Do the recent emails show a disturbing trend?

PaulJM

...Might just be me this...
I've been receiving the MS email for a few years now, and have always been confident in the integrity of the stuff that is sent out- I still don't doubt it, but does anyone feel that it's getting less 'editorial attention'?

I'm thinking about this weeks, for example. The headline reads "...summer holiday 2 for 1 at theme parks...inc Alton towers.." but most of the things there are a con! The Walkers promotion is rubbish - we are a family of 4, we don't eat loads of crisps but we eat some, I'm not a health freak but we've not collected enough points for anything useful! The Tetley promotion has hardly any vouchers available.
I just don't think it's in the spirit of the site.
Also noticed the laptop deals - most of these state the cheapest deal - that's really not the one that will save you money.
The stated Acer laptops are, in my opinion as a repairer - not cash efficient when compared to the 'bigger makes' I'm being careful here to not say anything potentially liabilous - but I think you catch my drift. I think you might need to replace them more often! Remember is worth looking at Sony, Toshiba, etc.

It's not the fact that I think the site is now trying to rip people off...it's that I think it's not as controlled as should be - it's maybe looking a little commercial - and I've never thought that before...I guess I have for a few weeks now.

chopperharris

youve been here for a few years and only had 7 posts in that time , well obviously you know too much about everything.Unsubscribe from the newsletter then , simple.

Ive used acer and as far as medium bracket higher end budget its ok , and for those on budgets , ie moneysavers its fine....you are a badge follower , some of the brands are made in the same factory as acers and at construction level are using the same mobo , screen , and internals.Being in the game for years , i find your direction towards premium brands laughable and obviously unfounded other than snobbery exposing itself from under the raincoat of ignorance.Sony and tosh have had millions lost in recalls of batteries and psus.

you get conned with most promotions for anything , if you dont find them advantageuos then once again the answer is simple .... dont take them.

your complaining in the wrong place , if you dont liek the promotions then complain to the promoters , not the helpful people that give you the heads up.

to say you dont like the site and is commercialising sounds like a smear campaign , there is once again a very simple answer ..... and i think you know what it is.

and dont forget the lights.

sparkleworld

Please remember you can't please all of the people all of the time!

Regarding the Crisps promotion, we too don't eat an awful lot of crisps but I have still accrued enough points thanks to this site and links from this sites for this promotion to be more than worthwhile! In fact I think I have only purchased one multi pack of walkers crisps and that was because they were on a BOG OF deal! But I still have ....hang on let me check......125 points!!! More than worthwhile IMHO!

Regarding laptops and other information I am currently considering a laptop and find ANY information/guidance helpful in helping me make my final choice Its not as if "one size fits all".

The e-mail changes every week and in the current economy climate we are experiencing it will probably be more difficult to find companies who are prepared to be overly generous with their promotions/give a ways and huge discounts (loss leaders) as they too need to protect their profit margins.

Since joining this site a little over a year ago my financial situation has improved vastly and I for one do appreciate the information contained in the e-mail each week.

If you feel you have more relevant/ better advice to offer please feel free to offer it by posting your findings, but please don't just winge because the editorial content/criteria wasn't good enough for you in a certain week.

*rant over*

Regards
*Sparkle*

PaulJM

I had a feeling I might get replies like the first one on this type of forum - people are very protective and don't like things challenged, or other opinions put forward. The view that I don't want to hear from the site, or receive emails is stupid - Just because I challenge it, doesn't mean I don't like it.

The second reply was far less insular - thanks

I don't chase brands, I've got deals on brands far better than the cheap makes - and yes, like it or not, I've had lots of issues with cheapers makes - you're far better getting a good, cheap deal froma better quality manufactorer.
I'll stick with my veiw, and you stick with yours.
I wouldn't expect to get any decent replies even lightly criticising something like this. It's like a little club.
I'll still enjoy the emails and site though - but I'll always have an open mind.

Oh - and don't forget to criticise my spelling - that's usually the next step.

PaulJM

'Raincoat of ignorance' - Genus :beer: . Also slightly pretentious and irritating.

Bamber19

chopperharris wrote: »

youve been here for a few years and only had 7 posts in that time , well obviously you know too much about everything.Unsubscribe from the newsletter then , simple.

You don't need to be vocal to want to get good deals or promotions. Look at some of the posters who've been here for years and have thousands of posts, a very small proportion of those posts are about Money Saving, the majority being in DT or the Arms. You can also receive the newsletter without being a forum member. Very few of my posts are about moneysaving, the majority are on the Vent board, but i still read grabbit and the Shop but don't drop boards and find them insightful.

That said I don't agree with this user, especially the latter part of their post.

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hiya

Just to say, we welcome feedback on the site and the email, whether it's good or bad.

About the deals note, as we have over two million people getting the email, we try to find deals that will help a wide range of people so there'll always be something you may not be interested in but equally there'll hopefully always be something you are interested in.

That's how many people read the email, skimming through it and picking out what suits them.

Thanks for your thoughts Paul

Andrea

MSE_Martin

PaulJM wrote: »

...Might just be me this...
I've been receiving the MS email for a few years now, and have always been confident in the integrity of the stuff that is sent out- I still don't doubt it, but does anyone feel that it's getting less 'editorial attention'?

I'm thinking about this weeks, for example. The headline reads "...summer holiday 2 for 1 at theme parks...inc Alton towers.." but most of the things there are a con! The Walkers promotion is rubbish - we are a family of 4, we don't eat loads of crisps but we eat some, I'm not a health freak but we've not collected enough points for anything useful! The Tetley promotion has hardly any vouchers available.
I just don't think it's in the spirit of the site.
Also noticed the laptop deals - most of these state the cheapest deal - that's really not the one that will save you money.
The stated Acer laptops are, in my opinion as a repairer - not cash efficient when compared to the 'bigger makes' I'm being careful here to not say anything potentially liabilous - but I think you catch my drift. I think you might need to replace them more often! Remember is worth looking at Sony, Toshiba, etc.

It's not the fact that I think the site is now trying to rip people off...it's that I think it's not as controlled as should be - it's maybe looking a little commercial - and I've never thought that before...I guess I have for a few weeks now.

I suspect part of this is due to a confusion over the walkers crisps offer and I've tightened the text up to clear this up.

The 2 for 1 alton towers offer is part of the Brit trips voucher but needs quite a few packs for that. However there is a specific 2 for 1 alton tower voucher that only needs far less crisps.

PaulJM

Thanks chaps - I almost felt like I'd said something I shouldn't!
Reading back though, I think I was fair. I love this site, and it's helped me a lot.

Martin hit the nail on the head though - I don't blame people for posting deals they've found, I just hate the sensationalism - You see that everywhere you turn nowadays, and I always feel this site bucks that trend...but to cast out a headline that is bearly true? It's been put right now though, so I'll shut it!

I still think the 'cheap' deals should be balanced with 'good value' deals though, and stand by what I say about cheap makes - you hardly ever win!

Thanks anyway..to the majority

That's it for me!