I will keep posting this as a reminder until it's worn out .......Here is a bit of information from the OFT below, office of fair trading that may help you all, these brokers can legally only keep £5 of any arrangement fee, where the application is not successful. So write to them sent by recorded delivery reminding them of their obligations, suggesting you will contact the OFT if the fee, minus £5 is not returned.----------------The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has reminded consumers who use credit brokers to find sources of credit that if they are not found a suitable loan within six months and don't take up any loan offered - for whatever reason - the broker can keep only £5 of the arrangement fee.
The OFT has found that some brokers are targeting disadvantaged consumers and not making them aware, until after the fee (usually around £50) is paid, that the prospective credit provider will only lend the consumer amounts less than they are asking for or that loans are only available with a guarantor.
It advises any consumer who isn’t happy with the credit agreement on offer from their broker to request in writing that the broker's fee be refunded, less £5.
Credit brokers cannot contract out of these provisions and any such terms within their contract may be void under the Consumer Credit Act. Brokers who fail to refund fees in these circumstances risk losing their consumer credit licence or face action under the Enterprise Act in order to ensure compliance in future.
Consumers who have difficulty obtaining a refund should contact their local trading standards service or the OFT.