investments and IFA's

JohnJonestheformer

Hi, sorry about this, I did post on another thread about my retirement plan but can't find the thread.

I was given advice to use unbiased. I did try calling a few advisers but I have to admit, I didn't feel great about them. Perhaps its me.

So I'm at a loss. Another recommendation was to use a recommendation but there is no one. Had anyone on here used a good IFA in Norwich?

I then need to sort out an investment with the lump sum. Do I use the same IFA or a different one?

Help please, and if anyone knows where my thread had gone that could be helpful too?

Al.

Unbiased recommendations are usually flawed in that they're made in the immediate flush of transactions but it isn't until years sometimes, that the true value of your service becomes apparent. Or not, as the case may be!

You could use the same IFA, in fact, it makes sense for you to do so in the interests of completeness. Fiona is a great girl, she is one of my sounding boards. Please don't say you've already tried 'em!

http://www.almarygreen.com/meet-the-team/fiona-sharp-apfs

xylophone

Your thread is here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69431696#Comment_69431696

xylophone

And dunstanh who post frequently is an IFA based in Norfolk - maybe a pm to him would bear fruit?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5351670

jem16

Al. wrote: »

Unbiased recommendations are usually flawed in that they're made in the immediate flush of transactions but it isn't until years sometimes, that the true value of your service becomes apparent. Or not, as the case may be!

I thought that was the Vouched for site that posted reviews? Don't remember seeing anything other than a list of IFAs and Restricted FAs on unbiased.

dunstonh

I was given advice to use unbiased. I did try calling a few advisers but I have to admit, I didn't feel great about them. Perhaps its me.

unbiased has gone too commercial now. They have just changed their pricing and it's more or less turned into a leads generation service now. My experience of unbiased is that most the calls from people using it are a complete waste of time (from the IFA point of view). I didn't renew my paid for entry this year. unbiased now charge the IFA if they accept the lead.

A newer directory and one that is not commercial is the personal finance society.
http://www.thepfs.org/yourmoney/find-an-adviser/

Its basic and doesnt show the full range of qualifications the adviser has (only top level. i.e. an adviser could have several modules in higher level or specialist areas but they dont show). However, advisers do not pay to be on there and the PFS check the are authorised and verifies they the have their statement of professional standing.

I am also not keen on vouchedfor. I checked the coverage of our area recently and it hardly any of the advisers in our area. it showed three with larger profiles. One of which had a 4.9 out of 5 rating but I wouldn't touch with a bargepole (all the reviews were 2015 too. It can take years of service to build a relationship up and be able to really "score" an adviser correctly. if its a transactional service, then most advisers are going to be fine at that). There were a bunch of advisers with lesser profiles but they were over 30 miles away. Most the advisers I know were not listed. I know these facebook style methods appeal to some but a good many advisers do not advertise and do not need to advertise. They have enough clients and get natural growth through referrals, family members and friends. So, they will not pay for commercial listings.

JohnJonestheformer

Thanks everyone. I almost feel like not bothering. Just too much! and then meetings....
Is there any easier ways?

gadgetmind

JohnJonestheformer wrote: »

Is there any easier ways?

You either pay someone to do it for you, learn how to do it yourself, or don't do it! I'm now DIY, but I'm a fast reader a quick learner, and find anything sufficiently complicated truly fascinating.

Al.

JohnJonestheformer wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I almost feel like not bothering. Just too much! and then meetings....
Is there any easier ways?

There are lots of DIY services out there (the ubiquitous Hargreaves) or, if you need a little handholding, some newer robo services - such as Nutmeg, Money on Toast etc.

redmalc

Apologies for piggy backing your post,I have had a similar issue in Nottingham and have agreed for HL to visit us this Tuesday for advise.
Any one had HL around for advice ,good or bad comments please and what should I be paying if I agree to them looking after my pensions and investments,approx 500K
Thank You

Al.

Malcolm,

One size doesn't fit all. For some people HL is ideal, for others, it's a waste of money. I was at Woolaton Hall last week; that place doesn't change!

It depends on your level of insight and willingness to be involved. You can have a full IFA service, a robo service, a robo hybrid service or a FIY like Hargreaves. Before you start, make sure you know where you're starting from, what you have to put in, and what you want your objectives to be.