Conveyancing warning

mydogsaskunk

I have just had an interesting experience with a Solicitors. Be careful if you are looking for cheap conveyancing. A company calling themselves Harmony Law pop up on lots of sites. They are a legitimate legal practice known as Ross Coates Solicitors. They are registered with the SRA, however, they are on some sort of money making venture with your money. Firstly they asked for a £300 deposit and took £600. When I asked them why, I was told 'ah! well it's £300 to buy and £300 to sell.' Then they called me later the same day to tell me the quote needs to be increased as there is a mortgage involved. This increase is mentioned in all the quotes so I wasn't too surprised, however, I'd already told them on the phone there was a mortgage...? Next I get a call to say they don't act for Santander and so would need to add another £269. Who doesn't act for Santander? So I cancelled, this is where the trouble started. 7 days later I get an email telling me they will refund the money by BACS into my bank account....Why? Had they simply carried out a reversal on the card I paid with, they would have saved themselves the fee, I called again, they told me it is their company policy, I asked who would pay for the transaction and they said they would. Then I got a message telling me it will take about 4 weeks to get the refund.....Why? I called again and asked why they couldn't instantly return the money to my card. Now six weeks later, I have got £300 back from my credit card provider as I told them I only approved £300 not £600, I still haven't received the other £300. Got an email today asking me to prove that they haven't refunded me...? Don't they keep client records? How do you prove that? So I have now given them 7 days to pay or I'll go through MCOL. They are clearly making money by investing client money, this is illegal as far as I am aware. Therefore, be aware of Ross Coates Solicitors, also trading as Harmony Law. All emails available. So far I am having a good experience with BPL from Dorchester, very professional they do act for Santander and a £26 deposit!

charleyroo

reported as spam....

eddddy

charleyroo wrote: »

reported as spam....

Do you mean mydogsaskunk's post? Or has another post already been deleted?

I very much doubt that one solicitor firm would risk slagging off another solicitor firm in this way.

If found out, they would face a defamation law suit and probably be struck off by the SRA.


Edit to add...
@mydogsaskunk - in fact, perhaps some of your comments may be defamatory. You have named a firm of solicitors and are suggesting that they misuse client funds.

The firm may be able to recognise you from your description of events.

To avoid the risk of litigation, it might be best to tone down some of your comments.

Lord_Baltimore

eddddy wrote: »

You have named a firm of solicitors and are suggesting that they misuse client funds.

A forum search reveals plenty of previous comment.

G_M

There's nothing that surprising here.

Most of the cheaper (often online) conveyancing outfits give a cheap basic quote, with extras aded on.

As with any purchase/contract, the lesson is to read the detail.

mydogsaskunk wrote: »

Firstly they asked for a £300 deposit and took £600. When I asked them why, I was told 'ah! well it's £300 to buy and £300 to sell.'
Seems normal. Probably in their terms if you'd read them.
Then they called me later the same day to tell me the quote needs to be increased as there is a mortgage involved. This increase is mentioned in all the quotes so I wasn't too surprised, however, I'd already told them on the phone there was a mortgage...?
An extra charge for dealing with a mortgage is normal, however if you'd asked for a quote including the mortgage work it should have been originally quoted
Next I get a call to say they don't act for Santander and so would need to add another £269. Who doesn't act for Santander?
Many conveyancers. When you told them you were getting a mortgage did you say it was Santander?
So I cancelled, this is where the trouble started. 7 days later I get an email telling me they will refund the money by BACS into my bank account....Why? Had they simply carried out a reversal on the card I paid with, they would have saved themselves the fee, I called again, they told me it is their company policy, I asked who would pay for the transaction and they said they would. Then I got a message telling me it will take about 4 weeks to get the refund.....Why? I called again and asked why they couldn't instantly return the money to my card. Now six weeks later, I have got £300 back from my credit card provider as I told them I only approved £300 not £600, I still haven't received the other £300. Got an email today asking me to prove that they haven't refunded me...? Don't they keep client records? How do you prove that? So I have now given them 7 days to pay or I'll go through MCOL. They are clearly making money by investing client money, this is illegal as far as I am aware. Therefore, be aware of Ross Coates Solicitors, also trading as Harmony Law. All emails available. So far I am having a good experience with BPL from Dorchester, very professional they do act for Santander and a £26 deposit!

I agree their admin seems slow and inefficient - but that's what you get with an online budget outfit. They are not unique. To be honest I'm just surprised they have not contested your 'cancellation' but have agreed without question to refund your money.

Even if they are being inefficient in doing so.

Thrugelmir

mydogsaskunk wrote: »

Next I get a call to say they don't act for Santander and so would need to add another £269. Who doesn't act for Santander?

Many solicitors. As lenders have approved panels for mortgage applications.