WelshandProud

Hi Everyone, I have been contacted by 1st Contact about the new changes on pathway D and have decided to go for it, just wanted to know if anybody has used them before and do they recommend them as I have not heard of them before i would love some advise.

Thanks

Sunshine7

After phoning round many agents, we finally settled on 1st Contact. We have only just started our application, but so far they have been great in helping to sort out a few problems we were having, and they provide direct dial telephone numbers. If they have not been in when we have phoned, they have called us back very quickly.

Like I say, we have only just started out TRA but so far they have been great.

Also they offer a No Visa No Fee guarantee.

Alan Collett

Does 1st Contact have a MARA registered migration agent who is responsible for your application?

Best regards.

WelshandProud

Hi Alan, yes thay have a registered MARA agent who i checked on the mara website and that seems fine.

Alan Collett

- How many years of experience does the agent have? Although we all have to start somewhere, from what I can see the agent's registration number starts 08, which means the agent was first registered with the MARA this year.

- My concern with the commentary on this firm's website is the way it describes the company as being registered with the MARA. The reality is that companies cannot be registered with the MARA - individuals are.

- I am sceptical about no visa = no fee policies, not least because any agent who knows what they are doing and who is ethically sound should not take on a client who the agent knows (or has good reason to believe) is unable to obtain a visa. It is also my experience that the small print in the agent's terms and conditions letter makes it difficult for an unsuccessful client to claim under this policy => make sure you read the small print.

As always, I am happy to be corrected ...

Best regards.

WelshandProud

Thank you alan, you advise is very appreciated, i think personally i will go with a more well known agent then. This is why i thought id ask first. Would you mind if i approached yourself via your website as I have read some geat comments about yourself on here.

Thanks again

Alan Collett

Of course you may - feel able to send me a PM or an email.

I should add that I tend to be reticent about commenting on other agencies, but I am generally of the opinion that consumers should be informed before making a commitment and parting with their money.

Best regards.

Sunshine7

We have read the 1st Contact small print regarding the no visa no fee offer and everything seems spot on.

I have noticed the 08 registration and I also noticed that the two Go Matilda employees have an 07 registration and an 06 registration - just wondering how significant this is. In fact, one of the employees seems to have an entirely separate business based in Australia!

1st Contact did win an "In London" award in 2007 for their Visa services (not entirely sure what this is though).

Like I said, they have been really good so far, and I seem to remember reading recommendations for them somewhere on this forum. Good luck with whoever you choose.

Alan Collett

It is not significant at all, because the registered agents at Go Matilda (and all of our consultants generally) have the support of me (01 registration, and a professional practitioner for the last 16 years), and a team with many years of experience.

If you are comfortable with your decision as to your appointed advisors that's fine with me. I merely recommend that when appointing an agent you do your research and make an informed decision.

Best regards.

lovelyshine

Personally, I would contact a few and work with the one you are most comfortable with.

mary1967

I didn't use an agent, BUT, after talking to LOADS of people on here and hearing so many recommendations and positive comments, if i was gonna use an agent, i'd either pick ALAN COLLETT from GoMatlida or George Lombard.

I don't know what either charge, but peace of mind can never be over-priced.

WelshandProud

Thanks to all for your help it is greatly appreciated

PaddyHaHa

We used Go Matilda and I couldn't recommend them highly enough. We always had same day responses to any emailed questions we had, support and advice all the way through the process. I can't think of one single complaint.

thehowarths

Hi - we are using 1st contact for our migration (175 visa). We have been impressed by the service we have received, very thorough, although we are now on our 4th case officer - haven't spoken to the actual migration agent who is overall responsible for our case.

Also, I would check whether they are going to submit your application on-line or by post. We didn't realise that they would submit ours paper based and that it would affect the time it's taken to get the visa (we are still waiting - visa submitted last october).

It would be quite useful if there was a checklist of questions to ask the prospective agents.

weez75

We used 1st contact last year they got us through the process super quick and were unbelievably helpful and supportive i would definitely recommend them.:thum bsup: