Countrywide/Bridgfords 'stealing' payslips?

Hi there,

My husband and I are first time buyers and when looking at houses through Bridgfords I was roped into seeing their in house mortgage advisor from Countrywide.

Initially I was impressed as I was a bit clueless about the whole process and she was really helpful so before we were due to make a final offer on a house my husband and I went in with all our documents, passports, utilities, bank statements, payslips (which she took away to photocopy) and she had a look at what we could afford and the best deals for us. She also spoke with the estate agent selling the property we wanted and helped us fix the price of our final offer, which turned out to be only £500 higher than the other couple who wanted it, so we were grateful for her help.

However, when I spoke to the vending estate agent after the offer had been accepted he asked if I knew there was a charge for the service that sometimes they don't disclose till the very end. It had been implied that it was all free of charge working on commission so I was slightly bothered by her not being upfront, but still willing (and feeling slightly obliged) to go with her if she had the best deals.

We still thought it wise to get a second opinion so I arranged a meeting with an independent broker. It was when I came to produce our documents for him that I found all three wage slips we had taken to Bridgfords/countrywide were missing.

I had taken everything to Bridgfords in a plastic document wallet (the type that is like an envelope and seals at the front with a press stud) and when she came back with the wad of documents and handed them to me I just put the pile straight back in the folder. The folder was put on the table when we got home and untouched until the meeting with the other broker. (I know with the benefit of hindsight I should have checked they were all there before leaving the office, but you live, you learn!)

I wouldn't have thought of accusing her but when I explained to the other broker why I didn't have my husbands payslips he said that he used to work for Bridgfords and its a common tactic of theirs to get you to use their service!!

I was very shocked, but unsure whether he was just trying to put me off them to take my custom!!

I spoke to her since on the phone and asked nicely if 'we' had 'accidentally left them there' but after going to check she said the only thing she had were the photocopies, no originals.

We have no proof whatsoever, but I really can't think of any other way all three payslips could have disappeared, and the other broker has made me even more suspicious!

If anyone has any info/advice we'd be very grateful!