variation meeting

[goulda]

Ian or Melanie

I am with Debtmatters and Mark Prideaux is my IP. I have tried to contact them over the last couple of weeks but the line is always engaged. How can we find out what is happening to Debtmatters and their clients or do either of you know any info. Also should we read anything into Debtmatters selling IVA's to another company - what happens if we do not like the new company etc.

[MelanieGiles]

You have little or no say in the transfer of your case from practitioner to practitioner, but both of the firms that I hear have acquired the cases enjoy relatively good reputations so there should be nothing to worry about. I would have thought that letters are in the process of being issued to all clients advising you of any changes which are likely to affect you, but as transfers of IVA cases are generally affected by an order of the High Court this may take several weeks.

You can contact your IP directly by e-mail - his e-mail address can be found under "Find an IP" on the Insolvency Service website.

[hara]

Dear all,

It is a pity that many IPS do not speak or have any contact with their clients.It is a poor show.

May be it a wide reflection of the their view of people who are in IVA. They may feel that it is not worth talking to them as they are people with out money and not worth their time.

My comments may appear to be a little caustic but it appears to be widely true.

It is a very, very bad practice for an IP not to speak to a client when a client asks specifically to speak him or her.

Thanks.
Hara.

[Lisa2009]

Mr skint was told that his IP "does not take calls so please dont try to ring him" then when asked why..the reply was "he is a director and is very rarely in the office"

On the other side of the coin, we have IP's on the forum who are happy to give advice to people for free......people that arent even their own clients.

mrs skint

[hara]

Dear all,

It is very sad and shows how they see people in IVA.

Thanks.
hara.

[Jinx]

Debt matters... are they part of Accuma?

[MelanieGiles]

No they are entirely separate companies.

[ianmillington]

I think it's very simple really, the bigger an organisation gets, the more difficult it is to get hold of the person at the top. The structure of the organisations whereby the day to day case management is delegated to managers and the sheer volume of cases means that the IP in some of the bigger firms (and I don't just mean the bulk IVA providers here) will probably know very little about the day to day issues arising on his or her cases. Not entirely satisfactory I know but hardly surprising when an IP has several thousand clients in his or her name.

Ian

[MelanieGiles]

The regulators are starting to suggest that no IP holds more than 1,000 appointments for these very reasons. I am sorry, but I probably still hold a very old fashioned view about taking responsibility and the buck stopping at my door - particularly where there is a complaint involved.

There is no problem in delegating responsibility to experienced managers - we all have similar structures in place I presume - however we take responsibility for the advice provided and ensure that our staff are well equipped and trained.

I commend you in the efforts you are making for the couple of disgruntled posters on the forum at present, but do you really feel that it is our place to draw these matters to the attention of our fellow professionals - no matter how well we know them?

Sorry - I know I ought to jump off the soapbox, but this is one area that I have really strong views about!!!

[ianmillington]

Point taken.

I agree with you that no IP should take on so many cases that he or she has no idea as to what has happened on individual cases. The sad reality however is that that situation does exist in a number of firms, most of whom are in my neck of the woods and hence I know most of the IPs involved.

In the 2 cases I have offered assistance it is true that taking what the posters have said as the facts they might have grounds for complaint. However that would be cold comfort if the IVAs have failed first. If as a result of 1 phone call and 1 e-mail 2 IVAs that would otherwise have failed are rescued then I see that as a good thing. Alternatively if failure is inevitable, then the debtors will at least know why.

I know it's not my duty to get involved but in the 2 cases in question I'm afraid cannot apologise for pulling a couple of strings - indeed some might see it as my social responsibility to help if I can

Ian

[MelanieGiles]

Ian

You are a credit to our profession - and if I had the same contacts I would have done exactly the same as you - and have done so for a number of forum posters in the past where the opportunity to step in has arisen with IPs I know well or have worked with in the past.

Having re-read my post, it may have come across that I was seeking to criticise you for taking the action you did. Far from it, I just find it annoying that this sort of thing becomes necessary.

Perhaps we should set ourselves up in consultancy!!