I have finished my IVA in March 08 with a Final Settlement settlement for the 3 years remaining.I did start a proposal with DFD but had it on hold for 3 months.Then they closed my case.I went with a smaller IVA firm instead in my local town
I wish I'd gone with a smaller company as I think I would have had better advice, and a more realistic IVA.
While I appreciate that the bigger companies do a good job for a lot of people, I feel smaller companies give a better service. I didn't even know I could speak to my IP!
DFD have been very efficient for me. my debt were £80k and they managed to get me 15p in the pound which was a resounding result. I am 11 months in and they have been very good.
I think it's the same with everything. Some people will have good service, some won't.
I am with Payplan and so far am very happy with them, but others on here haven't had such a happy experience.
I don't think it matters whether they are so called 'IVA factories' or not.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I was with Clearstart- had to transfer to DFD.Communication is dreadful in my opinion.I would choose Melanies firm if I had my time again.The amount of reassrance needed and advice throughout the process and It is not forthcoming.Cat
chris5678 wrote:
nothing wrong with dfd in my opinion very helpful when you ring them up. The citizens advice bureaux advised me to go through them.
When I saw this I cringed. The CAB categorically do not recommend DFD or any other similar institution and this user's posting should NOT be seen as a CAB recommendation.
The CAB service see alot of people who have had inappropriate advice from IVA factories who have persuaded them into IVAs which they cannot afford. We would suggest seeking independent advice before entering into an IVA to make sure this is the best option for you. There are lots of free advice agencies about e.g CAB, National Debtline, local authority debt advice centres who can help you, not just with IVAs but with bankruptcy and debts generally. They are free, impartial and are not out to make money from you!
I also had no choice and was transferred to DFD from Clearstart. If i had my time all over again and with the help from the forum site now i would definately go with a company like Melanies. None to pleased with the service from DFD. Its a shame because i spent a lot of time considering going with Clearstart ( and they were very helpful and v good with my IVA) but this got taken away and out of my hands. Reading all the reviews i would not have chosen a company like DFD ( especially when you have an IVA for 6 years).
Can I just say that some posters on here are happy with DFD, and have posted to that effect.
Whilst I agree that some do give bad advice and send people down a route inappropriate to them, I don't think they can all be lumped together.
It is best to telephone two or three IP's before making a final decision and make sure all the options are explained to you.
Trouble is, people who generally visit the CAB for advice haven't found this site, where advice from professionals is second to none.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Hi Sweetie
All IVAs have to be put forward and supervised by an IP and every IP will draw a fee,so effectively be making money out of the debtor !!
Yes some people have been pushed down the wrong route in the past but equally there are many more that have recieved both good advice and a good service from fee charging companies.
Advice from the organisations that you mentioned is indeed both valuable and free but it does not mean that all other organisations do not give good, impartial advice and in nearly all cases this advice is also free.
Regards
Hi Sweetie,
I have worked with DFD for a number of years and a lot of their clients were told to go them by various CABs. Other CABs have advised other firms of IPs and we ourselves have had referals. This is not a bad thing.
Only IPs can prepare IVAs and if a debt advisor at the CAB feels an IVA is the best way forward for their client it is natural to advise speaking to an IP. If the advisor knows an IP with a good reputation or has acted professionally for a client in the past the advisor is doing their best for their client in passing on that information.
Given that all debt advice services are presently overwhelmed it should be welcomed that some CABs are advising speaking to an IP. Most IPs offer a free no obligation consultation and do not have the waiting lists that charities and agencies invariably do.
This is really interesting Michael. One wonders if there is some form of policy within the CAB which dictates that they recommend this particular firm, or others.
Most of the CAB offices I have dealt with in the past are very specific that they do not make specific referrals, and it is one thing advising an IVA as a solution, but something completely different to steer that referral to one or other particular company.
I am not sure if there is a policy. I do know that some CABs see large amounts of debt and do not know what to do. Advisors were telling clients to ring DFD because they saw their adverts on TV so basically passed the buck. The level of advice was certainly patchy in the past and CABs tend to have a certain amount of autonomy so whatever is policy at the top does not always filter down to those in the front offices.
I do not think there is anything sinister as CABs as I do not believe these are referrals per se but more recommendations based on previous dealings. CABs have always recommended solicitors based on their experience and qualifications so why not IP firms?
I'm not saying that they should not do this - just that they seem to make a very public stance that they do not make recommendations. I am also quite suprised that they would favour a large firm rather than smaller, local practices where their clients could see an IP on a face to face basis. Just an observation!
