Is this site bias towards one mortgage broker?

kenshaz

The problem with the two links to the broker emails I'd have thought is that they appear to be an attempt to get around the the rule about advertising on the site.

For instance, let's say I ( or any other MSE poster not in the business) was impressed with your posts and decided to take your advice when I wanted a mortgage.

Having had a good experience with you, I then recommend you on MSE to other posters seeking advice.

I agree and it goes against the basic principles of this site.

payless

and L&C exposure is for pleasure

For those like cut and paste

Having said that L&C isn’t stupid. I’ve been independently recommending it for the last three years (see my ..article) so it had a pretty good idea it wouldn’t come out too badly.


The reason it sponsors the guide is it gets a one time chance to include its own letter promoting its service when they mail out the guide. And just to assure you, you won’t be sent any follow-up advertising or marketing or any of that malarkey.

In the trade this is known as a payment for ‘lead generation’ and in this case that means they pay for the publishing, printing, posting and a small fee to help this site.

kenshaz

nearlyrich wrote:

We used to use L & C when we were changing mortgages a long time before I found this site, they were always very good for us and I know other people who have used them on our recommendation and they have been happy with their advice etc.

Freedom of choice,they are a company of repute.

kenshaz

110frankie wrote:

this thread and subject worries me - I think it calls for a comment from Martin himself as it suggests bias towards a commercial enterprise.

I agree Frankie and it needs to be investigated.

MortgageMamma

kenshaz wrote:

Freedom of choice,they are a company of supposed repute.

I didnt think it would be long until you came along and spammed the thread with brokerage names Kenshaz.

payless

kenshaz wrote:

I agree Frankie and it neds to be investigated.

I'll save you the trouble... it will be deleted and I'll get a slap on the wrists ( or worse)

EdInvestor

payless wrote:

Although my post was in reply to someone who I believe has posted in the past that he has never used L&C - yet he posted a link to them?

But why play his game: as you can see from his post above, he too is distorting what Martin says in his article.

I understand your annoyance, but IMHO employing a "tit for tat" strategy is counterproductive.Much better just to ignore his interruptions - or perhaps post the full comments made by Martin.

Why was it possible advertising- what gain would I have - giving business to brokers who I have no connection with & have never met ?...
( only made post after a different broker's weblink was given )

... I think it's obvious you are not advertising but trying to make a "political point" (so to speak), but I guess we have to assume that the person on the end of the "abuse" email at any time may not be well informed about the finer points of the debates in the mortgages forum.

S/he could well just see it as an advert ( especially if it's been reported as such) so out it would come.

BTW I trust you all realise that your adherence to the "there is no such thing as bad publicity " rule is probably not working in your favour overall......

kenshaz

I would wish to remain within the theme of the original post and therefore I will only respond to posts on that theme .
I believe that those who post should be given options and choices,and made aware of all this site has to offer and not groomed into a certain direction.

MSE_Martin

Is this site biased towards L&C? Yes absolutely, amongst the big four national UK brokers that is anyway - for the simple reason that it is the only one that is fees-free and true whole of market for non-web advise.

Yet read my article; there are many other options in there. And I by no means dispute the fact there are many good local whole of market fees free brokers - and I suggest if you want face to face you go to them.

However L&C are the only one that fit the criteria, and have the coverage and capacity to deal with the MSE traffic. Also the feedback (and I have swathes of it is universally good).

While there are no affiliate links to L&C, it does sponsor the Mortgage and Remortgage Guides; yet as you'll see in there this doesn't guarantee it anything and if it changes its practices so it is no longer worthy of recommendaiton I will say so.

To be honest the traffic it gets from this site actually works as a good breaker to stop any changes. I've had meets with L&C and it is aware with no uncertainty of what will mean I 'ditch and switch' from suggesting it as a viable option; and as such it has behaved impecably - always responded to any slight issue - as it has a commercial imperative to do so.

I hope this clears it up.

Martin

payless

BTW I trust you all realise that your adherence to the "there is no such thing as bad publicity " rule is probably not working in your favour overall

Couldn't give a flying fig

never came on this site to get business or publicity , it was to share my knowledge, in a area that I know bloody well , on a site that benefits consumers.

I now rarely post on the mortgage board as I feel the original ethos is getting lost amongst the clouds of smoke