Marstons!

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

So, Milo, you aver that the sanctified Marstons bailiff had not bumped up the fine to £1,190 - it was all the fault of the evil, uncaring magistrates or district judge?

However, your "explanation" really does not make perfect sense, as the maximum fine for an offence contrary to section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 (link) is "level 3 on the standard scale" or, in other words, £1000. The average fine in 2006 was around £130...

It may be possible that the Marston bailiff had not charged the full £85 admin fee or the full £215 attendance fee allowed in their contract with the Courts Service for going to an address and hammering on the front door with her fist, but is that really likely? It is equally possible that she had not added spurious charges such as an "attendance to remove" fee but, given how prevalent such up-front charges are by bailiffs of whatever company, is that at all likely?

In short, might you perhaps have done exactly what you accused others of doing, by speculating without any evidence whatever to back up your claims?

[Celestine]

Re: Marstons!

I think that it is really unfair to call Milo the 'official apologist for Marston Group'. Her principles and integrity are impeccable and if speaking/negotiating with Marstons on behalf of victims is so bad, how come it yielded such good results on the Boswell case and dozens of others that Milo has worked on. I too contact Marstons regularly and speak to Sheila too, I won't tolerate her being attacked in this way for doing tireless work for consumers.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

I think that it is really unfair to call Milo the 'official apologist for Marston Group'. Her principles and integrity are impeccable and if speaking/negotiating with Marstons on behalf of victims is so bad, how come it yielded such good results on the Boswell case and dozens of others that Milo has worked on. I too contact Marstons regularly and speak to Sheila too, I won't tolerate her being attacked in this way for doing tireless work for consumers.

I did not know that

1. Milo was female, or
2. that she was involved with the Boswell case

I shall therefore amend my post accordingly.

If she was involved with the Boswell case, though, one might wonder what she thought of that appalling harpy.

[Celestine]

Re: Marstons!

Milo is a lady...not sure how that makes a difference!?

Sheila wasn't directly involved with the case initially, but worked co-operatively with us at that time and succeeded in 'shining a bright light' on the issue as far as Marstons were concerned.

We have a confidential Bailiff Working Group on LB and most of CAG's bailiff experts are actively involved in that and we are very grateful for their help, so please lets stop the attacks. There are other people known to these forums who are FAR more deserving of our mistrust and hostility after all.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

Milo is a lady...not sure how that makes a difference!?

I'm just a bit old fashioned.

Sheila wasn't directly involved with the case initially, but worked co-operatively with us at that time and succeeded in 'shining a bright light' on the issue as far as Marstons were concerned.

Then more candle power to her, as the whole of the enforcement "industry" (sic) needs to be illuminated.

please let's stop the attacks.

Does that mean one may no longer refer to a bailiff as a boor, brute, moron, momzer or oaf?

There are other people known to these forums who are FAR more deserving of our mistrust and hostility after all.

Pedantically, you surely meant "distrust" but, yes, you may be right. There's a certain company in Leeds, for example, whose unwise demands are keeping you in posh shoes. :rofl:

[pepsie]

Re: Marstons!

I think that it is really unfair to call Milo the 'official apologist for Marston Group'. Her principles and integrity are impeccable and if speaking/negotiating with Marstons on behalf of victims is so bad, how come it yielded such good results on the Boswell case and dozens of others that Milo has worked on. I too contact Marstons regularly and speak to Sheila too, I won't tolerate her being attacked in this way for doing tireless work for consumers.

I am so relieved to see comment to Sheila's impeccable principles and integrity, I for one have learned so much from her that in turn, gave me the confidence to offer advice to posters on both sites, she is indeed a remarkable lady....Sheila is not my 'twin' as it has, been advocated elsewhere but she has become a very good friend both on forums and behind the scenes. leaving me in no doubt she is true to the definition of being 'dedicated'.

Pepsie

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

We have a confidential Bailiff Working Group on LB and most of CAG's bailiff experts are actively involved in that and we are very grateful for their help, so please lets stop the attacks.

May one still say that bailiffs in general are inherently disingenuous?

[labman]

Re: Marstons!

I too must vouch for Milo, though I confess to reading this post only AFTER pm'ing some people about comments being made on the bailiff forum in recent weeks. Those who have been pm'd will know whether or not they have contributed to this, or other posts and please rest assured if any of you read this post, I had NOT read this before sending out any pm's.

As Celestine says there is a Working Group which oversees bailiff issues, and for a small group we tend to pull a mighty punch. We are lucky to have the quality, experience and knowledge available to us that we have. This has not come about by accident, but by a long period of hard work building relationships with other people and forums - a thing rare to find in these competitive inter-forum times, and true testimony to those involved. I play a small part in that group.

I heartily endorse above comments and look forward to more 'awareness' in future - we don't want years of good work undone by a few comments. Equally, to be fair, people had no idea this working group existed, just as the bailiff had no idea the son had mental health problems, so the posters could not have known there was potentially more at stake from comments made.

It is unfortunate I've been away from the forums for several weeks, as I feel slightly guilty that I might have picked up some of these comments and intervened. What is past is past though, so let's move forward in a more positive manner.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

What is past is past though, so let's move forward in a more positive manner.

I remain skeptical about this "positive manner" will result in any positive effects or a significant amelioration of their ethos.

[Inca]

Re: Marstons!

For Christs sake CC...will ya tone down your use of words wot I've never heard!! I'm having to google them msl:

[labman]

Re: Marstons!

I remain skeptical about this "positive manner" will result in any positive effects or a significant amelioration of their ethos.

Nobody is expecting miracles, and nobody would want anyone to post up and us not make life difficult for the bailiffs if they are acting inappropriately which is so often the case. We are here to help consumers NOT bailiffs. However, malpractice is rife across the industry and not just in one company. We continue to address the malpractice forcefully, but it is how we do this that can make a difference.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

Nobody is expecting miracles, and nobody would want anyone to post up and us not make life difficult for the bailiffs if they are acting inappropriately which is so often the case. We are here to help consumers NOT bailiffs. However, malpractice is rife across the industry and not just in one company. We continue to address the malpractice forcefully, but it is how we do this that can make a difference.

I do not believe I have ever posted anything to suggest that any one company is egregiously (sorry, Inca) bad. However, I have previously expressed my disbelief that a certain company really will get most of its bailiffs to behave themselves and to dispense with the services of those who will not.

The system just does not really provide any incentives for scrupulous honesty.

[wales01man]

Re: Marstons!

It might help the rest of us to know how the bailiff is paid?
Is it a salary
A salary and bonus for money collected
Commission on money collected
if its anything but the first you can see why some behave in the way they do which should never be allowed by the company and the clients councils etc, they contract for

[CleverClogs]

Re: Marstons!

I understand that most firms offer some bonuses or commission on monies collected, but the attached documents (from Marston's own application pack - link) may prove informative.

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Marstons!

Question for general info here guys, the fine is from 2006.. is this not SB now anyway?