I have just finished working for PH after being told I am not being firm enough regarding arrears collections. PH work along the same guidelines as BH, but are more rigorous regarding repayments & employ a 'pay up or pick up' culture. My ethics would not allow me to do this. PH pay good bonus for arrears targets being met as Sales targets are easy to achieve as evrybody who comes in wants something because they cant get it elsewhere. Instructions are to collect goods or cash from debtors in anyway or form providing you dont break any laws, or get filmed or recorded doing it!! Late fees are charged on initial lateness & per account like BH, regardless of your payment frequency. You always have to pay in advance, therefore if your benefits change to fortnightly, then you need to pay fortnightly in advance. Your contract states that when arrears are paid, a full renewal payment is required, ie to put you 1 week in advance minimum. Your Landlord wouldnt accept his rent being paid in arrears all the time would he? This causes major concerns for the customer & though generates a large amount of cash fees for PH, they would prefer UTD accounts because that pays bonus! I am glad I am out now, but PH pays good wages but have a high staff turnround due to its opinions & dismissal of staff who dont tow the company line.......

Fergal, I love a good argument!!! Point 1. I dont lend the money therefore I have no control over its costs. Point 2. I work in the Debt Collection Unit, therefore I only deal with those people who have problems whether by choice or circumstance. Point 3. I do not care for those who are 'self,self,self' who beleive that the whole world is against them. The question is, you needed the money, could not get it elsewhere, so went to Welcome. They solved your problem, at a price. That's business! PPP is only mis-sold when you are told you are covered for things you are not. It does not mean that you were told you must have it if you want the loan. Welcome protect their interests by requesting people take adequate cover. Remember, this is Non Standard credit, and you are after it because of your 'negative' credit history. If you have a mortgage, your bank INSISTS on you having life insurance as cover for their loan, despite that your house might have equity. You dont argue this do you? If you do, no mortgage, no house. Back to point 2, over 60% of my 'book' pay me something that is negotiated by both parties to avoid the legal aspect. This slowly repairs the credit rating, and could earn discounts for loyalty. A large amount of these payers are in this situation is due to working circumstances, and that they DIDN'T take PPI or other insurances. The other 40% are the cause of why interest is very high, and the near insistance of PPI. Lastly, I will now tell you that personally, I would not touch WFS with a bargepole, nor similar lenders. This is due to me paying my bills on time, shopping on line for deals and bargains. I have large debts, I dont get paid much and have a family of 4. I drive a bog standard second hand car and get 1 holiday a year, if lucky. But I survive. If I can do it witout too much hassle, so can others. Think, before you do things. Dont work hard, work smart.......... ..there are always other alternatives if you play by the rules. GOODBYE!! NO FURTHER COMMENTS BY ME................

Right, here it is straight from the horses mouth....... I am an Account Manager for Welcome Finance in the Collections division. I am the one who appears at your house if you dont pay. Before you start slanging me off, you should hear a little about me. I have worked the past 11 years in the collection industry for SUB PRIME market. (Crazy Georges, Park Direct Credit & WFS). There are 2 reasons why an account comes to me. 1. you cant be bothered to pay/think you can play the system. These people are either those that 'do a runner' or refuse/claim they are skint. THESE ARE THE ONES THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEMS FOR 2. 2. your situation has changed and you cannot pay full monthly payments. Unfortunately, a lot of these suffer from ' ostrich system'. My job is to help those in cat 2 and prosecute those in cat 1. 60% of my clients work with me, and a lot of people rebuild their credit files with lower REGULAR payments. Also, many SAVE money with incentives and discounts given!!!!! So we aint all that bad.Remember you are SUB PRIME, coz you have BAD credit ratings for past misdeminours....... .....the thing to remember is, that you went to Welcome coz nobody else would deal with you. You wanted the money, so signed up for it. Yes, additional extras like PPP add up megabucks, but you dont have to sign for it. THATS SUB PRIME. If you are having problems, discuss it with your Account Manager, dont let it blow up. Dont rewrite accounts unless they will do it at 1% or less as you'll benefit only from your credit file improvement, but have to pay your debt for longer at more overall cost. As for Welcome Car Finance, its not going down the pan. WFS have decided to stop using for HP secured deals, now that WCF have 'matured'. Did you know that Welcome cover over 70% of all HP deals in the UK? So why pay commision to others for business when they can do it their self? Thats good business. Remember, if everyone managed their credit, and paid on time, interest rates would come down, and some of our customers do get bank rates!!