Payplan annual review

dini_2

I am due my annual review with Payplan. I am nearing the end of a very long 9 year payment plan.
I normally complete the budget review online but this option is no longer available.
I emailed them with my update, ie, rent increase but nothing else changed.
I dont want to drop my payments as I only have 10 months or so to go, so I told them this. (I have increased my payments every year without fail and have managed to pay off £60k, only 6k to go)
They have been trying to call me, but always during work hours where I am not going to have a conversation about this and they don't leave messages.

Just had a (standard) email from this saying this:
Thank you for your message.
It is important for us to review whether you have the right debt solution to meet your needs. It is not only our duty of care but also a regulatory requirement that we complete the review (even if your circumstances have not changed.)
Please call Payplan on the number below at your earliest convenience to arrange an appointment.

Since I started the plan, I have not had many phone conversations with them, mostly because each call winds me up as it involves a poorly disguised sales patter to sell some of their products.I don't particularly want to call them as
1: they have the information already, 2: I have had a different case manager approx every 6 months since I started this plan so its more faceless bureacracy and 3: I'd have to do it when I get home from work in the evening, which is the last thing I feel like doing. (plus its call them to make an appointment, not even call them to update)
For the past 8 years I have done my review online without any problems, and the fact that they are making it awkward is just irritating me. (obviously my own issues, not theirs but my stubborn streak is making me dig my heels in )
I have been keeping an eye on the balances from the DCAs and they are pretty accurate.
If I just carry on making the payments as I have been until March 2016, do you think it will cause issues?

rockm87

Can't you write to them?

dini_2

I did - I emailed them the update to my situation. (As in rent gone up, no pay increase as payfreeze, and havent had a cost of living increase as yet, please leave payment unchanged).
Their response was "You need to ring us to make an appointment to have the review"

sourcrates

Is there anything stopping you going self managed ?

Problem with Payplan was they always tried to flog you "extras", that made up a large part of there business, however, since last year, they have now stopped selling these extras, and now concentrate just on debt solutions, so you might find you have an entirely different conversation now.

dobbollah

its something they say they have to do, just give them the same figures and things will carry on as normal, i've never had them try to sell things....its a painless excersize

rockm87

I meant write a letter, rather than email.

dini_2

I did write a letter, and sent it through their clumsy online email system!
They prefer you to use online rather than paper, anyway. Although it takes days before anyone actually reads or responds, which implies that the caseload is rather large.

Anyway, self managed might be the way forward. I haven't done so before now, as I have 10 creditors and frankly it was easier to let it roll with Payplan, but I suppose it would give me more control.

Anyone who has done this before, how easy is it to sort out with the creditors? And does it take long?
Would it even be worth the hassle with me due to be debt free in March?

sourcrates

dini wrote: »

I did write a letter, and sent it through their clumsy online email system!
They prefer you to use online rather than paper, anyway. Although it takes days before anyone actually reads or responds, which implies that the caseload is rather large.

Anyway, self managed might be the way forward. I haven't done so before now, as I have 10 creditors and frankly it was easier to let it roll with Payplan, but I suppose it would give me more control.

Anyone who has done this before, how easy is it to sort out with the creditors? And does it take long?
Would it even be worth the hassle with me due to be debt free in March?

To be honest, as you have such a short time left on your DMP, just bite the bullet, pick up the phone and ring them, be nice, just say please don't try to sell me anything, right at the beginning, so that sets the tone for the call, that's what I'd do.

Fireflyaway

My review was due a few weeks back and I refused to speak about it on the phone. They cant make you. What about people who don't have a phone or cant use a phone due to disability etc?
During a recent call to book the review they were asking all sorts of stuff about how many kids I have, how old they are and if they are boys / girls. What car I have and what its registration was etc. I ended the call feeling quite down. I just want to pay my debts not reveal my personal details.

dancingfairy

Can you look at whether any of them would accept full and final settlement offers? either that or consider going self-managed?
df