Looking for an IVA IP recommendation.

FoggyBrain_2

Hi Pavan,

Thank you for that information, which I shall bear in mind. I must say, however, that callers to your service have been telling me differently -- perhaps they were just unlucky, or it was during a back log.

If asked I shall pass on the above timescale as being the latest information I have.

milliemonster

I personally believe when it comes to an IVA, I couldn't care less what the company charges and makes from the payments I make, at the end of the day, my IVA payments are made up of my disposable income and that's it, why would ANYONE expect any company, commercial or charitable, to propose and supervise a 5-6 yr IVA for free????

What mattered to me was that the IVA company I chose understood my needs, was approachable and reassuring and would help me with my budget to be able to manage it during the life of the IVA, along with getting the proposal through.

I took 6 months from my first phonecall to the creditors meeting and during that time paid not one single penny to my IVA company, so they did 6 months work for me for nothing (as they wouldn't be getting paid unless the IVA was approved), this 'free' work involved numerous phone calls and emails taken outside of office hours late at night, over the weekend when I would be upset due to creditor harrassment and my debt advisor was there for me, my company are available 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year for help and support. Even though I have had a payrise during the year, they have not taken that money into the IVA and will only consider it at review time when my IP has already stated that due to cost of living rises, she envisages my payments will stay the same.

I know for a fact from a personal contact who is currently with Payplan, who has been with them for the last 4 years and never had a problem that she is currently not very happy, she has had a change is caseworker, 5 times in the last few months, she tells me payplan now do not let you keep any of your payrise at all even when it is not at review time. I am so glad I am not with them.

I would like to ask the poster above why they think a 'charity' recommended by the government would give better customer service than a commercial company? a commercial company relies on word of mouth for custom, a charity tends to rely on just that, being seen as recommended by the government and 'free' so they have nothing to prove, I know for a fact you won't get a reply to a phonecall or email from payplan/cccs from 24th Dec until 6th Jan, my IP will reply to my emails within 24hrs, whether that is during the normal working week or christmas day.

Anondebtadvisor

Thats right Milliemonster, there are many IVA factories/ call centres out there where you can never get through to the same person twice and then have to explain your circumstances time and time again and wait for weeks or months with no return call or email.

While that approach might work for some other prefer the more personal service.

It is essential to get the right level of information and support from day 1 and to have a contact who you can get through to with one phone call or email, who will answer your questions or concerns quickly and openly.

I am so glad you found a company you are happy with, it is always avisable to speak with a few IVA providers to get a feel for how your case will be dealt with and speaking with the IP who is dealing with your case is a must. It always suprises me the amount of people in IVA's who never speak with their IP!