Business Debtline

Nicki_Sue

I'm currently dealing with cccs and theyve been fab - no complaints - in fact can't recommend them highly enough!
During my initial call/ appointment with the debt counsellor I was given the number for the Business Debtline to see if they could perhaps help with ideas for upping the income from my business.
I rang them the other day (am ashamed to say I lost the number for ages and forgot about ringing!) and was appalled! The person I spoke to (who Im convinced was reading from a script mostly) was quite rude about the cccs and and was trying to get me to have a dmp through themselves! The person i spoke to also suggested that it would be helpful if I had or developed an illness or condition which prevented me working as I could then apply to my debtors to have my debt wiped out! OR I could offer a lump - say £2k (to one I owe £10+), which I would get from borrowing from friends and family and advise the creditor that that was my final offer - end of!

Naturally I rang CCCS and told them all about it and they were horrifed!
Be wary!

BDL_Manager

Hi,

My name is Nick Keith and I’m the current team manager of Business Debtline.

It is with regret that I have read that our service has failed to meet the expectations of the the caller. At Business Debtline we pride ourselves on the quality of advice given by our advisers. I am concerned that the OP feels we have fallen short on this occasion.

I would ask that the OP contacts the helpline again on 0800 197 6026 and asks for my contact details (sorry I don’t want to post them in case of spam), which will be provided by an adviser. I can then look into this in more detail, and address any issues to ensure our service remains excellent.

Business Debtline is a non-profit organisation offering free, impartial debt advice to self employed people and small businesses. We are a self help organisation offering advice on how to deal with many problems faced by people in debt. We have a range of free materials we can supply to assist the telephone advice provided.

Please contact us for free advice if needed.

Nick
Team Manager
Business Debtline

dancingfairy

That sounds weird to me. Did you phone the right Business Debtline. I only say that because CCCS have a great reputation on here and I wouldn't have thought they would have recommended anyone who gives that sort of advice. I am wondering whether there is a company/outfit with a similar name that are dodgy and not the real Business Debtline? I believe CCCS have a fee charging company that sounds similar to them but which is not so good.
Is this a possibility? It wouldn't surprise me.

Nicki_Sue

Hi
It was definitely the right BDLine as I checked the number I was given by CCCS to the one I called, and the main website. I don't believe CCCS or BDL are at fault but rather an individual adviser etc. I was angry and felt let down when I posted initially so I don't think I made this clear - sorry.
I've had nothing but great experiences and support from the cccs and Nick - thank you for your pm and I have pm'd you back and will ring BDL back to see if they can help me with my original query.

Thanks

Nicki x

rog2

I have to say that I found Business Debtline both very professional and helpful when I had problems with my business. For me, the biggest problem was that I did not find them early enough to avoid my, by then, inevitable bankruptcy.
I have, also, used/spoken to most of the other Debt Counselling Services (NDL, CCCS, CAB and Taxaid) and have never heard any of them criticise the work of any of the others.
There are precious few charitable organisations who give free and professional debt advice in an area that is 'swamped' by fee-charging companies, many of whose sole interest is to make 'profit' out of the misfortunes of both individuals and businesses. Those charities that do exist, in this field, are overstretched and often underfunded, yet, in my on experience, still manage to treat their 'clients' as individuals. I can see absoluely no interest in any of them needing to, or wanting of, criticise the work of the others.
That said, they do, fortunately, employ real people, rather than just computer software. People, as we on this board should appreciate more than others, are not always perfect - they have their own problems to deal with and, sometimes, this can reflect in the way that they perform their jobs.
I would think, and certainly hope, Nicki_Sue that your experience was an isolated experience as most of us have nothing but praise for the work that all of these charities do - I, for one, can not reccomend them enough.

I hope that your next encounter with BDL is more productive, and that you find a solution to your problem.

Good luck.

Nicki_Sue

Hi All, I'd just like to update you.

It was an unfortunate incident I experienced and I hope this hasn't put anyone off contact BDL! I have to acree Rog2 that it was just perhaps an adviser etc who was havinga bad or something similar as I can't believe that BDL as a whole would allow or advocate the advice etc I was given.

In fact, since my original post, Nick, the current team manager from BDl has been in touch several times and has completely restored my faith in BDl and has been a source of vaulable advise as to the aims of BDl and is looking further into my situation to see how he/BDL can help.

Thanks Nick (and BDL)

BDL_Manager

Thanks Nicki_Sue - I'm glad we are able to at least offer our assistance.