Special Official Note For Mortgage Brokers

dunstonh

cold PMing like that is wrong and I doubt any of the regular contributers here do that. You are always going to get some scam/spam messages sent by a few individuals who dont contribute to the board. One way round that is to stop individuals being able to send PMs until they have made x number of posts. That would allow regulars to communicate but stop these spam merchants from doing it.

EdInvestor

AndrewSmith wrote:

But as said above Ed, it is not through our own choice that we do this. The site rules state that we must show such information.I would be happy to ditch the signatures all together to be honest and, as my username shows no relationship to mortgages whatsoever, post completely anonymously (damn I can never spell that word). That way maybe the guidance given by me on this forum would not be construed as anything other than genuine help?

Looking through the T&Cs one finds this:

Forum users are asked to make it clear if discussing a topic they have professional knowledge of that they work in that field (but do not tout for business).

Closely followed by this:

Also please remember just because someone says they’re an IFA this doesn’t mean they are.

:huh: :huh:

There seems little point in asking people to identify themselves if you are running an immediate disclaimer stating that the information may be wrong.

silvercar

You need to say your mortgage brokers, so that people know you are speaking knowledgably.

It can work in the opposite way, if I answer a query with "you should see a broker" it says to someone that they need professional help. If a broker says " see a broker", it looks like they are drumming up business for the trade if not for themselves.

MortgageMamma

It a no win situation. I don't mind being broker bashed once in a while, I find it amusing most of the time, - and anyone who knows me personally will tell you I could successfully argue with my own shadow.

But I like DunstonH's idea.

jamesd

dunstonh, stopping PMs prior to a certain number of posts would also prevent those new here from seeking assistance privately, from a broker in the way of business or from someone else. It would be particularly damaging in some of the other sections. I think it's too high a price to pay.

What might be interesting is highlighting those who initially make a large number of private posts.

MortgageMamma

Well I think any ongoing monitoring of any kind will be at the time and expense of MSE.com so its unlikely to happen

AndrewSmith

MortgageMamma wrote:

I see what you mean Andrew, thanks for clarifying that for me. Not being linked to a network and my compliance adviser being on holiday has left me feeling a bit worried.

I wonder how the FSA would look at those firms who very desperately advertise their services in the Ebay auctions!

Are you not part of Phoenix IFS anymore? I thought they were appointed reps of the M&E Network? Do they not give you outsourced compliance support?

payless

AndrewSmith wrote:

I would be happy to ditch the signatures all together to be honest and, as my username shows no relationship to mortgages whatsoever, post completely anonymously (damn I can never spell that word). That way maybe the guidance given by me on this forum would not be construed as anything other than genuine help?

I think this might actually be the way to go

get rid of any mention of mortgage / IFA brokerage in signature ... I went a long way towards that some time ago , any new or current username to be changed id required so not to give indication towards it.... option to keep homepage in profile ( but no mention of links to it).

regularsaver1

I think it can also cause problems for those wanting to contribute that are not brokers - would they get ignored?

dunstonh

No, they wouldnt get ignored. They dont at the moment and a small change to the signature requirements isnt going to impact on that.