Crystal Umbrella, www.crystalumbrella.com Reviews
Latest Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Still Awaiting Payment”
Written on: 05/08/2012 by JayJackson
They seemed pretty helpful at first, and setting up an account was a breeze. But after 2 months of my first contract I'm still awaiting payment and constantly having to chase them up.( I'm not sure what the personal account manager does?) Secondly, I tried to set up a new contract a few weeks back, but my employer got so annoyed with the amount of admin involved, the contract got cancelled. Thanks! (read more)
★★★☆☆
★☆☆☆☆
“Chronic Accounting Failures”
Written on: 03/04/2012
They seemed nice people, had (relatively) easy to use templates for handling invoices and expenses and paid regularly (if not always same day). However, I have had repeated issues with HMRC based on Crystal Umbrella failing to send documents to them: this included on "surprise tax bill" of over £2,000. Every time they say they will send a document to HMRC make sure you keep a copy for yourself, because no such letter will ever reach HMRC unless you go out and send it there yourself. This... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Avoid, avoid, avoid!”
Written on: 19/12/2011
Crystal Umbrella promise much. However, when you sign on, they dont explain all the deductions they make and this omission has cost me in the region of £5K from them taking employers national insurance on a monthly basis. The upshot is that there is an 'internal investigation' which I am still to hear the update from and I very much doubt they are going to do anything to help me or reimburse me. An underhand company with no customer service! (read more)
Wicked1978's Comment
Written on: 20/01/2012
All employers deduct Employers NI, or are you forgetting they are your employer?
All Umbrella's in the UK do exactly the same, why do you think agencies uplift your pay when you become a contractor, trust me its not out of the goodness of the hearts, it to fund / part fund NIC... I would read up on it before commenting in future!
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Bobrulestheworld's Comment
Written on: 20/01/2012
Nice comment!
Anybody with any common sense would be expected to be informed of all deductions prior to signing a contract which is precisely my point.
Perhaps you are the one with the intelligence problems!
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★★★★★
“Excellent, honest service and support”
Written on: 08/08/2011 by Josh78 (1 review written)
these guys are top.. never had any issues with them in over 3 years. The service is nothing like any other accountancy provider, you get a single person to speak to and they always answer the phone. My PA Annie is just brilliant, always calls me to see how Im doing and to remind me about time sheets or expenses that I may have submitted wrong or missing, always take time to speak to me as a person not a number. Already recommended Crystal to a few friends who so far havent moaned to me so... (read more)
Wicked1978's Response to Josh78's Review
Written on: 20/01/2012
I agree... I also have Annie as a PA and she's top! cant fault her or the service.. and I've used a few over the years. Staying with these guys for good!
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★★★★★
“Top website, excellent content which is really indepth...”
Written on: 24/03/2011
Top website, excellent content which is really indepth and clear, far surpasses a lot of the relatively rubbish Umbrella websites out there.
Called their sales lines and got a really helpful lady who was just as knowledgeable and informative as the website.
Thanks for your help guys, really appreciate it and will be sending a few mates who have had issues your way.
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Absolute joke. Not funny when you're on the end of it...”
Written on: 17/03/2011
Absolute joke. Not funny when you're on the end of it however. Same day payments that sometimes don't arrive as noted by a fellow contractor just before Xmas 2010, and a substantial cut in payments in the last few weeks apparently due to 'recent changes in legislation regarding the national minimum wage' that wasn't [and still isn't!] mentioned on their web site. Oh and they couldn't even be bothered to contact all contractors who use them on the contract in question. Some of those... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Have been with them for 3 months - was really easy...”
Written on: 15/03/2011
Have been with them for 3 months - was really easy everything is done online. My account manager kept in touch and answered any questions I had. Its nice to speak to the same person when I call in. She gives me a nudge now and then if I forget my receipts and I havent had any problems. I was recommended by one of my friends who's been with them for 6 months. (read more)
★★★★☆
“Really nice to see a company actually deliver on the...”
Written on: 02/03/2011
Really nice to see a company actually deliver on the service they promise.
My PA is lovely and always on hand to help.. Had a look at some other reviews on here and am dubious about their source as it's so far from what I experience.
You obviously need not to be a total numpty and need to know a bit about contracting.. I mean afterall you pay for payroll not bum wiping!
Give these guyss a go, I did and have been pleasantly suprised.
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Went into Administration November 2019, opened as a...”
Written on: 10/11/2010
Went into Administration November 2019, opened as a Phoenix operation the day after, this company is all that is bad in this industry. (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 21 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“It promise so much but in the end it just doesn't...”
Written on: 01/11/2010
It promise so much but in the end it just doesn't deliver. Having been with Crystal now for a couple of months, my initial experience (the signing up) was nothing but excellent. Then I was handed over to my PA and things just never worked. My contract was never fully setup, which meant that I couldn't submit my timesheet. Getting useful feedback regarding my problems was near impossible. And the 'convenient' portal to upload your timesheets/expenses is appaling. Today I've seen a portal from... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“They make always mistakes. You need to be really aware...”
Written on: 12/07/2010
They make always mistakes. You need to be really aware when they send you a contract or any paper: wrong dates, wrong client's name they have a really go sales department and a cheap rates with some good facilities but the service is terrible. Never let them do something before a double check. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I would avoid Crystal Umbrella like the plague. Month...”
Written on: 29/09/2009
I would avoid Crystal Umbrella like the plague. Month after month, without fail, they made mistakes that meant my payments were delayed. Worst of all, their "customer service" was non-existent - they were completly un-bothered about sorting any of it out. Have since moved to parasol who have been brilliant - in a totally different league. (read more)
Maloty's Comment
Written on: 16/02/2010
I found this review not helpful because... its a blag!!
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★★★★☆
“PA very helpful. Relatively few problems with Crystal...”
Written on: 28/01/2009 by LyPA
PA very helpful. Relatively few problems with Crystal Umbrella. Only problem I have had is forgetting to send a receipt for my hotel accommodation. I sent this later but missed that weeks pay run. It was added into the following week. My PA sorted this out for me and called me when promised to keep me informed. They have been very good about chasing my agency for payments which have been a bit slow at times. Now my PA gets then to email a remit every week and I get paid before they do! (read more)
★★★★☆
“Crystal Umbrella. I'm new to contracting but was...”
Written on: 23/01/2009
Crystal Umbrella. I'm new to contracting but was recommeded to try these guys.. Staff are really helpful and certainly know their stuff! I like their website, very professional and shows that they must be quite an established firm. Closed at weekends (read more)
★★★★★
“Crystal Umbrella has excellent Customer service, Very...”
Written on: 22/01/2009 by wicked1978 (1 review written)
Crystal Umbrella has excellent Customer service, Very fast payments as process before cleared funds received from agency. Always helpful and informative. Staff are very friendly. Crystal Umbrella are a good honest company, not all companies are like that! Been with Crystal Umbrella for just under 2 years and have had no real problems with them. They offer a fast very cost effective service which is better than a lot of the competition and I have used a lot of em. My PA is a darling, always... (read more)
★★★★★
“I have used Crystal Umbrella for over 12 months now...”
Written on: 22/01/2009 by Maloty (1 review written)
I have used Crystal Umbrella for over 12 months now and they had a few problems a while ago when they had a new system installed but now their service is second to none and my PA will do anything she can to help. (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“I was with them for just over a year, during which...”
Written on: 29/10/2008 by rztaylor (1 review written)
I was with them for just over a year, during which time they failed to pay one of my payments. It was only when I raised the issue that they realized that they'd failed to pay me over £1000. In addition, although they deducted the tax at source, they didn't send it to HMRC until after the years deadline - causing me to pay over £700 in interest (and again, I had to contact them to find out why HMRC were charging me interest). They still haven't refunded the interest payments. Finally, to... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Reliable payments, personal rep ”
Written on: 11/06/2008 by divinitymedia (1 review written)
Reliable payments, personal rep
I've just come out of my working contract with crystal umbrella. I'd totally recommend them to any IT contractors. Top Notch service so thanks guys!
(read more)
★★★★★
“Crystal Umbrella used to be called nolongerlimited who...”
Written on: 28/04/2008 by James Hatfield (2 reviews written)
Crystal Umbrella used to be called nolongerlimited who I've always used to process my payments.. I was a little surprised when they rebranded but the service they are giving seems to be going from strength to strength.
The experience of working with you folks has been a true eye opener. The advice, support and overall professionalism of the whole service is something to be admired. I have already recommended colleagues, friends and businesses to engage with using you folks.. Keep up the...
(read more)
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Showing 11 - 20 of 21 Reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
“I left them. ”
Written on: 16/04/2008 by FFan (5 reviews written)
I left them.
Asked for a p45 to be sent out. I got sent a comment card asking for details about who I was using next, where Id go, why I was leaving. The usual nonsense.
BUT they refused to send my p45 until I completed all this stuff as far as I am concerned.
My emails started bouncing back and my emails go unanswered, so I guess Im still registered with them despite my repeated requests to leave.
Very uncommunicative when you need something doing.
Still haven't received my P45.
I do not...
(read more)
Labtec1's Response to FFan's Review
Written on: 07/05/2008
I've never had an issue getting through to Crystal Umbrella.. they are closed at the weekend but I've always had a response almost immediately from them...
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 20/01/2012
This comment is ridiculous and obviously false.. of course they deduct NIC's as do all employers! Who do think is going to pay this, the tax fairies!! get real..
Your obviously not bright enough to be a contractor "Guest"