Good morning all. I also have not heard back beyond the initial e-mail from Sheffield.
I'd definitely have to agree that there wasn't a document check in the way I expected, we went through everything but it felt more like it was just to check for originals and that they didn't really know what I needed. A major concern I'm having right now, in addition to potentially not having all of my documents submitted, is that the copies are what they scanned. I made them initially to mail in with my originals figuring they'd see them first hand and some of the copies being black and white wouldn't be a big deal. Now that is all they have, I'm anxious. It DOES say that the service includes certification of originals but this is not what I figured that meant. I'm still hoping that if it's called in to question, the premium office will be able to vouch for their authenticity as they did check them.
As far as assistance filling out forms, you have to already have it done to submit that day really so I can't see how that would work either.
For the other claims they make on this service so far:
Priority: It does say that gold apps are placed in front of the queue, I'd expect that to be the very front but we'll see.
Document & App check: No app check, and definitely didn't check that included what I needed to.
Certification of originals: Also not what I expected. If I had not made my own copies, I would have had to come back for my original documents. They were not prepared for the amount of documentation the settlement visa requires and mine was absolutely minimal.
Keep Passport: This is an option, but you have to get it back to them in time to apply the vignette and they have no idea as to when that will occur OR if you can in fact, enter the UK while applying.
Courier Service: They scan everything to Sheffield. As far as I know, that doesn't cost them anything to do. However, they did say they will courier my passport/documents to me "free of charge" and that's "if I can't get back out there" haha.
I didn't ask about the text thing and wasn't offered info., but they did give me an e-mail address for the Seattle office and told me I would be able to contact them with questions etc. Maybe I should do that...
So I'd say, given time to reflect on it all, it doesn't appear to be worth it. If I hear back like, today, I might feel differently lol.
I sort of knew what I was doing, but bottom line for this to be worth it based on what they claim to offer is, they need at least 2 appointments for the general applicant paying for this service. The first to get the gist of the applicant's specific situation and make a list of documents they will need, and help them fill in the application and forms or at least, guide them through the questions they will encounter if not ready to submit. And the second obviously to submit docs and do biometrics.
Many people will be coming from other states so maybe an initial phone appointment or a reliable e-mail contact from the outset, at the very least.
Sorry for the wall of text there!