this decision for any reason other than to try and help any customers who have had problems in dealing with the companies in question.
So... our personal views aside - at least Nickpearson is here to try and rectify some of the issues - outright attacking him is not going to encourage him to remain here to provide that help. And let's face it... if at any point it is felt his advice is contrary to the best interests of the people posting I'm certain it will be pointed out immediately

So... I say we allow him a chance...

Numpty_Monkey

Sorry Mrs Tine
as most DFW peeps know I'm a fairly good guy

But the company he represents are worse and lower than DCA's:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

The only advice Nickpearson needs to post is

How to cancel agreement (links should be in sig to a MSE post)
How to reclaim fee's (links should be in sig to a MSE post)

That advice would be be good, and useful


He should only be able to post on DRO threads
as sugguested a few months ago

Nickpearson_3

Hi NM and Mrs Tine


Cancellation etc is covered in our terms of business, see http://www.bainesandernst.co.uk/terms-of-business/


As you will see from the above we have a clear procedure for complaints and ultimately people can complain to FOS or DEMSA if they are not happy with how we have dealt with a complaint (of which we receive few I have to say).

If you can provide more detail re the circs in which you think a refund of fee's would be justified I will try to comment. The general and short answer is if we do all we are required to do in the terms of business then no refund would be payable.

I should also add that as DEMSA members people can also complain to them too. As a DEMSA member Baines and Ernst customers have the protection of the Office of Fair Trading Approved Code of Conduct. In order to gain admitance to DEMSA all firms have to submit to a OFT Approved code inspection and audit as well as have every aspect of the business checked. This includes independent mystery shopping a customer satisfaction audits. For more information see http://www.demsa.co.uk/

As I have said before on these pages, we speak to ten's of 1000's of people every month and the number of people who express dissatisfaction with our services are very low. The feedback we get from customers is very good eg DRO's and we don't even make any money on them!

I can't be more specific or I will be accused of advertising but I would say that of the posts from this site where we get critisised the facts are somewhat different from what is posted and they are resolved to the customers satisfaction. It is a sad fact that people are quicker to post negative comments and not so quick to post again to say that they were wrong.

Finally I do not intend to dignify the comment re DCA's with a full response but I would draw your attention to our recent work in "The Observer" in relation to the Link Financial.

ever4ton

hello,
i have taken a step to reducing my debts
i decided to go with a debt management company called bains and ernst
i realise they charge for the service but i am hoping that my debts will be paid and i will be debt free in 41/2years
after reading your site i now feel as useless as ever and that my decision was totally the wrong one??
is there any hope for my future??:(

linda