well....now i have a dilema.

i was in an accident on monday (14/1/13) and was instructed by my insurers (octagon) that i would be contacted by Carpenters which i was. they took all my details and i received the paperwork today (19/1/13). the third party's insurance has admitted full liability and already taken my car for repair (i was informed yesterday that it's been written off) and they have supplied me with a courtesy car (for how long i'm not sure). i have since been contacted by a few other (no win no fee ) solicitors an was advised against going with my insurance companys solicitors (Carpenters).

so my questions are

(1) Do i legally have to go with carpenters? (i have not yet signed anything)

(2) do i go with the 3rd partys insurance (who have been very quick to sort things out) or

(3) should i find my own independant solicitors?

Any help would be appreciated as i'm completely in the dark with all this...

Thanks

Rob

Anyone have any suggestions??

Pleaase....i'll be ringing them back tomorrow and just don't know which way to go.

Cheers,

Rob

Anyone have any suggestions??

 

Pleaase....i'll be ringing them back tomorrow and just don't know which way to go.

 

Cheers,

Rob

Mackembob: This might be too late for you but you don't have to go with Carpenters. You can appoint your own solicitor, you just may not have the legal cover provide back-up, so perhaps a "no win no fee" local firm would be best for you. I am about to make a formal complaint to Carpenters about their poor communication and lack of action in my case.

We have read with concern some comments on this site and wish to re-iterate our earlier comments on this forum.

If you have any concerns with service, then please contact us, rather than posting on here. We can only help if you contact us directly. We are one of the largest RTA personal injury practices in the UK specialising in RTA work.

We work with insurers, not Claims Management Companies. We pride ourselves on excellent client care service. In particular, we have a fraud vetting system in place to ensure we do not carry out fraudulent matters. We have a designated fraud team for more complex cases who thoroughly vet them through our various procedural steps.

Carpenters is not in the business of bringing fraudulent claims as stated on this forum. Once again, please can we urge you to contact us, via our website, or complaints procedure, details of which are contained within the client care letter.

they can post what they want on here about there complaints process. But trust me how can you complain about these people when you cant even get hold of them to find out anything about your case never mind complain. If i was you people i would cancel using carpenters they are the worst solicitors out there they dont even let you know when theres a change in the case like the the third partys have agreed to settle no phone call you having to ring them all the time to find out whats going on my in surance told them to take my case to court over 6 months ago they have only just started it now. They clearly have way to much work they they cant handle and thats why forums are started like this thats why they take about a million years to get anywhere they told my freind to settle had a witness to say that a bus jumped a red light there just not proper people for the job basically they should try employing a few people with qualifications i mean basically i could do a better job than some of them and thats saying something. Trust me if you go with carpenters you will guessing about your case for years exercise your right to say no they are not worth it they just want you on board then the balls in there court trust me ive never posted anything on a site like this but i felt i have to with these bunch of jokers who ever is the owner of this bussiness needs his head testing for real

I'm undergoing settlement now and everything moved fast after they got a whiff of a case closure and getting paid. I had to chase my latest medical report to see a letter written by the medical expert a month prior to asking why I hadn't heard anything. I got a reasonable settlement figure suggestion (the others had not seemingly related to severity and duration of injuries) and I agreed for negotiations with the other side to start, a lower counter offer came in for within 90% of what the first settlement offer had suggested. It's amazing how quickly Carpenters can move when the end can be seen and they get a sniff of the other party's money. I'm now waiting for my cheque and the case is out of the case-handling solicitors hands, now progreesed to the "recovery" unit.

Will never use Carpenters again if I should be unfortunate enough to be in need of similar services in the future.

I am having the same problem with this awful firm in 2013. Seems like they do not take any customer feedback.

• The call centers do not have a clue who to direct you to when you call
  
• You get passed from one department to the next and every time you call you have to give them all the information you previously gave them
  
• After many months I got in touch with the solicitor handling my case, when I gave her a call she gave me no time whatsoever, didn't answer my questions. A 'don't care attitude'
  
• She lost all the original receipts I sent in via recorded delivery (thank God I kept copies)
  
• I had an accident where a stolen vehicle drove into me, my friend in the car with me suffered serious injury and initially the firm director was handling the case, when I complained about the company they transferred by friends case to a trainee solicitor who does not have a clue what he is doing.
  
• The director emailed my friend to say not to contact her any further regarding her case, she was not informed before hand that the case was being transferred to a trainee solicitor. If this is the attitude of the firms director, then what do you except from the employees.
  
• They sent my friend a motor insurance beauro form to fill in with out the guidance book that the MIB tells you to refer to
  
• None of my emails to date have been replied to
  
• Phone messages are not returned
  
• My other friend was in the back seat and till today they still have not contact her about her claim! she had a fractured arm
  
• they try to not take into account travel expenses, time lost etc and will lose your receipts and document. They do not include a lot of this in the claim.
  
• Customer service is non existent
  
• They do not explain anything to you . They do not want to give you their time.
  
• recently they sent me an offer, the offer was so low that there is not point even me claiming. The accident has turned my life upside down, caused me so much injury mentally and physically and the amount they offered wont even pay for half of my car insurance.
  
• I think Carpenters should be named and shamed on watch dog
  
• I am in the process of looking into transferring to another solicitor as I am fed up with putting up with their rubbish
  
• Majority of the car insurers that provide legal cover have contracts with these firms, they get a huge cut and the solicitors claim back big money , leaving you with pennies. Thats why the no care attitude comes in. for them its a business of ripping people off. They do not do what is best for the client, they do not care how much you have suffered or the extent of your injury or emotional distress. For them its a business and its all about money.
  
• MY ADVICE IS STAY CLEAR OF CARPENTERS. LISTEN TO ALL THESE REVIEWERS . THEY WILL WASTE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT AND LEAVE YOU WITH PENNIES. EVEN IF YOU ARE WITH A INSURERS LEGAL COVER YOU ARE NOT OBLIGED TO TAKE THE SOLICITORS THEY SUGGEST, THAT IS YOUR RIGHT TO CHOSE YOUR OWN SO DO YOUR RESEARCH, LOOK AT REVIEWS AND GO WITH THAT. BEST THING IS TO GO WITH A FIRM YOU SOME ONE HAS RECOMMENDED TO YOU.
  
• CARPENTERS HAS CAUSED ME SO MUCH STRESS ITS UNEXPLAINABLE . PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOURELF THROUGH IT!
  

I am having the same problem with this awful firm in 2013. Seems like they do not take any customer feedback.

• The call centers do not have a clue who to direct you to when you call
  
• You get passed from one department to the next and every time you call you have to give them all the information you previously gave them
  
• They say someone will call you back, no one ever does
  
• I spent several months chasing them
  
• After many months I got in touch with the solicitor handling my case, when I gave the, a call she gave me no time whatsoever, didn't answer my questions. A 'don't care attitude'.
  
• the firm lost all the original receipts I sent in via recorded delivery (thank God I kept copies)
  
• my friend in the car with me suffered serious injury and initially the firm director was handling the case because its a serious injury, when I complained about the company to the director, they transferred my friends case to a trainee solicitor.
  
• The director emailed my friend to say not to contact her any further regarding her case, that the case is with the trainee solicitor. My friend was not informed before hand thatt the case was being transferred to a trainee solicitor. If this is the attitude of the firms director, then what do you except from the employees.
  
• very little guidance and instruction is given
  
• None of my emails to date have been replied to
  
• Phone messages are not returned
  
• My other friend was in the back seat and till today they still have not contact her about her claim! she had a serous injury too.
  
• you have to constantly chase them, they do not bother with taking your diary of events and does not ask you for evidences, they try to make the offer without added expenses. Beware.
  
• Customer service is non existent
  
• They do not explain anything to you . They do not want to give you their time.
  
• recently they sent me an offer, the offer was so low that there is not point even me claiming. The accident has turned my life upside down, caused me so much injury mentally and physically and the amount they offered wont even pay for half of my car insurance.
  
• I think Carpenters should be named and shamed on watch dog
  
• I am in the process of looking into transferring to another solicitor as I am fed up with putting up with their rubbish
  
• Majority of the car insurers that provide legal cover have contracts with these firms, they get a huge cut and the solicitors claim back big money , leaving you with pennies. That's why the no care attitude comes in. for them its a business of ripping people off. They do not do what is best for the client, they do not care how much you have suffered or the extent of your injury or emotional distress. For them its a business and its all about money.
  
• MY ADVICE IS STAY CLEAR OF CARPENTERS. LISTEN TO ALL THESE REVIEWERS . THEY WILL WASTE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT AND LEAVE YOU WITH PENNIES. EVEN IF YOU ARE WITH A INSURERS LEGAL COVER YOU ARE NOT OBLIGED TO TAKE THE SOLICITORS THEY SUGGEST, THAT IS YOUR RIGHT TO CHOSE YOUR OWN SO DO YOUR RESEARCH, LOOK AT REVIEWS AND GO WITH THAT. BEST THING IS TO GO WITH A FIRM YOU SOME ONE HAS RECOMMENDED TO YOU.
  
• CARPENTERS HAS CAUSED ME SO MUCH STRESS ITS UNEXPLAINABLE . PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOURSELF THROUGH IT!
  

Looks like I am just another of Carpenters many dissatisfied clients.

It will be 2 years tomorrow since my accident happened, It as been a long 2 years of LS from Carpenters not replying to phone calls or emails.

To me they have no idea, I went to see a doctor for an assessment within 3 months of my claim, because I have spinal injuries he recommended they sent me to a neurosurgeon, please bare in mind I see my neurosurgeon at Hope Hospital on a regular basis. Anyway around the 12mth make I got a letter to see another doctor. Turns out this was the same examination as my 1st one he was baffled why I was not seeing a specialist.

Well 12 months on and another ignored email to LS of Carpenters i'm no further forward.

People please read all the post on here and if its not too late avoid these jokers

If this seems a bit rambled I am sorry, the Morphine as that effect

I had an accident in December 2011 and Hastings referred me to Carpenters. In May this year finally recieved notification of settlement offer which I accepted.

Almost end of October and nothing since except being notified I had a new claim case worker. Emailed her (mel) had no response...emailed enquiries. ..no response. Shocking service. Not impressed.

I had an accident in December 2011 and Hastings referred me to Carpenters. In May this year finally recieved notification of settlement offer which I accepted.

 

Almost end of October and nothing since except being notified I had a new claim case worker. Emailed her (mel) had no response...emailed enquiries. ..no response. Shocking service. Not impressed.

Sounds familiar! carpenters tesco use them as well.

My word, so many complaints about Carpenters, Before I start ...DO NOT LISTEN TO A WORD THEY SAY TO YOU OR WHAT THEY PRINT ON THE MANY FORUMS THAT " SLATE "THEM...... ah well, here goes another one, just in the hopes that someone actually reads and takes heed {as I did not}

After having an accident in October2012 where the vehicle that hit me the driver was on his phone and had not noticed that I had stopped, I was informed by Carpenters that they would look after my claim on behalf of Tesco Motor Insurance.... I was advised by a friend of mine that I should read the forums and take note of what was in print, I was unimpressed and contacted Tesco motor claims immediately, they informed me that Carpenter had a brilliant relationship with Tesco as well as hundreds of other insurers, so to read " A FEW " disgruntled quotes of the internet should not put me off as they had thousands of people wiling to shout from the rooftops to tell people how great they was. Benefit of the doubt was granted and I allowed them to per sue my claim...Alas I am the fool, as every other complaint above I was promised the earth and given nothing. I was told by the claims personnel involved in dealing with my claim that he was just about to ring me, after not hearing from them for more that two months " I will ring you this afternoon with more info on your claim " Still awaiting the call..In August they sent me an offer to try "to put closure to the claim " I rang to inform them that I had not finished my physio and they said sorry and that they would look into my claim again as they didnt realise I was still under treatment, The offer they sent me was diabolical as it was less than their fixed fee for dealing with my claim. I get the pain and they collect the gain.I spoke to an independent solicitor and was advised to per sue the claim myself and informed Carpenters of the fact..They then sent me demands for payment for " WORK THEY HAD DONE" They will not be collecting a penny from me..THESE PEOPLE ARE HIGHWAY ROBBERS AND WILL EITHER GET YOU A LOW PAYMENT RIGHT AWAY OR LEAVE YOU TO STEW FOR 9 OR 10 MONTHS AND THEN OFFER YOU ANOTHER DISGUSTING OFFER JUST TO GET RID OF YOU....I took alternative advise and have already had a better offer made from the other chaps insurance company for my time off work, my injuries and my phone calls, Carpenters have as much chance of getting money from me as I was of anyone actually taking control of my case.... TAKE CARE , THEY ARE SHORT OF A GUN AND A MASK[/b]

I had a accident November 2012. Carpenters where appointed as my solicitors. Like many on here I have experienced the same problems. I last heard from them in October 2013 saying my case was under review. I sent a email to them wishing them a merry christmas (tongue in cheek) because I knew damn well I would not hear from them again until the new year. They are the worsed solicitors I have ever dealt with.

Hi Im also currently having major problems with carpenters - Last February i hit a pothole and damaged an alloy wheel i contacted my insurance company and they put me in touch with carpenters, i posted pictures of the damage and road surface and they contacted my local council who ( ADMITTED LIABILITY ) in writing. In September i was told i would get an interim payment, and then received an email that my case was being dealt with by a new person who would contact me back within 30 days. Since that email i have called 4 times written emails 12 times and had not 1 word back. Im out of pocket to the tune of around £650 and have no idea when or if i will ever receive my payment. Is there any other solicitors recommended that i can contact that i could ask to take on my case like no win no fee ones.......

I too have had a nightmare with Carpenters, if your insurance company directs you towards them just refuse and request that you are given a more reputable company to handle your case, they do not fulfil what they are required to do but take their fees fast enough, I agree there is obviously a lot of 'kickback' for the insurance companies from Carpenters, we currently made a complaint against them with the Ombudsman and were given compensation as they were deemed to be negligent we won quickly as they never even bothered to offer a defence.

Avoid them like the plague, take money and never give any out, claim to be solicitors but check their personnel list on their website and see how many of them are (or are not not) even qualified!!

Use these free people;- contact them 1st, no co0st to you to join:- freemotorlegal.co.uk, i use after Carpenters rubbish service.

Oh Dear, I guess that my plight is in vain after reading all of these complaints about carpenters. I too are one of the unlucky ones whom didn't read this forum before becoming engaging in the Carpenters web of lies with promises of phone calls that never arrive. Here goes.... I was involved in a three vehicle collision {my vehicle being squashed between the two other vehicles} I ended up in an ambulance with a damaged back and severe whiplash, My passenger had the same injuries. The man who collided with us phone the police and ambulance and admitted all responsibility. I recievd a call from Carpenters to tell me that they could not find the van owners details or the company he worked for ???? I then contacted the driver on the number he gave me and gave it to Carpenters, the n said that the company had refused liability for the accident and refused to give out the insurance details ??? I then contacted the company and collected the insurance details and passed them onto Carpenters !!! They THEN told me that the driver had said it wasnt him driving the van at the time of the collision !!!! I again contacted the driver and he said he had not spoke to anyone from Carpenters or the companies insurance regarding the collision !!! Total and utter {enter swear word of your choice ...HERE} These people are after lining Carpenters pockets, not anyone else's .. It is nearly 2 years and hundred if not a thousand phone calls and promises and excuses and more tales.... and still I wait and ring them and listen to their excuses and tales and fobbing off... If anyone knows a way out of this ground-hog day please....please.......advise me, as I have had it to the back teeth with these people:mad2::mad2:

contact your insurers and complain then Regulators if they ignore

I was involved in an accident in 2010. A woman tried to overtake me as I was turning right. Carpenters didn't supply the judge at court with relevant papers on the day of the appearance. This annoyed the judge. I wanted the case in my town but Carpenters got it 80 miles away in the town of the accident! Nice for their costs, bad for mine. I made the claim against the lady in question. She said I pulled out in front of her. But then she said I didn't signal which I couldn't if I was pulling out to cross (a 4 way junction)The pathetic Barrister I had didn't pick this up. It went 50/50! Anyway I have just tried to get a loan on a new car and have just been refused. WHY? I have now got a CCJ against me from the Insurance company representing her! Carpenters didn't sort it out in 2010. I now am trying to get it removed. I have been in touch with Carpenters but as yet no response. Lost the car I wanted and cannot get credit now. Well thank you Carpenters.

Having said the above, mainly in a fit of pique and frustration I have been contacted by a lovely lady from Carpenters. She is doing her utmost and is working very hard to remove the CCJ. I have every confidence that this will be achieved. Apparently the 3rd party solicitors received payment but didn't tell the court resulting in the CCJ. Because I rarely use credit it stayed there unknown by me or Carpenters. I cannot if this is so blame them for that. So I retract my statement. I am very impressed by the service given to me at this moment.

cathant, this might have done better as an independent thread rather than a response to a very old article/blog. Pleased to hear that it might be on the way to resolution though

I should have checked this webpage beforehand ! After 9 months of horrific and appalling service have gone to the legal ombudsman with my numerous complaints about Carpenters phone 0300 555 0333

You can also complain to http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor.page

Wow, so many years down the line and it seems nothing has changed so what is the use of an ombudsman if nothing is done?

The date is St Georges day and my 27 wedding anniversary, 23/04/2015. We are on our way out for the day and boom, an idiot hits us at speed from behind whilst we are stopped behind a van waiting to turn right.

We to are recommended Carpenters Birkenhead and yes we to have had the same stressful treatment that so many of you of had before us.

Told to leave everything to them I wait nearly twelve months for any sort of treatment in the form of Physiotherapy. I and then left for what seems like an age before being sent to see "a specialist" who operates out of a broom cupboard under the stairs in the Warrington Wolves stadium, Warrington.

I did not accept this report so again I was left for an age before being sent to see a professor, again in Warrington whilst my condition and pain gets steadily worse.

Then, this sounds familiar too, my solicitor ups and leaves at the beginning of February this year, I cannot help but wonder why?

I then, even after emailing Carpenters hear nothing on till mid June when my new case worker apologises telling me it is his fault as he over looked me, what kind of cowboy outfit is this?

I am not being pressured in to releasing the findings to the other party, which I have refused to do as they are wrong. I am then told I cannot claim new injuries after the initial nine month period even though the injuries are clearly stated on my hospital report and the very first correspondence with Carpenters.

How on earth has this puppet show of a firm still got a license to practise? I know solicitors are called leaches but this firm drags solicitors to a who new level.

I could not give a rats **** about a pay out, all I want is the full use of my arm again and to be in the health condition I was in before I was used as a brake.

I also have a major problem with them!

can someone legal help me please?

can someone legal help me please?

Hello there.

You need to start a new thread of your own please. People will be along to advise you later.

HB

thread is from 2011

but has been annually bumped by newbies

now closed

if you have an issue START A NEW THREAD

dx