An Open Letter To Mortgage Brokers.

MSE_Martin

Hi Mortgage Man

Thanks for your note above. I dont think my reply really fits the main piece so just a quick one.

Most people I encounter don't think I'm an IFA. Its certainly a title I never use - nor to I ever use finance in my title (though some newspapers annoyingly call me a finance expert, even though I make it plain my trademark and he one to be used is Money Saving Expert).

I always state when asked that Im a journalist. I suspect the limited numbers who think Im an IFA are those who dont know what an IFA is - sadly there's much ignorance - such as thinking an IFA will help with home phone bills or do debt counselling. Yet for me that's a wider issue - another one to take on.

Most of the thinks people ask me in the street e.g. bank charges, ppi reclaiming, gas & elec, cheapest way to shop - are so far from being IFA issues. I am very plain about what I do, but your point is taken.

The last thing in the world I would want is anyone to think Im an IFA. Im very proud of being a journalist.

Martin

MSE_Martin

maveli wrote: »

Looks like the death threat really worked. Martin's update got 'GO TO BROKER' in every paragraphs.

While I suspect this is tongue in cheek I dont find it that funny. In my career I've sadly received a number of death threats, some from far right extremists, a couple of bizarre ones, and now mortgage brokers.

While I abhor far right extremists, I have always supported mortgage brokers. Your joke misses the point. I always have put GO TO BROKER. There is no change. The nasty people who've written these notes have risked hardening me away from brokers, as if there are that type of people in the industry do you really want anyone going to them. Yet I have always believe in the broker model and am trying to be bigger than that.

Martin

dunstonh

Thanks for the revisions Martin. These one post wonders and external idiots shouldnt reflect on the regulars here.

Whilst we may not agree on some things (and often its just the finer points on an issue rather than the whole issue), the actions of these fools is disgraceful.

I always state when asked that Im a journalist. I suspect the limited numbers who think Im an IFA are those who dont know what an IFA is - sadly there's much ignorance - such as thinking an IFA will help with home phone bills or do debt counselling. Yet for me that's a wider issue - another one to take on.

I have seen you referred to as financial expert and advice from financial expert so its not unsurprising that perhaps some may make that leap to adviser.

A lot of people dont understand what an IFA is. The FSA hasnt helped with its muddying of the waters over the years between advice classifications and its pandering to banks and salesforces. Research (i think it was from Which? last year showed that over half of those seeking advice from tied sales reps though they were seeing an IFA. Mortgage advisers and IFAs are another which are often mixed up.

I have never had anyone come to me about phone bills or non financial matters. Though there was a post on this forum this morning from someone who couldnt undestand why the FOS wouldnt review their complaint about a Garden centre mis-selling a garden shed. - and it wasnt a joke.

Airwolf1

maveli wrote: »

Looks like the death threat really worked. Martin's update got 'GO TO BROKER' in every paragraphs.

Bad joke gone wrong, or just a warped sense of humour?

If you received a death threat, and everyone made a [rubbish] joke over it, what would you say, in all seriousness?

Conrad

The ability of some to excercise reasonable judgement is questionable, to say the least, hence the vitriol against Martin, comes form ignorance.

Some brokers have an innate inability to collate and distill facts, which minds me of the sort of myopic bigotted utterences one finds with religious extremists.

maveli

Airwolf1 wrote: »

Bad joke gone wrong, or just a warped sense of humour?

If you received a death threat, and everyone made a [rubbish] joke over it, what would you say, in all seriousness?

Sorry guys.. A death threat by a mortgage broker, I should have taken it very seriously.

payless

I have never had anyone come to me about phone bills or non financial matters.

funny I have a few clients who always call me before booking a holiday - as they know "I'm upto speed with things like that" and its not unusual during a face to face appointment - if we talk about clients outgoings that we end discussing telephone / bb/ mobile / gas & elec costs ... in fact it would not be the first time someone said to me .. " you're a bit like that bloke on the telly ... you know the one balding one who talks fast and wears awful shirts"

MSE_Martin

payless wrote: »

funny I have a few clients who always call me before booking a holiday - as they know "I'm upto speed with things like that" and its not unusual during a face to face appointment - if we talk about clients outgoings that we end discussing telephone / bb/ mobile / gas & elec costs ... in fact it would not be the first time someone said to me .. " you're a bit like that bloke on the telly ... you know the one balding one who talks fast and wears awful shirts"

BALDING!!!!!!! - HOW DARE YOU!!!!!! ITS JUST TV LIGHTING!

JF77

payless wrote: »

funny I have a few clients who always call me before booking a holiday - as they know "I'm upto speed with things like that" and its not unusual during a face to face appointment - if we talk about clients outgoings that we end discussing telephone / bb/ mobile / gas & elec costs ... in fact it would not be the first time someone said to me .. " you're a bit like that bloke on the telly ... you know the one balding one who talks fast and wears awful shirts"

Poor Martin! I love your shirts, they brighten up my day! and you are defo not bald. You do talk fast though. My hubby says there is finally someone else who can talk as fast as me.

Nice to see some light hearted posts again.

By the way, if you only want to quote part of someone's post how do you do that? I'm a bit blonde ha ha!

payless

MSE_Martin wrote: »

BALDING!!!!!!! - HOW DARE YOU!!!!!! ITS JUST TV LIGHTING!

Proves you are vain.. I was talking about Dom Littlewood