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.  Let us be candid;  Of all the tens of millions under our control, do you think we've waited 20 years to choose your savings with which to elope?
 
Only you could access  your capital to withdraw after strict AML 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 were caused by investors bypassing professional services to save on fees.

 
Use the correct channels and view the 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 our Independence.  We work with bona-fide companies and qualified professionals.  We do not place unregulated capital and do not go 'off-piste'. 

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.
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Q3)  I could do it myself and save the fees
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Aha, the emotive focus on fees.  A marketing manager's dream! 

 

The energy used trying to reduce fees actually cost you more both in the short term and longer.

The DIY investor.... Unqualified, confident, uses the advanced 'pin the tail on the donkey' investment strategy, then complains about markets when things go wrong.  They invest in funds that are guaranteed to return below market averages - that's why those funds are cheap.  If cheap was the answer, no expensive funds would exist. 

 

It is a profound mistake to think that cheap means you make more money and 'keep more of your returns', in reality you don't. 

 

None of the best performance stories I have encountered over the years were from 'cheap' policies.  None were DIY investors.
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The fundamental point is that you would not achieve the same results as us within the same parameters.

 
Please consider this rather daft example for illustration ;

 

If you had a pension that charged a total of 0.5% in fees and made 3.5% per annum, would that be preferable to one that charged 4% per annum and made 10% per annum? 

Would your focus be on the appreciation of the hard work the team have done to achieve the 10% return or would you consider that by some miracle you would have achieved 14% yourself by the DIY method? Anyone that answers the latter choices are terribly misguided.

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It is worth having an IFA just to know you are insured.
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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.  FT Jan 2024
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Didn't have an IFA, so he lost the lot.  If he had an IFA, their insurance would have likely refunded the whole amount because their poor investment choice caused such catastrophic losses which clearly were unsuitable - not to mention it wouldn't have happened in 1st place

 

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Q4)  I just need a form signing, I know what I am doing

We cannot provide execution only sign-offs across the board because of the unacceptable liability to our firm. 
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Q5)  My existing provider says your work could be a scam and they are safer.
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We are FCA registered, insured and pass the highest vetting thresholds.  The tele-sales staff in the old providers will say whatever scripts are trained so the firm retain your cash.  ​This behaviour is known as a disturbance technique employed to retain your capital.  For every day they hold on to your cash, another sales target is met for their shareholders.

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Disturbance selling [DS] is a recognised sales technique used to scare clients into doing nothing.  Several banks and providers retain targets and provide in house courses on DS
 
If the old provider was the best environment to hold your capital, we would of course recommend them.   
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