Approved Company Representatives Poll

karenbee_2

Premier wrote: »

These representatives are being paid by their employers to spend time on this forum? Have you thought about why? What is the benefit to their shareholders?

Have you considered why some energy suppliers are willing to pay £60 - £70 per new customer? Whilst some may dispute the competitiveness of the energy supply companies but the truth is they all would like to get as many customers as they can.

I'm assuming (I don't know for certain of course) that the people probably work in a department that deal with queries from the press public etc . I don't think they are employed full time to hang out on internet forums and tout for business. Like I said though thats what I think. I don't know if it's correct or not.:o

jimexbox

Ive read quite a few of Eon's rep, and as far as I can tell they do not tout for business. Im sure they would get short shrift if they did from folk around here. Yes, they are here for a reason. To promote Eon by their presence, therefore there products and a little bit of public relations.

Premier_2

jimexbox wrote: »

...To promote Eon by their presence, therefore there products ...

Maybe someone could explain the nuances between the words promoting, advertising and touting?

JuneS

Hi, I'm new here but have been reading these pages for the last week or so.

I've notice the recent posts by Eon, but I don't think it would be right to describe them as touting in any way.

I think they are simply posting on this site to offer advice to those that need it, and if that advice is good, I'm sure it will help market their company to those unhappy with their existing supplier.

That's not touting in my opinion, so is there anything wrong with that?

Premier_2

Welcome to MSE, JuneS :hello:

Thanks for your post. You seem to be suggesting that the posts may be beneficial from a marketing perspective of eon. Is there any difference between marketing and advertising?

JuneS

Premier wrote: »

Welcome to MSE, JuneS :hello:

Thanks for your post. You seem to be suggesting that the posts may be beneficial from a marketing perspective of eon. Is there any difference between marketing and advertising?

I dont know if theres any difference between marketing and advertising, but I dont think either is the same as touting. Touting I have always thought of as something much more sinister, like ticket touts or perhaps deliberately trying to steal customers accounts.

Premier_2

JuneS wrote: »

I dont know if theres any difference between marketing and advertising, but I dont think either is the same as touting. ....

But the rules here on MSE don't allow advertising either. It says at the top of the page "Free of Ads" and theres is a specific rule against advertising on the forum:

MSE_Martin wrote:

ADVERTISING

This site is free from advertising. Posts on any board considered to be advertising goods, services and/or companies will be removed. ...

..Unfortunately we cannot allow any advertising of any description no matter how honourable the intention...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3476992&postcount=3

Sonny1980

This is my first post too....

I'm not sure it matters whether what they are doing is classed as marketing or advertising. The way I see it, as long as it is general advice they are giving and that people think its useful does it really matter?

Surely we all come on here for answers to our questions...personally expert advice is only a plus!

:money:

JuneS

Premier wrote: »

But the rules here on MSE don't allow advertising either. It says at the top of the page "Free of Ads" and theres is a specific rule against advertising on the forum:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3476992&postcount=3

I see what you mean. So you dont think they should be here? As Sonny1980 says, isn't it better they are prepared to be here and offer their expert advice rather than not be here at all?

Premier_2

JuneS wrote: »

I see what you mean. So you dont think they should be here? As Sonny1980 says, isn't it better they are prepared to be here and offer their expert advice rather than not be here at all?

It's a difficult balance to make.

On the one hand, there is the risk of advertising that you have already mentioned. However, on the other hand, they probably are experts in their own company & the services it provides and therefore I can see why the decision was made along time ago to allow Company Representatives to post openly on MSE.

However, it's also interesting to note that the existing rules actually refer to CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS representatives.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3477020&postcount=19

I think it is in this area that they can certainly be a benefit in providing customer service support by their company to those members that specifically request help on the company in question.

That's why, as I posted earlier, I think such representatives should restrict their posts to questions about their specific company. By doing this they can't really fall foul of the no advertising rule that applies because they will be answering questions posed by existing customers, customers that have expressed a desire for more information about the company, or from ex-customers who may wish help in resolving an ongoing dispute or problem with the company.

But it does seem to be that so far, most people do appreciate the representatives posts thoughout the board so I'll keep quiet. Democracy in action :T