Thursday, 12 January 2012

Investors responses.

We have decided (with everyone's permission) to post some of the responses we have had so far. we would like to thank them all for their fantastic support and will keep posting them as they come in.



1.

Hi Liam,

Feel free to use any of comments as you see fit....................

 
I made the decision to invest with Collins & Bone over 3 years ago. I made the decision to invest because I believed I could make more money, (notice the use of the word "I").This has not worked out but it was my decision to invest and mine alone, nobody put a gun to my head.

I am disappointed that my investment has not been successful but I find it absolutely amazing that some people want to blame anybody but themselves for the decisions that THEY THEMSELVES have made. If they wanted a “failsafe” investment then they should have put their money in a bank, Northern Rock maybe?!!!!

The anti Collins & Bone blogging campaign that is happening now is totally counter-productive and is merely letting the negative people “vent their spleen”. I am not a blogger and never will be as I personally believe this is a communication format for cynical, sarcastic, negative and generally irresponsible people who need to get a life.

I really can not afford to lose my investment and would like it all, or some of it, back to re-invest somewhere else, therefore I do need to be able to ask questions of Collins & Bone. Fortunately, this has always been possible and whilst I might not like some of the answers to my questions, nobody is running away.


Regards
Pete





2.

Hi Liam,

You have my support and my belief in your honesty. I do believe that you and Davey will honour your commitment. I hope Sally & Jasmine will see it this way also and allow you to generate capital from property, which will be to every bodies benefit.

Tony

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3.


Hi Liam,

I have read the blogs, but haven’t commented or added anything to them. I signed the 5 year Promissory note because I want you to trade your way out of this situation and I liked the link with Rob and Jo who I spoke to a few times.

Would It be an option to sell a good number of those properties on your books and pay off the Investors with any money left once the banks/building societies had taken their cuts. The problem with the investors is that they won’t go away until they get resolution and I know you’re trying as hard as you can to find it

Kind Regards

Jonathan

4.

Liam Dan here sorry to here the bad news and to be honest i always taught there would be a sucessful outcome to this,just wondering do you think their can be anything salvaged at this late stage and can i help in any way,you might come back to me
yours sincerely Dan


5.

Dear Liam
When I first contacted you about investment it was the first time I had learned to e-mail and interact on the computor so my knowledge is very limited I dont know how to send documents or photos etc, I still dont, we all started somewhere  but what I do know is how to support someone who like all of us makes mistakes and admits to them. Not many people in this day and age have a moral compass to guide them most just cut and run but with all the communication and openess I feel that you are doing your best to put things right. I have no idea what you must be going through especially with family members involved, you must feel that you have let so many people down. I know how that feels, when I finally had to  tell my husband what had happened to his money that he trusted me to invest for him I thought he would go ballistic but he didnt he held me and said its all the money that we have but whats most important is we have each other, we  are together, I didnt realise how much he loved me, he thought I was going to tell him I had cancer or something and when I told him that I had some bad news.  I am not happy about losing £50,000 but theres no point in looking back and saying what if, its gone, move on and learn from it and try and put things right if possible, thats what your trying to do and we must work together if anything can be recovered or rebuilt. If you want to use this letter to show how we are all in the same boat and are all facing the same problem you are welcome.
 Regards Dianne



6.
Sorry to hear the sad news Liam. 

David and yourself are obviously high achievers in all areas of your lives and what has happened just seems to be one of the negatives of that type of personality. I'm sure you will both go on to achieve greater and better things in the future, with your knowledge, experience and contacts. 

I look forward to receiving that 15k cheque sometime in the future (hopefully!).

All the best for the future and don't let the b------s ground you down.

Regards,

John



7.

Hi Liam, just to say thank you for this.  Sorry you're being given such a hard time.  Fiona


8.

Hi, Liam,

Well, I'm very sorry about all this of course.

I don't know how I can help, probably I can't. As you know I have funds to invest in a house purchase but can't mortgage on HMO anymore, because I'm now an expat and we took too long to process the deal. No hard feelings, it was always going to be a push to get it all done in a month.

Now with that behind us, I asked Mark  if he'd consider selling me one of the houses with much more discount, and I'd make it a straight purchase with no mortgage. At least I'd get my money back, and remain a client of yours also...

Not sure whether Mark got the email.

I'm unclear from your recent email whether C&G will continue to trade etc... so that really is up to you to tell me. As you know I've tried to be pragmatic and flexible, I will continue to be the same.

I'm so sorry to lose my money. Altogether, I've lost £300 000+ since I've tried to make money with property. I feel a lot of shame for the impact this now has on my family, because it really has. 80% of what I've done has been a disaster. As a family man with Kids, having wasted such a big part of their inheritance, is a feeling of deep shame I can't describe to you quite clearly. Certainly it affects my self esteem a lot, so I hope time will make it a bit smoother on me and I can focus on something else.

Anyway, I know you've been brave, more transparent than most and honorable, so I'm watching this space. I'm ready to consider any option you would like to try.

All the best.
William



9.

Hi Liam, good for you, when the going gets tough, as the song goes!

I have no doubt that you will come through the challenge, it's bound to take time, but with the lessons that you now have in your armoury you should be well placed to succeed.

As I said, I'm very happy to do what I can to support your initiative, so very happy to be quoted as you feel appropriate.

Keep on trucking!

All the best

Simon


10.

Hi Liam,

Thanks for this disappointing news, a real shame when so many people were willing to commit to a sensible and pragmatic work out of what is a very difficult trading position. It is though extremely hard to secure a consensus position across such a disparate group of people, many of whom only ever really wanted a hands off investment based on the "good times" that would never end. We all know differently now of course!

It would certainly be good to see you guys get back up on your feet again and work out some longer term plans to get yourselves back into the black. I would be happy to do what I can to support you in your endeavours, and, as you say, it would be even better if people could just let you get on with it!

Best wishes for the coming months, and I look forward to seeing and hearing how things take shape for you and your not insignificant group of wellwisher investors.

Kind regards

Simon


11.

Hello Liam,
I am sorry to hear about the problems and worries these bloggers are causing you. even though like other investors you have not paid me back any of my investment you have kept us up to date and I beleive that you were trying your hardest to get into a position to repay us. Are the bloggers and the ones trying to bankrupt you so stupid to work out that scammers do not keep intouch with the people they have taken money from, they just disappear and start another scam. Also can they not work out that waiting five years then getting the mney is better than never getting the money back or are they in a position where they don't care about the money just revenge (sad people they should get a life)! 

I do not have the finance behind me that not having the money I invested with you has stopped my other business growing but I was/am willing to trust in you and your honesty to eventually pay the money back.

I am not sure where the blog is but if you let me know I will add some of these comments to it so the bloggers will know my feelings. Or if there is any way I might be able to help please let me know.

Regards,
Craig

12.

Hi Liam

I would just like to say how sorry i am that this has happened. I commend you for all your efforts in trying to put things right . Obviously losing our investment makes things difficult as that was part of our retirement fund and we would like to get as much of it as possible back.. I wish you luck and hope you can make the bloggers see sense.

Best wishes
Jacqui



13.
Thank you for the time to respond at such length Liam.
As we have both agreed, the passage of time will show who is right, and who is wrong in this. We can do nothing in the short term but wait and see.
I have never suspected you of anything devisive, just guilty of genuine business mistakes.
You have also been swimming upstream in a bad climate.
That is why I signed the five-year deal to give you the breathing space. My stance on that has not changed.
If, in the fullness of time I am proved wrong in my judgement, and the bloggers are correct in most of what they say, then I will question my faith in humanity.

The bottom line however is, if you gamble, speculate, and fail with your own money, then that is unfortunate. When other people's money is involved, then you are bound to incur the wrath of some and possibly, even legal penalties.
That is what you're seeing right now.
Regrettably, your personal circumstances, however grand or humble, will count for nothing to those people who "want blood" as you put it..
I'm sitting tight and getting by, as indeed are you. I'm not exactly dancing on the street but I am playing with a rock band, doing a bit of commentary and the odd exhibition.
The easy route to wealth has always eluded me. That's the real world here in Shropshire.
Take it easy!
Barry.


14.

Hello Liam, I haven't had a chance to reply to your email yet but for my part I have always felt like this was a two way street and that the only way for us all to win in the end was to collectively support your (c&b's) efforts. Thank you for all your work and I feel sad that the minority of people have been frankly rather selfish. We all share the same frustrations but to shout and get mean about it is not the way to resolve it. 

I will read you emails in more detail when I have time and thank you again for taking the time to write them.

Kind Regards, 

Oliver

15.

Dear Liam

What sad news – how short sighted your opponents are.  It is a serious loss to me also but if I can add my voice to help you in any way just let me know.

With kind regards
Dawn


16.
Dear Liam and David,

I've now read all of this through properly - I cannot believe that these two bloggers and the other person could be so selfish and stupid - to what possible end???  I cannot see any sensible motive.

It's devastating for you both, I'm sure.  However, I'm also sure that you will be successful again in the future - not a lot of comfort at the moment I guess.

For myself, it's a sort of nest egg gone, but I'll just have to stay healthy and keep working!

I hope you'll keep in touch - I deliberately haven't tried to keep contacting you because I thought you probably had enough to mither you without me bothering you all the time.  So, perhaps not an active friend but certainly I've always felt friendly goodwill to you both and that continues along with my best wishes for the future.

I just want to re-inforce that I did sign and send the letter you wanted signing - I would hate you to think I was dragging my feet or causing problems.

Will this continue to be the best email to contact you on or would I contact C and G direct if I were able to invest in the future?

Take care both of you - these are very stressful times for you and a very poor reward for all your efforts to sort us all out.

Fiona
xx

17.

Hi Liam,

Sorry to hear about that. Let's meet in London and we can chat things through. We may be able to help 

Kathryn 


18.

Hi Liam

Sorry to learn the very disappointing news. I know how hard you & Davey have strived to make this work. We always knew that we were up against the likes of Jasmine & Sally. It is to both of your credit that we have lasted this long.

Do you have any plans in place moving forward? Or is it a case of re-grouping & taking each day as it comes? Perhaps now is not the time to be asking.

Should you wish to talk things through, I’m sure I speak for Rob when I say, that our doors are as always open & remain so at all times.

Best regards.

Joe


19.

Dear Liam

I hope you have good luck with future plans and I greatly appreciate that you anticipate paying investors back.

Kind regards
M B


21.
Liam,

I am very sorry to hear this....You have seemingly both invested a lot of time and energy into your company over the last 10 years.  I cannot imagine what it must feel like to have this come to an end it such a sad way.  Obviously I am very angry at the utter selfishness of the 3 investors who have brought this upon you/us.....Despite his threats & some legal action in the past, Paul S assured me that it was not him who began legal proceedings against C&B this time round.  I hope this is the case!

I can appreciate your moral stance on wanting to still repay us all back.  Like everybody, I would really appreciate it if you would continue to provide us regular updates and how & when you would go about doing this.  Friends who know about my dealings with you/CBS would laugh, but I still believe in you both!

With Kindest Regards

Gerald



22.

Dear Liam
I was going to say happy new year but maybe thats not appropriate.
It is sad to note what is going on but at the end of the day what exactly will be happening now, will I still get some money back? I note your email finishes on with a penultimate paragraph which suggests you will still be repaying but this will now be more difficult if you are bankrupt will it not?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Peter  

23.

Dear Liam,   We have read your last e-mail with much concern.  It is indeed very unfortunate that your plan to resolve repayment of  investment has been thwarted; is this irrevocible.  Would you please tell us precisely, if this is so, how will it effect my husband and I and our investment.     What will be the final outcome.
We look forward to your reply.  Your sincerely,  Doreen.



24.

Hi Liam.
I am devastated to hear that. Very sorry for yourselves and all invloved. For me, 15k is a big chunk to lose but it's not the end of the world. However, if you ever become a multi millionaire (wouldn't surprise me) you may want to throw a few crumbs my way!!

I have recently built a small two bedroom house and sold it within three weeks. Starting the second one in a fortnights time and have a buyer lined up already. Using some savings and a wad of credit cards i have basically turned £100,000 into £248,000 (once second one is sold) in just over one year. For me, this is the way forward during these difficult financial times....no need for mortgages, worrying about equity release, credit scores, failed DP's etc etc. Get them built to a high standard and sold for hard cash. End of story.

Anyway Liam, all the best man...really wish things had turned out different.

Rgds,
Mike.


25.

Sorry to hear this Laim, you seem like two hard working guys and I for one wanted to help – this may not be as bad as it seems if you take your friendly clients along with you and over time repay money. There is not greater proof of integrity than people repaying money that they are not legally obliged to do.

If, in the future, a potential investor has doubts about you and they can be referred to scores of people who are being repaid on the basis of a moral (not legal) commitment, then there could be no higher statement of your integrity. People like that are the ones I would want to deal with. An “army “ of people prepared to vouch for you is quite a thing – you repay people money like that and you will have incredible loyalty; so it’s definitely not all bad news.

Regards, Michael




26.

Hi Liam, complements to the season and hope you've had a good NY's. 

Thanks for the detailed email and the patience throughout this process. 

I am in SA at the moment and am back in 2 weeks time. 

You are probably engulfed in emails, but when things calm down i would like to sit down with you and discuss another option re the funds I have with you and their recovery. 

thanks


27.

Hi Liam,

I am gutted, so C&B is no more, the bankruptcy has finished the possibility of your trading your way out of this through the C&B vehicle. OK but all along I have put my faith in the person you are and your promise to reimburse investors so the fact that you can no longer use C&B as a means to this end is not the end of the world. Can you detail how you and Davey intend to return our investment and any impact this will have on the 5 year time frame.
Not an auspicious start to the New Year but let’s look on the bright side nobody is dead and you and Davey are the same people you have always been so the only change is the repayment vehicle. Here’s to a Phoenix like rise from the ashes of C&B.

Tony


28.

Liam,
That is bloody annoying! I have been waiting patiently in the background not fully understanding your financial situation but hoping that eventually funds would be repaid. Remember we met in the Covent Garden coffee bar a long way back after an introduction by Joe  (presumably he’s taken a big hit)? It seems so unfair that a couple of people can decide the fate of the majority. Hopefully one day you will be in a position to repay our faith in your project from the moral perspective you mention.

Good luck,
Martin

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29.

Hello Liam

This is sad news indeed. What does this mean for the rest of us? How are you planning to make profit to cover your exposure when you have been made bankrupt?

It would be good to grab a coffee with Patrick and myself next week to talk about this.

Thanks


Agis



30.
Hi Liam,

This not only sad news, its bloody annoying and I'd personally like to strangle those 3 investors and the 2 bloggers. I guess with the number of investors you have it was almost inevitable that at least one would lack the foresight to sign up to the 5 year plan.

I wish you well and hopefully may hear from you in the future.


Regards
Pete

31.

Dear Liam

I just wanted to drop you a line to say how terribly sorry I am to hear this news.  There is of course the concern over the repayment of sums to me but over and above that this is about you and David being treated in a horrible way by those three people.  Whatever the strengths and weaknesses of the business model you were operating you have shown yourselves to be men of integrity, fairness and morals.  You have shown time and time again commitment to do the right thing.  In this day and age such qualities are in short supply but from the dealings I have had with you these have been exemplified so clearly.  It is so very sad that events have gone the way they have.  I can but only begin to imagine the blow it must be to you and those close to you.  Please take some comfort in that you have striven to do the right thing and at least some people recognise that.

Some of the greatest entrepreneurs have hit low times like these.  They have bounced back and got the success they deserved.  You will bounce back and get the success you deserve.  In the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

With my very best wishes
Trevor


32

Hi Liam,

What a couple of vindictive, selfish girls!  You must be gutted after all the effort you have put
into keeping things going.
I'd certainly do business with you and Davey should the opportunity arise.
Is there anything I can do with the 2 Manchester properties in terms of selling
to free up cash to reinvest with you both to make a return for us all?
These 2 girls may feel better by gaining 'revenge' but what they have done is essentially take any chance we had away from us.
Good luck to you both.
Paul




33.

Hello Liam
I am so sorry to hear this devastating news,  as you say we were all so close to the finish line and a brighter future. I hope the other investers will stick by you in thought and good wishes and that you and David pick yourselves up and try to build rebuild your reputation. On the money side of investment as you say you are not obligated but an honest conscience is always easier to sleep with and a return of investment when able would be most welcome. Best regards Dianne.


34.

Hi Liam

It is disappointing to hear your news, although you obviously must be more disappointed than most. As you say one selfish individual can spoil things for everyone. It seems as if you have already looked at all possible options for continuing the business. Your honesty and integrity have been appreciated during what has been an incredibly difficult time.

You mention that a return will still be possible in the not too distant future. Can you expand on this? Where will this come from, what level of return will it be and in what time-scale?

I am keen to do whatever I can to be supportive and would appreciate updates whenever possible.

Best regards

Maz Ali


35.

Hi Liam,

Sorry to hear about this it is obviously a large blow to us but if you saying you are still going to attempt to pay everyone back in the future then all the power to you. Good luck and I hope the bloggers eventually see that their forum is not helping any of us.

Rob

36.

Dear Liam,

As investors, we all know the risks when making an investment. Unfortunately this venture has not proven successful, but as they say in life “it’s just one of those things”. The hurdles that businesses have had to face over the last few years have been incredibly difficult due to the economic climate, but we thank you for your efforts in trying to replenish our investment.

We are more than happy to stand by you in the future in order for this capital to be repaid, rather than actively work against you.

Wishing you every success for the future.

BN & DN  


37.

Hi Liam,

I'm sorry to hear that some people could not see the bigger picture, to go into bankruptcy doesn't help anyone
nobody likes to lose money me especially.
I'm one of those people that doesn't kick a person while he's down.
I was hoping like many others  that we'd get out of this over the 5 years.
The problem i have is righting that kind of money off has a bad investment, It does sound like your a fighter and i think you and your partner will come back stronger and wiser after this.
For people writing bad press on blogs is a poor do and very small minded, I for one will not be reading it.
I'll be honest with you Liam i did get legal advice before i signed the 5 year plan,The  best advice was to sign and sit it out so i did.obviously some people didn't get good advice 
The only way i see it is if I'm ever to see my investment again  and you are true to your word is for people to stop bad mouthing you and let you get on with business so you can pull yourself out of this set back in your carrier.

 Regards
                 Peter L 

38.

Dear Liam,

The events which have overtaken C&B have been unfortunate and expensive for me as an investor, but I have confidence in your integrity as an individual and would much rather try to work with you in order to seek a remedy in the future than have any chance of that destroyed by pursuing a more confrontational legal course.  You might find the US more forgiving for new ventures!

Best wishes,

Andrew



39.

Dear Liam, my investment of £50,000 is 90% of my savings, I cant afford to lose it any more than anyone else, BUT I  have every confidence that that you will get back as much as you can for me and you have my full support,
Regards
Terry

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40.

Liam,

Sorry I haven’t emailed back till now. I have no time at the moment so I will contact you by phone soon. You have my backing, this has been difficult for everyone involved and I will offer my support going forward.

Speak soon

Ashley

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41.

Liam, 

we admire your courage and determination to keep fighting. Of course, I am disappointed about what happened in the past and it has been a struggle for us and very upsetting. However I know you genuinely want to pay all our money and every other investor's money back. I still believe you can do it...if anyone can keep going against adversity it is you! Good luck.

Bryony



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42.


hi liam, 

Sorry have just looked at all my emails, do not have regular access to computer.

I am lost for words, I am really upset foy myself and you guys. David Bone and yourself have been good to me. I wish I could help

in any way, the people who have done this, I wish I could talk to them. 

I have suffered Bell's Palsy, one side of my face having a paralysis, I have struggled financially so much that I have survived and still do. 

I will be honest with you, I have changed my whole lifestyle, I am still in big debt, I have 2 children, our weekly budget is so low one would 

not believe me if I was to tell them, my wife cuts my hair, I've sold my computer, finished phone lines, mobile contracts, everything. 

But I did not want to do this to you guys, because I am not a greedy person, I just thank god I survive and am living. 


I really dont know what or where I stand with all this now, please do keep be informed. I cannot guarantee immediate replies because 

I do not have my own computer, hope you understand. If and when you can help me, please I will appreciate it.


Osman



43.

To add to anything I have already said, I have been encouraged and impressed by your own good faith - keeping in touch, paying a bit when you said you would (mostly), and above all being responsible via your clean communications.
Not dodging the blame and the implications.
The marks of honest men.
Who will - I trust - repay everything owed in due course. As anything else would compromise your undoubted integrity.
Best wishes, and good luck
James 

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