To wonder if people's suspicions of financial planners are founded

[necromumda]

I am thinking I need the help of an independent FP but I'm getting so much negativity, paranoia and general naysays from family and friends re seeing one.
Whats the deal? Are there such things as INDEPENDENT FPs and should I be concerned?
Any good or bad experiences?

No experience of needing one, however I know one and he is the most disorganised, cunning and devious person who conned his own family out of a lot of money. I feel
Sorry for anyone who has done business with him. But that said my FIL uses a financial adviser who he was has been great.

Go to an IFA, they are genuinely independent (by law they have to be) and they can suggest the best option for you based on your needs, not the best 'fit' from their own products. If you pay a flat fee, then commission doesn't come into the picture either.

Sunseed thanks for explaining about the critical illness. I totally agree that it is something an IFA should raise and would in fact be negligent not to.

But the 2 IFAs not only raised it and even after I explained why I did not want to buy it, were like dogs with a bone, not taking 'no' as an answer from me and continuing to push it. I found that quite disconcerting.

There are other expensive insurance policies like PPI and income protection, which I also declined but not sure what it is about critical illness ...