Cab

MamaMoo_2

ThumbRemote wrote: »

Out of interest, how much did you pay for the service you received?

Do you feel you got value for money?

That's like saying that someone who is below the tax threshold, or someone on benefits etc shouldn't complain if they receive awful treatment on the NHS.
"oh, we left a pair of scissors in you and now you have a severe life-threatening infection? Yeah, well, you get what you pay for"

boxed

Or like saying someone who is struggling needs to put up with bad advice and service because its free tell them anything they should be grateful hey the grass is blue you know. well what do you want its free. rubbish. I needed legal advice, I was scared, upset when I went yesterday, and was treated disgracefully, I dont know where or how she was trained, an interview usually goes hello how can we help, the interviewer then listens to the client or question letting them speak as long as they like, she may make notes, after this they then go and research it, ask a supervisor, get more information if needed, try to get the whole picture come back and explain the options open. I dont know how she was trained but none of this happened. I tried to explain she would not listen, but the receptionist sat right to one side was able to ear wig every thing let alone clients sat right behind the screen. dont worry she says its all confidential, I looked around the waiting room packed with clients that just overheard my every word and could not agree with that statement.

I am ill today, cant do anything, I need to see a solicitor, and before I choose one I will have as many free interviews as I like before deciding which one to go with, thats my perogative or any clients perogative. At the end of the day they may or may not get my business, 15 minutes is their pitch for business, dressed as free legal advice they give you options nothing more.

Some bureaus have a familly solicitor on rota, I dont know whether this one had this service, she didn't say, they are supposed to offer the names and addresses of three in the local area, I ended up tramping the streets to look for one.

juliedotcom

@boxed, if you know so much of what the CAB volunteer's job is and what they've to do for you, then why didn't you just do it yourself? It seems like you know more of what they were to do than they did, so why bother?

advice is just that - advice. you can take it or leave it. it is objective, it is someone's opinion on what you should do, based on the knowledge they have of the situation. you can't really say it's 'bad advice' when as yet, you don't know what the 'good' advice would be. or is 'good' advice based on what you want to hear as opposed to the right thing to do?

personally, if i was unhappy with the service provided, i would have made my complaint then and there, rather than make excuses of 'they'll only back each other up!'. if you haven't logged your complaint, how can you be sure? also, if you were concerned about the level of privacy, why did you carry on with the meeting?

the CAB can only offer you advice and you decide what to do with it. if you don't feel their suggestions are the right course of action, then look for an alternative.

best of luck with your query in any case.

The_One_Who

Whilst there is no excuse for bad service, you cannot tar every branch of CAB (or anywhere really) with the same brush because of one poor experience. If you have complaints about the confidentiality then take it up with the manager there and then if need be escalate it further.

boxed

hi no you are right there, not every bureau is the same, and while I know something of the job, and have been to other bureaus and recieved good advice. yesterday was very shocking for me. If I could have taken any other route I would have gladly taken it. and bad advice as to no advice or we wont deal with you full stop and the very worst not taking the time to listen, there are no excuses for that. I dont know what I was expecting but yeah I was so stressed I wont recomend or use the service again ever, and thats a shame.

Valli

whilst I appreciate your problem may well be 'sensitive' or 'personal' if you could post about it on here you WOULD get some sound advice.

A problem shared and all that.

boxed

Ahh bless you for that, I wish I could honestly, Im in turmoil, hopefully in a few days when I get better, someone will be able to help. It's awful at the moment it goes ill, help, ill, help, ill.

CIS

I think you'll find that CAB offices deal with YOU, not the other way round - usually because the good people at the council tax office have got it wrong!

Its exceedingly rare that any queries we have from CAB are anything to do with council tax liability queries (CAB aren't equipped to deal with them) - 99% of the queries are to make payment arrangements on outstanding arrears.