DMP Mutual Support Thread - Part 7

Hopelessly_Hopeful

DevonGirl wrote: »

Hello

I've posted this as a thread in its own right but haven't received any replies, so wonder if you fellow DMPers can help please...

I am on a DMP, over 2 years now, going fairly smoothly, about another 5 years to go. One of my creditors is Cahoot, to whom I owe £800. My basic bank account is with RBS which I opened as I didn't owe any money to RBS. In 12-18 months time my RBS branch will be taken over by Santander, who I understand took over Abbey and presumably their internet bank, Cahoot. How quickly will it take for them to make the connection? Do you think I should switch banks to avoid them using the power of offsetting?

Second question would be, with a prevailing wind, underspending on groceries etc and a lot of E-baying, I might be able to raise a few hundred £s to offer a F&F offer to Cahoot before the 12 months is up - does anyone have any experience of this with Cahoot please? What sort of % figure did they accept?

Many thanks for any advice offered.

DG

Morning

Sorry I don't have personal experience of dealing with F&Fs. I wouldn't risk the 18 month merge etc incase of offsetting. Switching is really easy these days. Is there a good reason to stay where you are? I went with Coop as they appear to have few connections, seem to be reasonably ethically compared to some and let me apply online/phone and had me all set up within a couple of days.

Good luck with it all.

HHx

Mrs_Arcanum

DevonGirl wrote: »

Hello

I've posted this as a thread in its own right but haven't received any replies, so wonder if you fellow DMPers can help please...

I am on a DMP, over 2 years now, going fairly smoothly, about another 5 years to go. One of my creditors is Cahoot, to whom I owe £800. My basic bank account is with RBS which I opened as I didn't owe any money to RBS. In 12-18 months time my RBS branch will be taken over by Santander, who I understand took over Abbey and presumably their internet bank, Cahoot. How quickly will it take for them to make the connection? Do you think I should switch banks to avoid them using the power of offsetting?

Second question would be, with a prevailing wind, underspending on groceries etc and a lot of E-baying, I might be able to raise a few hundred £s to offer a F&F offer to Cahoot before the 12 months is up - does anyone have any experience of this with Cahoot please? What sort of % figure did they accept?

Many thanks for any advice offered.

DG

Is it only the premises that will be taken over or the account as well? If it is only the building then you should be OK to stay put you will just get a new local branch somewhere else. Otherwise switch.

DevonGirl

Thank you both Hopelessly Hopeful and Mrs Arcanum for your replies. I will switch banks as I've heard many horror stories about Santander. It's a shame really cos RBS have been really good to me. I'm sure they're pretty awful if you owe money to them, but I've been ambling along with my basic bank account for over 2 years now and they've been absolutely fine. Will look into the Co-op.
Thanks again.:D

ald65

hi Devongirl

it sounds as if your local branch of RBS is closing and Santander are moving into the premises, however this should not affect yout RBS current account which will stay with RBS and be moved to a new branch. Santander should have nothing to do with your RBS account as they are seperate banking organisations.
hope this makes sense!;)

DevonGirl

ald65 wrote: »

hi Devongirl

it sounds as if your local branch of RBS is closing and Santander are moving into the premises, however this should not affect yout RBS current account which will stay with RBS and be moved to a new branch. Santander should have nothing to do with your RBS account as they are seperate banking organisations.
hope this makes sense!;)

Thanks Ald, it does make sense. I'll give RBS a call in the morning and find out about that. It's irrelevant where my branch is as I do everything by the internet, so if I can stay with RBS then that would be good. If not, I'll have to swap.
DG

londonfraggle

Hello all DMPers old and new! I'm back for my regular (ish!!) update!

So - all been going swimmingly - am now just 12 months or so from my DFD woo hoo (well, if all goes to plan!).

Have had a small set back this month - I do a lot of work travel and as a result quite often have issues with claiming expenses etc. back from work - it means this month I can't make my payment to my DMP comp on the right day (as am waiting for reimbursement from my company but of course the finance dept. are all on hol!!), but they've agreed to let me pay my creditors direct. I've done this before and it's been fine, but for some reason I'm worrying this month. I think perhaps because I can finally see the end in sight I'm just terrified of rocking the boat... But I have no choice. It will be exactly the same amount - no more and no less.

So - anyone got any advice on how to handle the calls? I am going to do it all by phone (have planned a morning off work to just sit on the phone and get it done).

Other than that DMP seems to be going v well. No letters or calls at all (apart from the odd statement). I am v hopeful that this won't muck things up so please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hope you're all fab and happy. Fraggle x

DevonGirl

Hi London Fraggle - great to hear from you again!

I can see why you're nervous about rocking the boat but given you're an 'old timer' with your DMP (by that I mean the length of the programme, not your age ), hopefully this will stand you in good stead, as they know you're pretty reliable.

Personally I would take a couple of hours out to sit down (as you've said) with a :coffee:and phone your creditors, explain the situation, and ask them to make a note of your conversation on their computer files. Ask for the person's name, an extension number if possible and make a note of time/date of your conversation. My statements are covered with little notes like '28/7/11 - spoke to Sarah at NatWest x5462 and advised blah blah blah'. (I know it wouldn't stand up in court, but it is something to prove I've made that call!) Despite all this, in my experience some creditors will still have a little whinge that things have changed, but hopefully if normal service resumes next month there will be no permanent damage, and you'll be a month closer to your DFD!! :j

Also, just to add that some of these 'whinge' letters are entirely automated and get sent out when payment is sent later or in a different way, so don't worry.

Keep the faith, LF - you're almost there!
Best of luck, DG

zoey86

Hey,

New DMP person here!
Only just found this thread (my newbie logo has only recently disappeared )

I'm sure you will get plenty of questions being thrown at you from me soon!

DevonGirl

Welcome to the Gang :hello: and ask away.....!

We're all in similar boats here, so normally someone has the answer. (Oops shouldn't go down the line of a nautical theme - might start Twithead off, bless her !!! - see previous posts.)

DG

Twit_Head

zoey86 wrote: »

Hey,

New DMP person here!
Only just found this thread (my newbie logo has only recently disappeared )

I'm sure you will get plenty of questions being thrown at you from me soon!

As DG said - welcome
Lots of folk on here starting a DMP about the same time as yourself, so you are not alone.

'Twitty'