Approved Company Representatives Poll

JuneS

Yes, you have made some very valid comments.

I've just added my vote for the middle option too!

:money:

MSE_Martin

Hi folks,

Let me explain what happens.

Over the years quite a few big companies that have asked if they can respond on here. The general rule is no. Yet if its a BIG company, we've found it a really efficient way to get MoneySavers complaints heard. It also prevents legal issues, where 'right to respond' is important.

This has been going on for years. For years Ian Barber at Barclaycard (he doesn't work there anymore) was on here, answering questions, and 100s of MoneySavers got issues sorted at speed and complaints handled.

They used to have it in their signatures, but that can be faked, so now we have simply done it in a way that can't be faked.

As for the "on a site with no advertising" let me make it plain there is NO commercial relationship whatsoever with this. It is done solely as it helps MoneySavers, I don't give a flying Monkey about the companies.

However the rules are strict - they shouldn't be pumping their products and should only be responding to DIRECT issues concerning their company. Full Stop.

If you see any doing more (barring starting one thread as a centralised discussion, which is fine) then pls report it to [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]

Martin

PS the actual words hadn't come through me - and i think "approved" isn't the right term it implies MSE has approved it - whereas it means their company has.

I have asked that ll of these are changed to...

XXXXXX company representative
And in their name underneath where it currently says approved representative.
“Has MSE’s permission to post for company”

Then in their signature it should have.

"I am the official company representative of XXXXXX. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am, please report it to [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]"

1carminestocky

Crikey, this thread seems popular with very recently joined members. Yes, I know, its' that paranoia again. :rolleyes:

PS Now Martin is aware of this thread, maybe he could answer my earlier query about whether people who derive their livelihood from the energy industry and post on this forum have to make it clear where they work on each post they make on here? I genuinely believe we need some clarification on this point. TIA!

MSE_Martin

1carminestocky wrote: »

Crikey, this thread seems popular with very recently joined members. Yes, I know, its' that paranoia again. :rolleyes:

PS Now Martin is aware of this thread, maybe he could answer my earlier query about whether people who derive their livelihood from the energy industry and post on this forum have to make it clear where they work on each post they make on here? I genuinely believe we need some clarification on this point. TIA!

We have always asked people to declare an interest if they have one on a work sense. However there is a big difference between that and officially responding on behalf of a company as part of your work (which is the approved reps).

Of course its virtually impossible to completely police the former on a forum this size and with sophisticated uses, but if its happening we do look at it.

SwanJon

1carminestocky wrote: »

ut whether people who derive their livelihood from the energy industry and post on this forum have to make it clear where they work on each post they make on here? I genuinely believe we need some clarification on this point.

MSE_Martin wrote: »

We have always asked people to declare an interest if they have one on a work sense. .

I, along with a good few other posters, post here in my free time. My words are just that, not the words of my employer. I have nothing to gain from helping someone out (I don't even have shares).
If I lie to make British Gas look good, how would I personally benefit from that? This isn't my job, I'm not going to recieve a bonus or any other sort of renumeration for what I do here.
However, if I use my knowledge to help someone else out of a difficult situation, or even just save them the time and cost of a phonecall, I like the fact that I have helped.
1carminestocky has been the most consistant proposer of the 'all employees have an agenda' line (although my no means the most venhement), but has yet to say what benefit he percieves I (and others like me) recieve.

So long as the advice is accurate, appropriate and useful, does it really matter where it comes from?

PS - didn't vote as none match my feeling - is there a none of the above option?

jimexbox

Premier wrote: »

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

Certainly, Eon do not actively promote their products, thus touting. By having a presence they are making their themselves and their employer felt, so by giving advice they are raising their profile, so maybe folk may check out their products.

Its similar to spam, it only takes one person in a hundred thousand to respond to make a profit. If by there presence on these forums, a customer may not leave, or a person may switch. The cost to Eon having a 'presence', is chump change.

MSE_Martin

SwanJon wrote: »

I, along with a good few other posters, post here in my free time. My words are just that, not the words of my employer. I have nothing to gain from helping someone out (I don't even have shares).
If I lie to make British Gas look good, how would I personally benefit from that? This isn't my job, I'm not going to recieve a bonus or any other sort of renumeration for what I do here.
However, if I use my knowledge to help someone else out of a difficult situation, or even just save them the time and cost of a phonecall, I like the fact that I have helped.
1carminestocky has been the most consistant proposer of the 'all employees have an agenda' line (although my no means the most venhement), but has yet to say what benefit he percieves I (and others like me) recieve.

So long as the advice is accurate, appropriate and useful, does it really matter where it comes from?

PS - didn't vote as none match my feeling - is there a none of the above option?

Yes but with this in mind lets declaring the fact you work in an industry can be seen two ways i. You have a bias. ii. You have an innate expertise. Its up to the reader to use that piece of information as they see fit, hence why we ask.

Magentasue

The thing that irritates me, and this was pointed out a couple of days ago by KimYeovil, is that so many of these reps post repeating what has been said in earlier posts. They add nothing to the thread apart from promoting their company, while duplicating someone else's post.

1carminestocky

MSE_Martin wrote: »

Yes but with this in mind lets declaring the fact you work in an industry can be seen two ways i. You have a bias. ii. You have an innate expertise. Its up to the reader to use that piece of information as they see fit, hence why we ask.

:j :j :j AT LAST, we have THE definitive answer and it is ENERGY COMPANY EMPLOYEES SHOULD STATE THE FACT ON HERE. It's almost worth all the abuse I've taken on here from the usual suspects for continually suggesting something that would appear should have been the accepted way of doing things on here. Many thanks for that post, Martin! :beer:

@ SwanJon, I've frequently made the case that it's just a matter of common courtesy to state CLEARLY where you work in your posts on here. That way, people can view your posts with that knowledge in mind. Whether that means they view it with scepticism is entirely their prerogative. It's absolutely nothing to do with you in some way 'gaining' by posting on here. But you DO derive your livelihood from the energy industry you are allowed to freely discuss on here. You're an intelligent chap, I'm genuinely surprised you can't see the potential problems...

Cardew

MSE_Martin wrote: »

Yes but with this in mind lets declaring the fact you work in an industry can be seen two ways i. You have a bias. ii. You have an innate expertise. Its up to the reader to use that piece of information as they see fit, hence why we ask.

We really have a dilemma here.

There are a number of utility company employees who have given consistently good and, importantly, impartial advice using their knowledge and expertise.

Two in particular(Swanjon and Joyful) make no secret that they work for BG and post frequently and knowledgably on all matters concerning Utilities and without any bias toward their company or against other Utility companies.

However such is the irrational hostility against Utility companies, and BG in particular, they are placed in a ‘No Win’ situation.

If they defend some of the ludicrous allegations made against BG, using their inside knowledge, their contribution is immediately condemned by as worthless by the more vociferous contributors – at least one of whom has actively pursued a vendetta against the company on this forum. The fact that their input is accurate and measured is of no importance – it is rubbished.

If they contribute with any relevant, factual information that could be construed as critical of another company – again they are accused of pursuing an agenda.

‘Damned if they do, and damned if they don’t!!’


Getting back to the question, personally I think the EON reps input is simply advertising. My bigger objection is that they don’t follow the thread but just jump in and repeat word for word what has already be stated in early posts(parroting as one contributor nicely put it). It seems that the desire to get EON’s ‘name in lights’ is the important factor.