Baines & Ernst Question & Answer thread

stephy110288

you will probably get battered on here for choosing a company that charge you... but i am also with a company. this is because the cccs and payplan just kept pushing me to go bankrupt and this is not what i wanted, but they wouldnt count my student grants as income. the company i use do charge, but my plan was sorted out in weeks, there was no waiting for an appointment like with the cccs, and there is someone on the phone as soon as i need them. i wont use them forever, once i get the smaller debts paid off i plan to manage it myself.
you might be better giving cccs a call and seeing what they can do for you as they are free, and you probably have a totally different situation from me
and of course theres hope for your future you've taken the first step to solving the problem

RAS

You need to go to www.whatsthecost.com and work out when you debts will be paid off if you go with Baines and ernst.

Then work out when they will be paid off if the fee you are paying are put towards paying you debt.

A B&E representative works these forums.

ever4ton

thanks for your replies:)
I think that the feeling of being bogged down by this debt is getting to me.
b & e have certainly been helpful but i started with a plan, signed for it and now it has changed??
it started with me paying £650 month which left me enough to pay my half of the mortgage, then a second letter came saying i needed to pay £950 month which doesnt leave me anything to pay towards my mortgage??
i am going to get in touch with them now and find out why...
thanks again for raising my spirits
reading some of the posts i realise that doing something is better than ignoring whats happening
i want all the phone calls and intimidation from debtors to stop thats why i thought b & e would be a good choice
thanks again and good luck to you all
L x

RAS

You must pay your mortgage before paying any other debts.

Tixy

Everton - remember its your DMP and you need to decide and agree how much you can afford to pay each month (yes your DMP company would advise you) but for them to change the amount by this much (presuming you haven't had an equivalent £300 payrise is unacceptable.

With the charity organisations they do do a review (every 6months/12months) where you would go through any changes in your circumstances and redo your income & expenditure account and then see if the surplus you have has changed.

All DMPs should be calculated on the basis of paying your priority debts and basic living costs first and then contributing the surplus to your DMP to be shared amongst your creditors.

Talk to B&E to try to understand why they have changed your amount so much. Remember though if you are still not happy its not too late to seek advice elsewhere (from a charity)

churchrat

MSE_Archna wrote: »

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.

hi
I found this bit of the post a little confusing as it sems to be saying that the groups given in the example are the companies which seem to offer free help but sneakily make you "pay somehow." Is this what you meant to post?

thanks

Nickpearson_3

Hi

Just a quick update for anyone who approaches Baines and Ernst for a DRO. Like other DRO providers we are dealing with increased volumes of people who are seeking a DRO and as a result there is a delay of 3-4 days before we can deal with applications. If you are a new or existing DRO applicant please contact the DRO Team on 0845 307 5888 we will get back to you asap.

Thanks

Nick Pearson
Baines and Ernst

RAS

Nick

Ignoring your self promotion, have you sorted out ever4ton's problems? they posted two weeks ago and appear to have no reponse from you.

Nickpearson_3

RAS wrote: »

Nick

Ignoring your self promotion, have you sorted out ever4ton's problems? they posted two weeks ago and appear to have no reponse from you.

Hi RAS

Been away for some time so only just picked this up. Basically I'll investigate any issue raised by anyone but in order to do so people need to contact me direct (there is an email address on my details on MSE) as I simply can't trace people via the information disclosed on the forum. Once people contact me with their details I can investigate but I have to say the information conatined in the post sounds odd - we would always ensure the priority committments were accounted for.

Nickpearson_3

jonnyjackov
MoneySaving Stalwart


Join Date: Feb 2007
Post Count: 219
Thanked 81 Times in 62 Posts



I would like to apply as soon as possible.

It appears from other posts that Baines & Ernst are quick, but are they reliable?

Thanks in advance.



Hi this is a post I've picked up from another MSE Forum but as I can't post there I will respond here and hope that the poster picks it up. Basically with DRO's all the providers have to use exactly the same system so there is limited discretion about how they are handled. I know some people have suggested that as a commercial firm we may try to steer people away from a DRO and into a product we can charge for but all I can say is thats not the case. In effect, the choice of DRO provider is all about who can deal with your case first.

As noted previously noted we have some backlog on DRO applications but we are presently dealing with them about a 3 day wait.