Yet Another Newbie With Questions (YANWQ)

[malvolio]

been lurking here awhile and have got some great advice.

I've just spoken to Nixon Williams and they said that they recommend Agency contracts to be reviewed by a 3rd party (Quad?), and not to trust what agents say.

Is this what the rest of you do? I mean this in relation to IR35.

R

Do you not think there's a slight disconnect between those two statements...?

I think you mean QDOS. I also suggest you go read the first timer guide on here, and the newly updated and totally relevant one on www.pcg.org.uk, then come back and ask questions.

[sathyaram_s]

yep, i'm sure most fall in this category ...

I've just spoken to Nixon Williams and they said that they recommend Agency contracts to be reviewed by a 3rd party (Quad?), and not to trust what agents say.

Is this what the rest of you do? I mean this in relation to IR35.

R

[williamdavis]

Abbey - Rubbish!

I bank personally with Abbey and they are absolutely hopeless.

I tried to send money abroad a while ago, simple enough you’d think bearing in mind they’re owned by a Spanish bank. Nope took three weeks and was a total nightmare.

Went on holiday and they barred my card, even after I informed them before hand.

They may offer free banking now but that will change and they’ll start charging as soon as the offer is over.

I’m currently going through the complaints process, which to date, has taken three months, they just keep saying it’s taking them longer than they first thought BUT I am an important customer.

Call centre is rubbish and pot luck if you speak to anybody who knows anything. I would change but have so many DD’s with them, I know there is supposed to be an automated Direct Debit transfer service but I’ve been told that it’s not 100% reliable and does cock up.

So to summaries Abbey plc have been hopeless. I use Cater Allen (yes I know they're owned by Abbey but they are a different company completely), also heard HSBC aren’t bad.

[max]

I bank personally with Abbey and they are absolutely hopeless.

I tried to send money abroad a while ago, simple enough you’d think bearing in mind they’re owned by a Spanish bank. Nope took three weeks and was a total nightmare.

Went on holiday and they barred my card, even after I informed them before hand.

They may offer free banking now but that will change and they’ll start charging as soon as the offer is over.

I’m currently going through the complaints process, which to date, has taken three months, they just keep saying it’s taking them longer than they first thought BUT I am an important customer.

Call centre is rubbish and pot luck if you speak to anybody who knows anything. I would change but have so many DD’s with them, I know there is supposed to be an automated Direct Debit transfer service but I’ve been told that it’s not 100% reliable and does cock up.

So to summaries Abbey plc have been hopeless. I use Cater Allen (yes I know they're owned by Abbey but they are a different company completely), also heard HSBC aren’t bad.

The original poster was asking about Business Accounts

They offer free business banking "forever"

Get it?

[Troll]

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. No.
4. Yes.
5. No.

You forgot the HTH

[TheFaQQer]

3. Is IR35 insurance worth it?

Probably not - join the PCG though, and they will help fight any investigation that you may have.

Some on here will argue that paying QDOS is a no-brainer (£300 or so to cover tax investigations, plus any penalties); some will argue that it's a waste of money. It's an argument that has been done a number of times, and in the end, it's up to you whether you think the risk is worth the money.

For the record, I used to be firmly in favour of paying QDOS, but am moving towards the non-payment view.

[FiveTimes]

Letterheads/Business cards for account opening? never heard of it before ... Who do you currently bank with ? Open an account with them if you are happy with their service ... If you need letterheads, business cards etc - www.vistaprint.co.uk do a small number for free - you pay the postage only - typically less than 10 pounds. Else, open a HSBC Business Direct account .. The setup is relatively quick and they AFAIK, don't ask for letterheads etc.

HTH

Vistaprint are quick and cheap, but expect to be spammed to death from them....

[r0bly0ns]

I've used vistaprint for over a year now and have never been spammed by them....

[Bluebird]

Goodprint are good and they print.

No seriously - good quality and quite resonable..

[too_many_details]

I have been through the first timer guides but of course there are scenarios it does not quite explain fully.

In relation to IR35 for instance, the guide talks about what it is and the legislation. It infers that the contract wording is important and is under the contractors control (the Inland Revenue is going to investigate you, not the agency). What I'm hearing through is that the agency will come up with the contract and it is up to you to have it checked by QDOS. So what if QDOS say its inside? What can i do? Do i have to be an expert lawyer to know how to change the wording? Is this something that can delay the process of securing a contract? How amenable are agencies/clients to changes to the contract?

As for the Abbey, they are currently promoting no business fees ever. Perhaps it s just a marketing gimmick because the volume of transactions thats likely is usually low and would not incur fees and they've decided to just increase the level at which they will charge.

I'll go with Carter Allen (via Nixon Williams) if anyone has experience of using them and has not had to pay and charges.

Cheers

R