FAQ'S AND OBJECTIONS

Over the years we have met different fears and objections, so let us try and address some of those;
 
 
Q1)  What is stopping you from running off with my money?
 
Other than it would be theft and fraud, this question shows misunderstanding of Anti Money Laundering policies
 We have neither the ability or the inclination.  
 
Nobody could access your capital without various checks and even then it may only be paid into a UK bank account registered in your name. 
 
All of the scams we have seen first hand resulted from people trying to avoid professional services to save on fees  -  If I represented myself at court and lost, I would not be surprised 
Use the correct channels and view investment fees as an incentive and protection for the portfolio to flourish
 
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Q2) So you could pick a random provider or manager that I’ve never heard of and I have to trust that?
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Yes, that is called being Independent.  It isn't an issue for us (as we are familiar with all of the firms), so if you only wish to see giant household names within your recommendations please let us know at the first meeting and we shall accommodate.  
 
We can't promise that those multi-million-pound offices were achieved by being the best value provider to the clients, but if that brand name is important for your peace of mind we can apply a filter for you.
 
We don't use random backwater firms.  It is  through extensive research that we generate our advice and as such, all of our recommendations are insured and regulated. 
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Q3)  I could do it myself and save the fees
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Ah yes.  The DIY passive investor that bets on below sector average returns in order to save on fees.  Not qualified, very limited experience, uses the advanced 'pin the tail on the donkey' investment strategy, then complains about markets when things go wrong.  Not an investor that we seek.  
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The fundamental point is that you would not achieve the same results as us within the same parameters
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The blind focus on fees and naïve confidence costs them long term.  The irony is that they think it makes them higher returns because of the bottom end providers who pitch  'keep more of your returns through low fees...' 
 
If we can get you better for cheaper, we will.  It is that simple.  If I had a pension that charged me no fees and made 3.5% per annum, would that be preferable to one that charged 2% per annum that yielded 6% per annum?   Those cheaper chocolate bars suddenly got smaller and  in the same vein, those cheap finance wrappers come with considerably less features than the dearer ones.  We make the right call in every case 
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The sensible approach is to ensure that whatever the fees are, the performance and returns must justify those fees. 
 
I spoke previously with a  sensible guy who's wife had asked me to see him.  He had all of his pension and savings invested in 4 funds recommended by a workmate and wouldn't use an IFA because of the small cost that would be deducted from the policy.  He didn't know it but he was entirely in one asset class with zero diversification.  No understanding of asset class, currency risk, diversification or strategies.  The guy was blind to the danger because his workmate 'Gordon' was an armchair expert and had recommended those funds.  
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Old Gordon had even created a spreadsheet to show how much advice fees would erode the returns over time.  He was unable to grasp that reasoning would require old Gordon would achieve the same returns as us (or we lowered our returns to match his), working under the same parameters, same risk, same currency, over the same period, as a team of full time, qualified professionals...

 
FT Jan 24;
When Mr XXXX got access to his pension aged 55, he had £220,000 in his pot but is now left with just £3,000. 
The 62-year-old told FT that he lost most of his pension in just three years by being able to put his savings into high-risk investments within his DIY Sipp.
The FTSE-100 listed pension company said there was nothing they can do to help Mr XXXX further.
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Need we say any more?
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Q4)  I just need a form signing, I know what I am doing
 
We can only sign off our own work due to insurance rules
We made the decision that to avoid causing any offence we would deny sign-offs across the board, irrespective of the fees being forfeited.​
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Q5)  My existing provider says your work could be a scam and they are safer.
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This behaviour should be clamped down on by the FCA.  We are FCA registered and vetted annually.   This  approach is a disturbance sales technique that is used to retain your capital, every day they hold on to your cash is a target met for their shareholders  
 
If the old provider was the best environment to hold your capital, we would of course recommend them.  It's a shame that the fear of being scammed is now used as a technique for 'olde worlde' providers to retain capital despite being uncompetitive.
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