Grant Thornton - even worse than led to believe

[artemischild]

sorry its clearstart they took on not cleardebt.

[tonyranks]

no rappy...some companies are very good, i had my certificate in record times...2 weeks. still cant believe it

[tonyranks]

oh yeah freeman and jones

[GilliB]

That's excellent tonyranks, I really pleased to read such a positive outcome. I was told 3 months by my company, and I've put reminder in my phone for the end of October (an extra 2 weeks). I pray I'll get it in that timescale as that's what I was told - even after my asking about any delays re: PPI/VAT, my CO stated 3 months, so that's what I expect...

[Shining]

good luck and hopefully all sorted by the 23rd x

[GilliB]

Sonicshake - I'm so relieved to read that you have finally received a response from them, which is contrite, informative, and provides a timeline for you. Why o why couldn't they have done so much sooner? I have to admit, I was as mad as hell when I read your post this morning, because you nor others should be kept hanging and in the dark about what's going on with their IVA's - after complying with the terms of the agreement. On reflection, I feel that my frustration runs a little deeper, and believe that some of us are far too accommodating and put up with some of the poor customer service regarding the management of our IVA's. I wonder how much of this is born out of the feeling that some of us may be holding onto guilt and shame about being in an IVA, and not being able to pay back all we owe? Well, if we flip it - the creditors agreed the terms of our IVA - their choice, knowing they were likely to get back less than owed. Once we have complied with the terms set out, why on earth should we be kept hanging on for 6,12,17 months. I just don't get it! When I look back at how worked up, distressed and anxious I became when my CO didn't do something, and how bad I felt about having to demand answers (as advised by my fellow posters) - it's crazy! There's no other area of my life that I'd behave like that - feeling so inadequate and unable to speak up for myself , because I was so 'grateful' that I was able to have an IVA . Other posters got me through all that. I for one have now shrugged off my 'sack cloth and ashes', and I expect to be treated fairly and promptly. Posters nerves have been 'wrung out' because of unacceptable/unexplained delays in closures. It's not just about 'waiting for a bit of paper', posters jobs have been put at risk, some have lost out on house purchases - that is real. We need to be stand up and make it very clear that late/no response to our enquiries regarding our IVA's is unacceptable and should not tolerated - backlog or no backlog. I make no apology for 'getting this off my chest' - it's been a long time coming. Peace x

[GilliB]

Hi sonicshake. I think the reason it hasn't gone to court is that no-one can afford to! Even to seek legal advice would cost - and who has that kind of disposable income when in an IVA? Many IP's deliver services that are second-to-none, and clearly demonstrate customer-focused services, but there are some that obviously don't, and they are tarnishing the industry as well as customer faith and confidence. I'm sure I read somewhere that once the debtor has submitted their final payment, the IP has 3 months to distribute funds and issue the completion certificate. Granted, the VAT & PPI issue reared it's ugly head many months ago, which held up closures, but surely they should have been able to 'grasp the nettle' by now and get on with it. Did they even advise their clients of the delays? The fundamental issue for me is the lack of and/or poor communication between IP and client. If it were reversed - how much power is in the hands of IP's if we failed to communicate; meet their required timescales and just ignored them? They would have the power to say the IVA has failed, but we have no power or recourse regarding case closure. It only takes 1 case to set a precedent... Once again, I sincerely hope that your case is closed soon, as I'm sure you (or others) would rather not use your time, money and energy taking them to court. x

[j.ct]

Fingers crossed they keep their word and you see your certificate of closure next month.

The last time I contacted them to find out how far through the system my c.o.c. was. I was told your case is with the closure department. When I asked to speak to someone in that dept was told to phone back in Oct which will be 6 months after I got a letter saying all funds were in and my case had been transferred to the closure department.
Which was nice as in January I was told I should get my certificate through with in a couple of months.

[MelanieGiles]

As a practising IP of many years experience, I can fully understand the frustration that some of you have with the delay in your cases being closed. I sense that the firms with a backlog are doing their best to work through this as quickly as possible, but recommend that you ask them to give you a firm expectation of when matters are likely to be concluded and regular updates in the meantime. There may well be very good reasons which are holding things up, but if they are shared with you it might help to understand where the difficulties actually lie.