London & Country speed thru number

MSE_Martin

I've read some feedback on the forums that London & Country's callback system is not being effective (ie people aren't being called back). As they're one of the companies that pass the tests in my article, many MoneySavers go through them.

If there is a problem and you've not been called back then I've lobbied for a special MoneySaver's number that is 01225 341275.

Now do note this isn't the number you should call first, as its an automated message and many times you can just go straight through and speak to a broker. But with this line L&C guarantee a call back within 2 hours (during office hours obviously)

Hope this helps

Martin

nmiah786

Dont mean to be disrespectful or question your motive at all for a second but I need to ask this question;

Why is it that you seem to plug L&C soo much!!!

I appreciate your recommendation but going out of your way to promote them continually and to even "fix" their problems!!!

You made your recommemdation (we all appreciate your MSE ethos) so let us now put it to the test without "extra external influence". Make it a level playing field.


Just my opinion, no malice intended.

AndrewSmith

I think your perception of the situation is perfectly understandable nmiah786.

My understanding of it is this:

Martin does not actually recommend L&C merely uses them as an example of a national phone based brokerage for comparison against such companies as Charcoal etc.

My belief is that Martin has interjected out of a sense of responsibility to the MSE users who had gone to L&C from this site and on the recommendation of the users herein.

It stems I feel from a sense of loyalty that Martin has for the users of his site, and so he felt it necessary to interject and sort out the problem that was beginning to upset his site users.

In this context I feel that Martin acted completely within the ethos of the site and MoneySavingExpert.

I am sure though that the man himself will correct me if I am wrong?

Andy

payless

AndrewSmith wrote:

Martin does not actually recommend L&C merely uses them as an example of a national phone based brokerage for comparison against such companies as Charcoal etc.



Andy

BUT

quote from his article .. about the remortgage brochure sponsored by L&C " I’ve been independently recommending it for the last three years .... so it had a pretty good idea it wouldn’t come out too badly"

although of course

Like everything with MoneySavingExpert.com, the editorial (what’s

written) is purely about what’s the best deal.

AndrewSmith

Good point Payless,

Taken on board

tomstickland

Either way, L&C are very good IMO.

nmiah786

Thanks for that Payless for that qoute. I must admit I personally have not read that article but I assumed that Martin recommends L&C judging by what posters write on the board.

Andy, I appreciate your comment and I do agree with it to a certain extent.

However, all I was trying to say was;

If I recommend someone to you.
You then decide to go and use them.
You expect the level of service that I mentioned but you experience problems.
So its does not meet your expected level of service.
You go elsewhere.

Would you then expect me to go and try to entice you back!!!!

I would also like to point out that I persoannly have not had any experience with L&C. I'm only basing my opinions on what others have said, who have tried L&C.

Like the old saying: Experience good service and you will tell only a few people, experience bad service and you will tell the whole world about it!!!

Just my opinion and like I said I mean to offend no one at all....apologies if it does!

AndrewSmith

I too have had no personal dealings with them and can offer no opinion on their service standards.

Excellent points made by all I think.

Why can't all the debates on here be this controlled and un-offencive?

Andy

nmiah786

Aaaahhhhhh, others might think we're part of some mutual admiration society!!!! :rotfl:

Arguments/opinions/debates dont have to be offensive to be constructive and also it woks best when its not taken personnally by all involved and it be based on facts.

Anyway signing off for tonite.....goodnite

:cool:

MSE_Martin

Hiya folks let me answer your questions

1. Do I recommend L&C - well i usually try and stay away from the word 'recommend' as it has some connotations in the financial world.

L&C are my top pick of the big four national brokers as they are the only one which is fees free and whole of market. If you read the press they often use the big four interchaneably, taking comment from the mortgage guru Ray Boulger at Charcol most especially. Ray is of course superb, but very few actually get a mortgage through Ray, and if its not Ray then why pay (wow it rhymes!). However my key recommendation is 'fees free and true whole of market" whether it is L&C or a local broker or a.n.other. Yet the reality of the situation is this.... I can't examine all brokers, i can look at the big ones. People want a name, so of the big ones L&C is my preferred option

2. Why sort this out?

I find this question rather bizarre - the answer is because it helps moneysavers. You'll find special moneysavers numbers with A&L current account problems, madasafish, amex nectar, even i think (can't 100% remember) once there was one with Barclays.

If MoneySavers are going to one provider due to the articles on this site i do my best to smooth the situation. That's the whole point. So getting an L&C number is the point.

I also think you have to understand L&C are a broker. It's not a question of 'level playing field'. The main readership of this site would go straight to a lender not to a broker and possibly only one lender at that, sorting out an easier way forward is what I try to do when i can, and i'm proud that I've enough clout to often do it.

martin

king_3

I have to thank Martin for his help on this subject and among many many others, which not only save myself a lot money but also make my life much easier.

I had good experience with L&C recently and bad experience with Charcol. The point is not about Martin's suggestion is right or not but about he offered me a starting point, which is most of the time, very reliable, and this is important. We all know we will make up our mind by ourself in the end and will expore different options before we do. I think I said enough.