Is this a scam ??

ciano125 · 19 December 2009 at 10:03AM

cottager wrote: »

Gosh, is this one still doing the rounds? OH was caught with it donkeys years ago, can't even remember how long. Don't recall the name, but a firm in Liverpool I think. I would have hoped in all that time something could have been done to put a stop to this, but evidently not.

I see it all the time, we've just been instructed to act on behalf of one of the biggest pub operators in the country and one name keeps coming up time and time again when I go and see the tenants "Oh we're being looked after by ......" "No you're not actually, you've been scammed by......"

cmac · 20 December 2009 at 10:00PM

ciano125 wrote: »

I'm glad you've been told this is a scam. Any firm wanting money up front (or at least not on a no win no fee basis) is bad news. Is the company called H****** and T***** by any chance? Bunch of cowboys.

Don't believe all the above saying you can deffo do it yourself though, yes, its true, you are allowed to, but a reputable firm of Chartered Surveyors who specialise in Rating will be a much safer bet and you know it will be done correctly. After all, I'm not a hair dresser but COULD cut your hair. Would you want me to?! I don't do my own, I pay someone who knows what they are doing AFTER they've done it.

Feel free to PM me if you would like, I'm happy to provide you with further information if you would like it.

Yes thats them !!!
I have e-mailed them to which they havent replied, a follow up phone call informs me, the matter will now go to there legal team as the 14 days cooling off period is over.
I refuse to pay as I was told I didnt pay untill I had received the money. This they are not acknowledging.
If you dont mind I will contact you in January regards this.

Thanks
cmac

ciano125 · 21 December 2009 at 8:27PM

I have a copy of their "contract" in the office somewhere, I'll have a look for it tomorrow and see what it says but I have a bad feeling that because you have (by the sounds of it) agreed to their terms and conditions (which are basically that you will pay them about £400 upon acknowledgement of receipt of an appeal being served) you MAY be stuck with it. However, even if this is the case, you can still employ a reputable firm to deal with the appeal but you would need to write to them and cancel the contract.

Actually, I've just had an idea but I need to check on it first. Leave it with me....

ciano125 · 21 December 2009 at 8:41PM

Right, did they provide you with Appendix A to the RICS Rating Consultancy Code of Practice? See an example here - http://www.ratingsurveyorsassociation.org/pdf/appendix_england_wales.pdf

If not, I would suggest that their "contract" may not be enforceable, but I would take legal advice first, a solicitor in town will give you half an hour free advice.

Hope that helps a bit
Ciano

cmac · 27 December 2009 at 2:42PM

Thank you ciano 125
I am in the process of writing to cancel to-day, and No I did not receive Appendix A.

I will PM you if you dont mind, as I think I need all the help I can get with this one. I feel such a fool.

Thanks again
cmac

ciano125 · 27 December 2009 at 4:18PM

Got your PM and replied, thanks.

Also, you're not the first and unfortunately won't be the last to fall foul, so don't feel so bad about it.

Ciano

cottager · 27 December 2009 at 7:13PM

Let us know eventually how you get on, cmac, as so often we don't get to hear the end of the story. Good luck!

Ciano, can they be reported or are they actually not doing anything illegal?

ciano125 · 27 December 2009 at 9:04PM

I'm not 100% sure, because I don't believe they are members of the RICS, if they were, they are certainly not adhering to RICS guidelines so would be in trouble for that. I have a feeling they probably are not doing anything illegal (immoral would be a different matter in my opinion though!) so it is important to make as many people as possible aware that there is absolutely no need to pay for Rating Services up front, or really on anything other than on a no win no fee basis, with the fee being a percentage of savings usually.

cmac · 29 December 2009 at 12:51AM

Ciano125,
For some strange reason I dont seem to be able to send PMs ???? So I`m going to send the details to your work email. Is that ok?

cmac

Sam_26 · 1 January 2010 at 8:31PM

We use a firm called Coupers Partnership based in Macclesfield. They approached us in a similar sort of way and charge 50% of the business rate saving over 5 years.

They are very good at their job and manage some massive savings. Its great when the council backdate to 2005.

Coupers only charge on a no win no fee basis and I wouldn't pay anybody upfront

Sam

Is this a scam ??

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