Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove

NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE.Tried to call several times and was on hold for hours.Phone line says drop-in service no longer available but website states it is. Took a gamble and travelled to Hove in the hopevit was open.Turned up at 9:25am for drop in which website states is open from 9:30-12:30 only to be told 6 people had already turned up and that's the maximum they see in a day...! So, I would not be seen and had wasted time and money getting there. Was also told their online service is down so basically, there is no way of contacting them by phone, in person or electronically. Apparently they cannot get volunteers to operate the services.Whilst I understand it is difficult to recruit volunteers the website and phone should be updated and state that unless you are one of the first 6 then don't bother travelling to get there and expect to be seen! To say the service is atrocious is an understatement. Utterly disappointed with the service and would definitely not recommend. AVOID!!!!!

Not my first rodeo being sent in circles by c.a.b but heres a new one for ya... spend 45 minutes on hold to finally get through to someone on the national line for energy. They said to call the local branch at Hove because they can set me up with a free half an hour chat with a solicitor. HA!The hove branch number only gives you automated options, no option to hold the line and nothing relevant to legal. If you go through the automated menu to speak with someone about energy/consumer stuff as I was you just end up back on hold to speak with the same people that you started with who directed you to Hove. Good work guys!Update in response to the reply they've given here... thats simply not true. Ive been through each of the processes you've laid out many times and there isnt even a way of staying on hold. It repeats the menu 3 or 4 times and hangs up. Plus getting back to us in a few days using the online form...joke.

Andrew was so helpful and sorted the forms out for me, professional

Tried calling thru a handful of times. Never, I repeat, Never have had my call picked up. Even requested a call back on their Web page. Spent at least 2 and half hours on hold over these calls. An idea for you... As your drop in is still closed due to a virus that most people have forgotten about, why not employ more people to answer phones so the general public can actually get the advice we desperately need...

Phoned on the dot Wednesday at 9am and no one answered. Tried to use the online chat, no one was available. Feels like no one wants to help, made me feel very alone.

They useless but 15 yrs ago they were amazing

Was told I'd hear from them in 5 working days for something of which is very important to me.That was 3 weeks ago.No answer on the phone.Went to Hove town hall only to be told by (what I thought was) the receptionist they didn't do walk-ins. I proceeded to tell her that they do as I read it one the website and I was there at the correct time. She remarked 'Oh right well we are really busy today'. I accepted this and asked to book an appointment. She said she couldn't. I asked why and she replied 'I'm not actually the receptionist, I'm a volunteer so I don't really know how to' then told me to come back on Monday when the 'Real' receptionist is there. I asked if she could help at all, she simply replied 'No, sorry'.You couldn't write it. Absolutely shockingly unreal.Really upset that the very moment the public are maybe entitled to something we are given a service that's impossible to work.If we owe anything, different story.Total shambles

Worst service. Nobody ever respond. Although I go through the online chat about another channel, but he failed to transfer me to a general complaint, because there is no one available.My problem has existed already more than one year, still haven’t been solved. Good luck with your telephone call, it might go through at the end of world.

I called promptly at 9.30am and my call was answered straight away by a very patient and professional man called Nick. He spent about 40 mins going through everything with me and arranged a phone interview for me in two days to discuss my queries at greater length. My experience was a very positive one and I am very grateful for this free service.

Please provide update of waiting time to give realistic expectations....phone 3 times, 30 mins each time. Gave Up....Exhausted.The first time I have ever phoned the CAB. When you make the call you are already stressed by the situation that you are calling about. This is compounded by waiting endlessly for someone to answer the phone. The call line gives no indication about wait times or where you are in the cue... I tried the national helpline and they said that they couldn't answer the call. I gave up!