Biz rates

[technics]

Hi I hope this is the right section and apologies if not.

I keep getting a call from a guy from a company called Clements (I think) about how they can send surveyors out to value the property and how they can potentially gather some info and proof to then forward on to fight our case to lower our business rates.

I am sceptical as I just dont know much about it and also cant afford to pay anymore if it went the other way. I do have to say that I think our biz rates are extortionate!

He wants £140 upfront but if they think they do not have a case to fight then they call it a day and do not go any further and we also get a refund.
If they think there is a case then there is another 700 odd quid to pay later on and they also take a percentage of any savings of the first/initial year.

Anyone know about this or been through it, obviously im tempted but also wary.

Many thanks,

Maurizio.

 

[Scalloway]

I have no idea if Clements are genuine but I would take note of this.

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/trading-...ndards-business-rates-reduction-scams-warning

 

[deniser]

If he is cold calling you I would avoid him for that reason alone.
You can do your own calculations and investigations to see if your business rates are reasonable.
You should be aware that if you challenge your rates it can also go the other way and your rates bill could go up.
If you think your rates are OK you should leave well alone.

 

[obscure]

He wants £140 upfront but if they think they do not have a case to fight then they call it a day and do not go any further and we also get a refund.
If they think there is a case then there is another 700 odd quid to pay later on and they also take a percentage of any savings of the first/initial year.

Like any good magician, many con artists rely on misdirection. They wave around a big number like £700 with one hand and make you feel good by pointing out that you don't have to actually pay it unless you have a case. What is there to lose??? You're so busy feeling good about not risking £700 that you don't notice the other hand removing £140 from your wallet. That good feeling is enhanced by the fact that most people are honest and believe others to be be honest - and thus assume that the company will work for that £140.

But wait, what does that company know about your business, your premises or the rates you are currently paying? In a word nothing. They are randomly calling you and hundreds/thousands of other companies and, out of those companies, how many are actually over-paying and will gain from a review? 1 in 10, 1 in 100, 1 in 1000, 1 in 5000? I don't know the answer but I bet it is closer to 1 in 1000 than 1 in 10. So now onto possible business models for these people......

Option 1. You sign 1000 clients and charge them £140. You spend £100 researching their cases to find the one that has a valid case. You charge them £700 and spend some of that helping them get a refund. You made £40,000 plus whatever you made from the valid claim.

Option 2. You sign 1000 clients and spend next to nothing. After three weeks you inform them they don't have a valid claim. You made £140,000 (minus your minimal costs).

Options 3. See option 2 but you inform them all that they have a valid claim. You then spend a minimal amount submitting a boiler plate appeal using info supplied by the client. All the appeals get rejected (maybe the one valid claim gets lucky and succeeds no thanks to you) and you made £840,000 minus your minimal costs.- Legally it's not a scam because you did the absolute minimum necessary to fulfil what you promised but the reality the claim was never going to succeed.

Last point to consider. Most of use want others to be honest and hope that these companies adopt option 1 above. But if they did surely there would be satisfied customers out their recommending them and newspapers wanting to write feel good stories about these saintly businesses... and yet there aren't.

 

[Jason Howard]

I would do it myself. Sounds dodgy.

 

[The Byre]

A long time ago, someone called us and asked to speak to Mr.Greemy. Why they asked for Mr.Greemy must remain a clouded mystery, but the person answering the call told the caller that Mr.Greemy was away from his desk - and we thought no more about it.

Then we started getting more calls from other companies asking to speak to our Mr.Greemy as he was the person who dealt with utilities, investments, windows, car hire, computers, shelving and catering equipment. He soon also became responsible for advertising, website design, SEO, courier services, stationery, mobile telephones, septic tanks, promotional gifts and funeral services.

I gave our mysterious Mr.Greemy a first name - Enzo. When someone wanted to speak to the person responsible for (fill-in stupid and unnecessary goods or services here!) the cry went out for Enzo Greemy - except that Enzo Greemy was always out or on the loo or shopping or had his day off or was on holiday, visiting his estranged family in Scunthorpe.

On one memorable occasion, the caller was told that they had been patched through to the local cathedral. It was on the occasion of Mr.Greemy's funeral, I told the caller. He had died suddenly - shot by his gay lover. At that moment, my dog started whining to be let out for a pee.

"Oh dear!" I told the caller. "His wife is taking his death very badly!"

So the next time someone tells you that you need to buy this, subscribe to that, or you just need a bit of the other - tell them that they have to clear that with Enzo Greemy!

 

[James Eaton]

I don't think it matters that he cold called you; if you think your rates are high then listen to what he has to say and go with your gut.

We get these sorts of inquiries quite a lot however and I do question the likelihood of success

 

[deniser]

A long time ago, someone called us and asked to speak to Mr.Greemy. Why they asked for Mr.Greemy must remain a clouded mystery, but the person answering the call told the caller that Mr.Greemy was away from his desk - and we thought no more about it.

Then we started getting more calls from other companies asking to speak to our Mr.Greemy as he was the person who dealt with utilities, investments, windows, car hire, computers, shelving and catering equipment. He soon also became responsible for advertising, website design, SEO, courier services, stationery, mobile telephones, septic tanks, promotional gifts and funeral services.

I gave our mysterious Mr.Greemy a first name - Enzo. When someone wanted to speak to the person responsible for (fill-in stupid and unnecessary goods or services here!) the cry went out for Enzo Greemy - except that Enzo Greemy was always out or on the loo or shopping or had his day off or was on holiday, visiting his estranged family in Scunthorpe.

On one memorable occasion, the caller was told that they had been patched through to the local cathedral. It was on the occasion of Mr.Greemy's funeral, I told the caller. He had died suddenly - shot by his gay lover. At that moment, my dog started whining to be let out for a pee.

"Oh dear!" I told the caller. "His wife is taking his death very badly!"

So the next time someone tells you that you need to buy this, subscribe to that, or you just need a bit of the other - tell them that they have to clear that with Enzo Greemy!

Hilarious!!

 

[sarky]

Hi I hope this is the right section and apologies if not.

I keep getting a call from a guy from a company called Clements (I think) about how they can send surveyors out to value the property and how they can potentially gather some info and proof to then forward on to fight our case to lower our business rates.

I am sceptical as I just dont know much about it and also cant afford to pay anymore if it went the other way. I do have to say that I think our biz rates are extortionate!

He wants £140 upfront but if they think they do not have a case to fight then they call it a day and do not go any further and we also get a refund.
If they think there is a case then there is another 700 odd quid to pay later on and they also take a percentage of any savings of the first/initial year.

Anyone know about this or been through it, obviously im tempted but also wary.

Many thanks,

Maurizio.

I was conned a few years ago with this type of thing. Do not do it.

If you do use a firm, choose one that is registered with RICS. Also, a quick search showed 'no reduction, no fee' deals.