MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

[Angry Cat]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

Dare I say it?
Yes, I will:

IMHO, there are many who may need expert legal advice Re: complicated PPI cases.

This advice can be obtained via solicitors who offer no-win-no fee with insurance.

The general consumer, is now most distrustful of CMC's and their costs.

I actually enjoyed Alex's videos but of course, I always take the broad view...

[Crispybacon]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

Hi Alex

I think its good to get a CMC view of how things are going, but unfortunately many CMC's have done the reputation of your industry a great deal of harm due to their dodgy practices, hence why you have got the reaction you have.

I think if you had posted over on CAG the reaction would have been much more aggresive than you have received here, and this is simply down to the mess that people like Amethyst see on a daily basis due to the exploitation of vulnerable people by these CMC's.

Personally, I only dealt with someone last week who was approached by a CMC (Consortium Reclaim) who told them they could 'write off' their debt using unenforceability of their CCA.

This person was £12.5k in debt and this CMC wanted to completely max out their credit cards (to the tune of £2800) and then in turn they could get the creditors to 'write off' the debt as the CMC 'were certain that because they credit cards pre-dated 2007 that they would be unenforceable'

The CMC then wanted an additional 10% of any debt they 'wrote off' as their fee.

What do you think would have happened to this person if they had listened to this CMC?

They were not in financial trouble, they had no other outstanding debt, they had just been turned down for a loan which I suspect is how this CMC got their details, yet they would have had their credit score trashed, or worse, taken to court.

I appreciate that this instance isn't PPI but its the same exploitation of vulnerable people that gives CMC's a bad name.

If you're looking to stand out from this crowd, then I wish you the very best of luck as someone needs to, however I think that with the OFT and the MoJ looking very hard at your industry at the moment I'm not sure how long you will have an industry to do business in.

Best

Crispy

[MIKE770]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

PPI refund, so far CMC useless as in the end PPI payout was due after approaching a Bank direct & after they ask if they were to ignore CMC, full refund direct to any bank to any account? I wanted immediatly., & confirmed. As for parting with 25% + vat rip off, possibly I could advertise, receive monies & then agree with some office so called litigation service to do the work & sit back and receive 25% +. Let alone having come across a missold case where the refund obtained was only patial of that which should of been claimed, but pack in small print states litigators will accept on your behalf, hence customer no chance to argue before case closed?.

[Cartoon Bankers]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I have taken the statement below on board and I apologise if I have offended anyone.

Alex, personal opinion was that video 2 in the last batch was 7 minutes of self advertising but 10 minutes of good stuff with reference to the PPI case. For me, the good and the bad within one video.


I also appreciate ALL opinions or views on the perception of CMCs and how it could damage my reputation going forward.

I now know that there needs to be a CLEAR distinction between the information in the videos and a complete removal of any potential advertising.

Thanks

Alex Woods

Cartoon Bankers

[leclerc]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I did not intend to provoke anyone and as I have repeated many many times I simply wanted an opinion on whether I should become a CMC or not.

I also cannot understand the comment below:

Prove yourself FIRST before lecturing about the vulnerable.

I am a solicitor with a law firm in London and if you google my name you will see which one as I have NEVER advertised the name of it on this forum.

If you want anymore information then just email or pick up the phone and call me.

The videos I produced are for everyone and it was never my intention to mislead anyone or dictate that they use my services.

I was simply sharing about my experience and my views on this ongoing Banks vs Consumers war, and it is a WAR.

The backlash has been seriously unfair and I know that I am a newcomer but I thought I would be welcome when you consider the time I have spent to produce over 30 videos as a labour of love.
Alex, personal opinion was that video 2 in the last batch was 7 minutes of self advertising but 10 minutes of good stuff with reference to the PPI case. For me, the good and the bad within one video.
Alex Woods

CartoonBankers

Alex, whether you become a CMC or not, is not requiring of approval by Amethyst, EXC, me or anyone else. With all decisions in life, you weigh up the pro's and cons and decide if you want to do something.
On forums, a lot of us have seen the worst of a CMC, ie upfront fees and effectively doing nothing for the client, which were the vulnerable. Subsequently, they have come to the DIY forums and, in spite of a lack of progress, have then been told they have to pay again to dispense with the services of the CMC.

[Cartoon Bankers]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

Exc,

I have DEDICATED my career to helping vulnerable consumers and I am very passionate about this war that we are in AND also for forums like Legal Beagles that help to Educate the masses.

Many many people need protecting but what everyone needs to realise is that people also need the help of people like myself.

I am not saying that all CMCs or Solicitors are good for the industry or consumers BUT there are a few good ones out there who have a heart to help people.

I was initially riled by the response to my post BUT I am glad that I was so open as it always helps to get the opinion of others.

Thanks again for your support

Alex Woods

[EXC]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I also cannot understand the comment below:

Prove yourself FIRST before lecturing about the vulnerable.

I can't speak for Amethyst but I would imagine that she feels that she doesn't need to be told this as it should be fairly obvious that she devotes her life to the vulnerable, at the expense of her own.

[Cartoon Bankers]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I did not intend to provoke anyone and as I have repeated many many times I simply wanted an opinion on whether I should become a CMC or not.

I also cannot understand the comment below:

Prove yourself FIRST before lecturing about the vulnerable.

I am a solicitor with a law firm in London and if you google my name you will see which one as I have NEVER advertised the name of it on this forum.

If you want anymore information then just email or pick up the phone and call me.

The videos I produced are for everyone and it was never my intention to mislead anyone or dictate that they use my services.

I was simply sharing about my experience and my views on this ongoing Banks vs Consumers war, and it is a WAR.

The backlash has been seriously unfair and I know that I am a newcomer but I thought I would be welcome when you consider the time I have spent to produce over 30 videos as a labour of love.

Alex Woods

CartoonBankers

[Amethyst]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I'm cross so signing off this thread.

I hope you continue to make your informative videos without the advertising in order to help people gain confidence to take on the banks themselves.

Best of luck in the future.

[Amethyst]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

Please also note that I have to disagree with your statement:

Claiming PPI isn't difficult. The FOS forms aren't difficult. A SAR isn't difficult.

There are many many people vulnerable people out there who DO need help and the Banks really do put up a fight and judging from my experience the percentage of consumers that persevere is quite low.

This forum is a fantastic resource for people BUT many will arrive here and they get confused with the large amount of information available.

You also have to factor in laziness, apathy AND the fact that not everyone likes reading.

Thoughts?

Read more at: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

As you added that while I was typing I'll reply.

I agree with you.

But it doesn't change my stance on CMCs.

I'd rather fight to change the apathy, and to empower the vulnerable than try and make money off the back of them.

Prove yourself FIRST before lecturing about the vulnerable.

We had a guy on here who we knew ran a CMC, one of the big ones, he wasn't allowed to advertise on here, but we accepted CMCs had a place and there was a need for them so he joined in with discussions and we shared information.

We then found ourselves trying to help people with complaints against that company as it seemingly had hit a downturn. He made excuses and lied. We found out that the company had been receiving refunds from the card companies for charges /PPI etc but not telling their clients and just pocketing the money.

So we messed up. We probably will again. There are lots of CMCs on here especially on the PPI threads, but it is very clear that advertising is not allowed and neither is touting our members. Sharing of information works both ways, I'm pretty sure the CMCs don't advertise us either.

[leclerc]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

Cant you see that the statement below was said in jest?

4) Should I charge a subscription fee for the information I share on cartoon bankers?

What happened to your sense of humour? lol

Please also note that I have to disagree with your statement:

Claiming PPI isn't difficult. The FOS forms aren't difficult. A SAR isn't difficult.

There are many many people vulnerable people out there who DO need help and the Banks really do put up a fight and judging from my experience the percentage of consumers that persevere is quite low.
The vulnerable can be prone to being ripped off not only by the bank but by the fee charging CMC as well. Again see the Centro thread mentioned above.
This forum is a fantastic resource for people BUT many will arrive here and they get confused with the large amount of information available.
That is why they ask questions. None us were born with knowledge but asked questions, looked up information and guided people through a process in which that knowledge became their knowledge. They then helped people themselves.
You also have to factor in laziness, apathy AND the fact that not everyone likes reading.
They are unlikely to come here either if they are lazy or don't like reading.

Thoughts?

Alex Woods

See above for the thoughts.

[EXC]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I don't think it is reasonable to ask people to go the trouble of unwittingly considering and responding to questions needlessly for the sake of amusement.

To be perfectly honest I did think this was said in jest:

there are lots of people out there that need the help of professionals

The reason being that it doesn't quite chime with your approach ie professionals needing the helping the help of laypersons.

[Amethyst]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

I lost any sense of humour relating to CMCs screwing people out of hundreds or thousands of pounds for nothing in return a long time ago.

So you may be different and you may have morals, but I don't know you, and I will do my utmost to protect consumers who come here for help being 'syphoned' off to CMCs we know nothing about.

Yes you have done a few videos, not earth shattering, interesting to see your view as a solicitor. It doesn't mean I automatically trust you and know you.

So go and get your MOJ licence, get some evidence and earnyourself clients by having a damn good reputation. You are not advertising here.

[Cartoon Bankers]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

EXC

It was written in jest - lol

Thanks for replying

Alex Woods

[EXC]

Re: MOJ removal of CartoonBankers by Alex Woods

Cant you see that the statement below was said in jest?

4) Should I charge a subscription fee for the information I share on cartoon bankers?

In short, no.