DRO with Baines and Ernst

mias_mummy

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the process of trying to get a DRO with Baines and Ernst. I've read some worrying things about them here on this site but I have to say that they have been really friendly. I was in floods of tears when I made that first phone call- it was just so humiliating reading out my long list of debts - but such a cathartic process!

I've been dealing with an advisor there who sent me an Excel form to fill in and send in via e-mail. I've sent this in but haven't heard anything back. Is this usual? I've managed to save up my £90 to pay for it but they haven't even asked me for it yet!

I'm so excited at the prospect of finally clearing my debts - I'm really keen to get it over and done with as soon as possible. I've provided them with my creditors list and account numbers - is there anything else I should get ready to help speed things up?

dazla

mias_mummy wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the process of trying to get a DRO with Baines and Ernst. I've read some worrying things about them here on this site but I have to say that they have been really friendly. I was in floods of tears when I made that first phone call- it was just so humiliating reading out my long list of debts - but such a cathartic process!

I've been dealing with an advisor there who sent me an Excel form to fill in and send in via e-mail. I've sent this in but haven't heard anything back. Is this usual? I've managed to save up my £90 to pay for it but they haven't even asked me for it yet!

I'm so excited at the prospect of finally clearing my debts - I'm really keen to get it over and done with as soon as possible. I've provided them with my creditors list and account numbers - is there anything else I should get ready to help speed things up?

There are other organisations which don't charge such as cccs & payplan.

mias_mummy

That's not quite right -

While B+E do charge for some services which the other organisations don't - for a DRO there is a £90 charge which is payable no matter who you go through. It's payable to the Insolvency Service, not to the agency.

emerald1978

mias_mummy wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the process of trying to get a DRO with Baines and Ernst. I've read some worrying things about them here on this site but I have to say that they have been really friendly. I was in floods of tears when I made that first phone call- it was just so humiliating reading out my long list of debts - but such a cathartic process!

I've been dealing with an advisor there who sent me an Excel form to fill in and send in via e-mail. I've sent this in but haven't heard anything back. Is this usual? I've managed to save up my £90 to pay for it but they haven't even asked me for it yet!

I'm so excited at the prospect of finally clearing my debts - I'm really keen to get it over and done with as soon as possible. I've provided them with my creditors list and account numbers - is there anything else I should get ready to help speed things up?

Yes cancel whlst you can.

Ive been on a DMP with them since 2005 and have had nothing but problems for last couple of years.

I was orginally told that the plan would last six years so in theory it should have finished this year. But no it hasnt when i had my yearly review in april i was told the plan should be complete by 2013, also they have now started charging £40 for a phone call less than five minutes long to do the yearly review and send a statement out with balances.

The statement they sent out this year included all creditors and current balances, now it was only because i was annoyed that they said id got another two years to go that i actually looked at the statement, some of the balances were six to nine months out of date. I contacted all the creditors myself and was surprised as to how low the balances actually are.

I pay a monthly management fee and this one of yearly review fee but yet the information i received was out of date, not what i expected when im paying them each month, they are happy to take your money and do nothing in return.

Also after checking my credit file up until 2007 all payments made were showing as on time and my credit file was in green even though im in a dmp then for some reason baines have paid people late for six months resulting in defaults. Now i expected defaults for going into a dmp but as nothing had defaulted for two years i was impressed but it lookes like its baines fault that defaults have been placed on accounts.

Also once you have signed and paid for a few months they tend to loose interest when you ring them for anything and just fob you off.

Ive just cancelled the direct debit with them and sent my cancellation letter off. Im going to take on the debts myself as ive managed to pay five off in full and only have two left to pay so id rather skint myself for the month than pay these people to do nothing.

The decision is yours but if you can get the same thing for free id do that instead of going with baines.

rant over lol

Tixy

Hi mias_mummy

If you have decided that a DRO is definitely the best way to go then you are right that the cost is the same whether you use B&E or one of the charities or Payplan.

If its been a while since you sent in the form I would ring and chase them and see how long it should take /and or what is holding things up.
Alternatively if you have tried that but still are not having any luck it might be worth posting on the IVA/DRO board for some more advice IVA & DRO board

mias_mummy

Hi thanks for this-

I understand that- but I'm not with them for a DMP where they charge. I understand they charge for this service where others don't.

I am going through them for a DRO. As I said above- no matter who you go with, you have to pay £90 for a DRO.

Is there anyone out there with experience of this?

Thanks!

mias_mummy

Tixy wrote: »

Hi mias_mummy

If you have decided that a DRO is definitely the best way to go then you are right that the cost is the same whether you use B&E or one of the charities or Payplan.

If its been a while since you sent in the form I would ring and chase them and see how long it should take /and or what is holding things up.
Alternatively if you have tried that but still are not having any luck it might be worth posting on the IVA/DRO board for some more advice IVA & DRO board

Thank you Tixy!