Debt Management, is this company for real?

[sonicluna]

Has anyone heard of Churchwood? they have been constantly trying to contact me about debt management. Has anyone had any real experiences with them?

[Ethel]

I have no experience of that particular company, but common sense tells me the reason they are chasing you is for one reason:

They believe they will make money out of you.

They don't care about your debt or you - they just want to profit from you.

Read this site - particularly the bottom of the page which gives links to FREE debt management help.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewn ews.cgi?newsid1094132767,59163,

I wish you luck! And don't get signing anything without knowing what you are getting in to.

[experienced]

I am dealing with a company based in Hyde called Thornton Shepherd - they are very helpful and the admin dept do care - they have helped me out greatley and I was put in touch with them by a company called Eurocredit. I was with Churchwood but this new company leave them standing and are cheaper - give them a ring they are really helpfull - you get there number from the webdsite

[bellasasha]

DONT do the debt management company....go thru the cccs thru the citizens advice-its free and no bull sh*t....i was with a debt management company for 3 yrs and my debt never seemed to reduce even tho i was paying them 350 per month!!! please dont do it, there are other options.

[Miss Zippy]

I completely agree with Ethel and bellasasha - do not seek help from a 'debt management company'. There is plenty of free high quality advice available from other sources. If you visit your local CAB they will be able to put you in touch with a debt counsellor. These are often highly trained people (e.g. retired accountants or bank managers) who work on a voluntary basis to help out people in your situation and they will often provide you with as much 'hands on' help as you need, e.g. making phone calls to creditors on your behalf or helping you to write letters. Good luck.

[experienced]

in response to the other comments after mine - I have alot of priority debts that the CAB wont help with and also CCCS even though they are classed as a charity they are funded by the people that we owe money to, so they are not really a charity as they give priority to those that sponsor them. Thornton are dealing with all debts that Churchwood wouldn't support and as far as I'm concerned are worth the �30 fee that they take - I will now be debt free in 3years - I would recommenend this company to anyone they have helped me out greatley

[jason1980]

Ive seen similar questions like this before on here.

A debt management company carries no clout in sorting out debts. They act as agents telling your debts to have only what you can afford and they keep a percentage themselves of what you pay. They wont stop interest and they cant stop court action.

You can tell all your debts yourself what you can only afford until your circumstances change. Debt management in my own opinion is for people who dont have the confidence to call or write to those who they owe money to and feel better paying somebody else to do it.

[experienced]

All I would say is give Thornton Shepherd a call - youmight be pleasantley surprised as I'm at home at the moment I have found their number *********if you ask they will call you back - I have done my good dead for the day now so I'm off to work. Just for the record I am quite intelligant and only got in to debt due to a run of bad luck and a death in my family - this company have managed to have court action stopped and also arranged for interest on my credit cards (yes all of them) to be stopped - obviously I am dealing with a much better company than most - and if I lived in the area where they are based I would be honoured to work for such an ethical professional yet personal company

[dazdaz]

in response to 'In a Pickle' - I have never dealt with that company but I have with Churchwood and Baines & Earnst - all I can say is that people only speak with experience and if someone has found something to help them - good on them for sharing it - if it is an advert and I'm not sure who would make up something aobut a death - maybe there are some very doubting people out there - I personally wouldn't touch the 2 I have dealt with but due to my circumstances I am still having to deal with Churchwood - but I am going to call this other company and see if they are what that 'experienced' says and I will report back - unfortunately some people like me need to have that extra bit of help - but I thought that was what this kind of thing was about - sharing good and bad information - obviously I am wrong or is there just a lot of doubtful people out there

[jason1980]

hi In A Pickle, it does sound like an advert.

I know for a fact that they can not guarantee to stop court action. Again the reason you can put off court action is because you are making payments to show you are actively clearing the debt - but again its not down to super powers that debt management companies have.

Agreements can be made direct between the cutomer and those who they owe debt too. Mention to your debts that you were thinking about getting a debt management team in, that way they are aware of your seriousness and will treat you with the same respect.

Just remember that the debt management company wants that percentage they keep from your monthly payments to them, then they distribute whats left around equally.

Either way with or without them, you are still going to owe no less than what you do already and it will affect your credit rating.

[casaespana]

dazdaz, you say you are not sure who would make up something about a death. These people are parasites and will say and do anything to get your money. People in desperation will turn to these companies, only to find themselves in a continuing spiral of debt. They prey on the weak and vulnerable. There is always excellent advice on this site, I just wish it was acted upon.

In A Pickle, yes. If that is not an advert I don't know what is.

[experienced]

I would not make up the death of my mother and I can't beleive there are people who would stoop so low - I am just really please at how this company has helped me - sorry if it sounded like an advert - they never said to me they would guarantee anything - just try there best and theyhave maybe I have been a lucky person to found this company and they have helped me - all I was doing was offering my advice like every one else - you can't tarnish everyone the same - I feel this company is worth the money.

I live a good 150 miles away from this company

Like I said I'm sorry it's not an advert - but for those people like myself that need help this is a good company - I will not bother to pass on some good news in future

[flipflop104]

Go to CCCS - they helped us tremendously and they won't charge you a penny

http://www.cccs.co.uk

[Dreaming]

CCCS have also helped me. I would recommend them.

[dazdaz]

I rang these people like I said and surprisingly they didn't promise the earth - they answered all my questions and after being with Churchwood and Baines & earnst - I found them to be really helpful - they explained in detail what they could do and they don't guarantee stopping interest or anything like that - I was surprised - maybe 'experienced is right' and there are some Debt Management companies out there that are ethical and treat you as a human being - I was surprised but maybe those people who need help with priority debts that people like CCCS and CAB wont help this appears to be a good company - anyway I'm now seriously thinking about changing again

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