PJG

[ivamess]

OK. Well with all due respect and all that jazz I for one am angry and I don't really go for the platitudes and reassurances that I am reading on here.

Firstly, we are not children and don't need to be spoken to as such and "trying not to worry" gets us nowhere when this has been done and we have found out about it on a public forum. This doesn't bode well and it certainly doesn't encourage me not to worry. Also, when this first broke we were told that Mel was busy etc and yet I could read about what was going on in the forum to which I posted a link? Also, the PJG site is still very much up and running and presumably attracting business this morning.

Secondly, the experts and others on here advise everyone to do their homework and pick their IP carefully, which those of us who have gone with PJG have presumably done. The reason I went for this company was that it had an excellent reputation, a personal touch and Mel's team worked out a good personal set of allowances for us. Yet, my IVA has (probably)been sold on without my knowledge and I have only been with the firm six months. These transfers are not made overnight and must have been known about when my case was taken on.

Thirdly, Mel says that the transfer process will be made as smooth as possible. Well what happens after that? Nobody knows. On this forum, I read that Creditfix were contacting people in 2012 which doesnt bode well. And the Consumer Action Group site also carries some information about them at
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/fo ... ditfix-Ltd

Sorry,but I feel we all have every right to be concerned and I personally feel that the trust that I had for PJG has gone completely out of the window as, from what I have read, my IVA as possibly been sold to a bunch of sharks without my knowledge and within seven months of my organising an IVA. I am NOT sure that Creditfix will "want my IVA to continue as before" from what I have read about them... in 2012 they had a mention on this site as one of the companies that were cold calling people to drum up business.

http://www.iva.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=48082

On that thread, Mel says "The choice to enter into an IVA can be daunting, and sometimes it is a good idea to seek a second or a third opinion before you decide whether it is in fact the right option and which is the right firm to reprsent you.

Knowledge in these matters can often be powerful, so I would have a good hunt around the forum to see what others are discussing about their own IVAs, and also have a look at various firm's websites to find out more information before you finally commit."

So, of course I am angry and worried. The work I did, and the choice I made, has been pulled out from under me and I have theoretically been sold out to a company of what could be seen as rather dubious reputation.

Ivamess.

[Shining]

Having finished my IVA with Mel I know how good she is at her job and through recommendation a lot of posters still in their IVA with Mel will no doubt feel unrest and be fearing the future. I will admit 100% I would feel the same and having done your homework and entered your IVA you would assume it would be for 5 years.

The only thing is we don't know why this is happening and I guess it may be personal enough for Melanie to make this decision but what a shame as the Insolvency world will lose a level-headed IP if she is not practicing any longer.

I hope you all get personal reassurance from Mel and that as stated the transition will be smooth and the company that acquires your IVA will have a fair and realistic approach as Mel always did.

On that one I assume time will tell.

[ridingthestorm]

Here here ivamess ! Good post and covers exactly how I feel only being with PJG for 10 months myself

[recovering]

However scared/anxious we are it is not any forums members fault, they are only trying to support us so be nice!

[recovering]

I am not happy with any of this, I was assured that everything would be smooth after my work takeover too, that didn't happen ! but as i said other Forum members are not to blame so I think we should respect eachother

[ridingthestorm]

Hi Mike

 

Thanks for your email. I can confirm that the news is true. An agreement was finalised late on 24 October 2014, which resulted in the ongoing supervision of your IVA being transferred to Susan Wriglesworth of Creditfix.

 

We understand that you may be initially concerned as to how this may affect you moving forward, but please be assured that Susan, and her colleagues at Creditfix, share our own values and business ethics and that she is also a highly experienced professional who we feel sure will ensure that the handover runs smoothly for you.  We will be working with Susan over the next few weeks to ensure that she receives copies of all documentation relating to your case, thereby enabling any immediate queries to be properly and promptly dealt with.  You should, however, use Susan and her team as your first point of contact, as we are no longer able to deal with direct queries from yourself.

 

There will be no change to the way you make your payments which will continue as normal until your case is closed.  The account details to which you make your monthly contributions will remain the same, and so it is imperative that you do not cancel your payment arrangements as this may result in your IVA falling into arrears.

 

A letter from Creditfix is being sent out to all affected clients today and the contact details and information will be included in this letter. A letter will also follow from Insolvency Practitioner Susan Clay confirming your IVA being transferred and thanking you for your co-operation and support whilst we were acting for you.

 

Many Thanks

[Adam Davies]

Hi

It is worth trying to understand the changes within the IVA industry over the last couple of years. Insolvency Practitioners fees have been squeezed by creditors to the point where many are finding it unviable, much work is done upfront with fees only recouped if the IVA is both agreed and runs for a year or two

I fear we may see more of the smaller/medium sized companies selling their IVA books to the larger players in the market who can still make the IVAs viable due to economies of scale.

Not much comfort I know to those affected but rest assured Mel's decision was taken with a very heavy heart

Regards

[ridingthestorm]

I know. Fingers crossed that we were all sold to the next best alternative . Time will tell

[MikeyM]

Well, whatever the reasons for the current situation, I hope that once things have settled down Mel Giles will return to this site and continues to impart her immense knowledge and experience for the benefit of those of us in IVA's. With all due respect to all the other experts on the site her ability to analyse an issue, sometimes from minimal information provided, and then give guidance and advise on how to proceed is second to none. The site needs her and it will be very sad if she does not return

[Pandy]

I remember how bad and worrying it was when my IVA was 'sold' on to GT from BE. I can sympathise with all of Mel's clients. It is a real shame she has had to do this as she was /is one if the best in the business.

[abbiesmum2003]

Well said ivamess!
And lulu im sorry but its not just a different email address. I think thats a tad out of order. Mel was realistic about I&E. She understood family lufe and was realistic about allowances. Who knows what creditfix will be like. Weve heard horror storys of these companys being strict/tight with them. I even had a chat with one such company who didnt give allowances for prescriptions, haircuts, school meals etc...only bills/DD so every penny was expected into the iva to the extent we would have been paying £50 a month less into iva than what we were paying to credit cards. We would have failedby now. Its all well and goid handing over paperwork but what then? We have no idea how they will review our cases and we have no power to decline or go elsewhere. I understand companys change but to say shop around, chose who you want your 5-6 year relationship with then transfer us without any choice is disgusting. I agree you shouldnt be able to simple shift iva around but if the iva company is closing then we should be given choice who we go to not just moved against wishes. I hope Susan is a suitable replacement and continues to sllow ivas to run as intended. We shall see.

[Pandy]

We all said that when GT bought ours but it fell on deaf ears. The company's can do what they want with it's clients and we have no redress.

[ridingthestorm]

I know. Fingers crossed that we were all sold to the next best alternative . Time will tell

[ridingthestorm]

Well if they start squeezing there clients through I&E then people will become dishonest in there budget.

[Foggy]

I, like many of you now, was transferred to another company without notice and, against my wishes. In my case it was from RSM Tenon to Grant Thornton ( a company I had specifically rejected when making my choice). I was livid and let every body (including GT) know!

However, with the help of this forum, I rode the storm and, I have to say, GT where not at all bad at the running of my IVA and I was pleasantly surprised.

Mel, I know, will have done everything humanly possible to chose the best successor IP she could and, although, as I know from experience, it is an extremely worrying process, we should give Creditfix a chance to shine before we panic and lambast them.

I know many are irked at the lack of notice, as I was when my transfer happened, however, there are business protocols beyond Mel's control that HAVE to be adhered to, and these will have been enshrined in any contracts involved.

Hang in there. Hopefully Creditfix would consider having an expert on the forum to assist clients in the same way as Mel and her team assisted clients and non-clients alike.