An open note to all mortgage brokers

HelpWhereIcan

kenshaz wrote:

hwcalih :beer:

how would Chartered Accountants like i t here?

:beer: :j

Murray

kenshaz wrote:

hwcalih :beer:

hope we can all live in harmony?

:beer: to that!

MSE_Martin

Folks. I've been having a chat with the forum manager. To move this along I'm going to spend the next ten minutes drafting a mortgage broker code of conduct to move the debate along.

Martin

The_Bear_6

Having watched most of this I feel now compelled to comment. This website is not a democracy, anyone who comes here comes of their own free will and, I believe, should not charge for their services and certainly shouldn't be touting for business here.

I have seen Martin frequently attacked over his opinion that L&C are the best broker to go with, it is pathetic. It is an opinion, just think of it as attacking someone over their taste in music. However if his opinion wasn't valued and justified there would be no Martin. The approach of kenshaz is exuberant, possibly annoying although the right to that opinion lies with the person asking for the advice, not another broker.

Why you think you are being hounded when it is quite clear from your posts and history that what you have to say is interesting and educated is strange. Perhaps you underestimate the people who need your advice? Constantly referring to it in this playground manner doesnt help the situation, it doesnt help the site but worst of all it doesnt help the money saver.

MSE_Martin

Here’s my rough draft attempt – knocked out so ignore any grammer type errors, no point polishing a discussion document. And I am open to suggestions or changes.

Mortgage Broker Code of Conduct

• Mortgage Brokers are very welcome on this board and are thanked for the time and effort they put in to help users. This site believes that it is always better to use a mortgage broker to get a mortgage than go direct to a bank or building society (see Mortgage Broker article) (LINK TO BE ADDED)
  
  
• If mortgage brokers want to add a signature about being a broker to their post it should be “I am a mortgage broker, however any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes and should not be seen as financial advice.” There should be no note about the company you work for or any links. Mortgage brokers who choose not to use the signature should not indicate they are brokers in any other way within their posts.

• Mortgage Brokers may have a single link to their website in their profiles.

• Mortgage Brokers should not tout for business on the boards. They should not do unsolicited PMs offering services. Not should they ever say ‘see my profile for who I work for’ or any such guize. However if a user requests their service either via PM or post then I have no objection to that and the business generated. Any mortgage broker found to be flouting this ‘no touting’ rule will potentially lose their rights to post on the forum (PPR).
  
• To prevent accusations of touting. Mortgage brokers should not simply reply to questions with what essentially boils down to a short answer then a plug for ‘you need to seek advice’. It’s important that brokers aren’t attempting to genuinely help the user with a specific answer, can’t answer the question directly then its best not to answer. There are enough links to where to get info and advice in the forum and the site to enable people to seek advice if they need to.

• Brokers should be mindful that non-brokers can have valid opinions on mortgages too, and this forum isn’t a ‘broker-only zone’. I would direct brokers to read this post which details the sites position on advice sadly this site cannot and will not adjudicate on ‘what is good advice’

• If brokers are following rules 1 to 6 code of conduct; this site will (resources permitting) be supportive. If posters are trying to stop the flow of information and disrupt it (which includes simply linking to site articles without reason/reasoning) as opposed to simply disagreeing on info or advice the site abuse team will err on the side of brokers.

Let me know - this isn't set in stone - its a suggestion to move forward

sured

whiteflag wrote:

It would appear that we also need a system that prevents abusive posters going back in the middle of the night and editing their insults , replacing their bile with-Thank-you for your support

Its totally outrageous. Tomstickland and LeonW got the dogs abuse while I got followed into the Money Savers Arms- appears he (she ) forgot to delete those posts.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=322780

hi martin, could you also do something about this, i have seen some of these abusive posts that are then edited out, and they are really not very nice.

kenshaz

The_Bear wrote:

Having watched most of this I feel now compelled to comment. This website is not a democracy, anyone who comes here comes of their own free will and, I believe, should not charge for their services and certainly shouldn't be touting for business here.

I have seen Martin frequently attacked over his opinion that L&C are the best broker to go with, it is pathetic. It is an opinion, just think of it as attacking someone over their taste in music. However if his opinion wasn't valued and justified there would be no Martin. The approach of kenshaz is exuberant, possibly annoying although the right to that opinion lies with the person asking for the advice, not another broker.

Why you think you are being hounded when it is quite clear from your posts and history that what you have to say is interesting and educated is strange. Perhaps you underestimate the people who need your advice? Constantly referring to it in this playground manner doesn't help the situation, it doesn't help the site but worst of all it doesn't help the money saver.

What can I say,you post at a crucial time,I needed you way back,I do not want to create further controversy.I will attempt to negotiate a change in culture through consultation.My style has been exuberant ,but it heightened awareness,which in itself is progress.
Please enjoy your time on this site and welcome.

whiteflag_3

MSE_Martin wrote:

Here’s my rough draft attempt – knocked out so ignore any grammer type errors, no point polishing a discussion document. And I am open to suggestions or changes.

Mortgage Broker Code of Conduct

• Mortgage Brokers are very welcome on this board and are thanked for the time and effort they put in to help users. This site believes that it is always better to use a mortgage broker to get a mortgage than go direct to a bank or building society (see Mortgage Broker article) (LINK TO BE ADDED)
  
  
• If mortgage brokers want to add a signature about being a broker to their post it should be “I am a mortgage broker, however any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes and should not be seen as financial advice.” There should be no note about the company you work for or any links. Mortgage brokers who choose not to use the signature should not indicate they are brokers in any other way within their posts.

• Mortgage Brokers may have a single link to their website in their profiles.

• Mortgage Brokers should not tout for business on the boards. They should not do unsolicited PMs offering services. Not should they ever say ‘see my profile for who I work for’ or any such guize. However if a user requests their service either via PM or post then I have no objection to that and the business generated. Any mortgage broker found to be flouting this ‘no touting’ rule will potentially lose their rights to post on the forum (PPR).
  
• To prevent accusations of touting. Mortgage brokers should not simply reply to questions with what essentially boils down to a short answer then a plug for ‘you need to seek advice’. It’s important that brokers aren’t attempting to genuinely help the user with a specific answer, can’t answer the question directly then its best not to answer. There are enough links to where to get info and advice in the forum and the site to enable people to seek advice if they need to.

• Brokers should be mindful that non-brokers can have valid opinions on mortgages too, and this forum isn’t a ‘broker-only zone’. I would direct brokers to read this post which details the sites position on advice sadly this site cannot and will not adjudicate on ‘what is good advice’

• If brokers are following rules 1 to 6 code of conduct; this site will (resources permitting) be supportive. If posters are trying to stop the flow of information and disrupt it (which includes simply linking to site articles without reason/reasoning) as opposed to simply disagreeing on info or advice the site abuse team will err on the side of brokers.

Let me know - this isn't set in stone - its a suggestion to move forward

IMHO

Spot On:T

MSE_Martin

Hi

In fact I think it would be easier if I closed this discussion off and started the code of conduct in a new one.

My priority is not adjudicating on what has happened (thats for my abuse team to do) but trying to help set up legitimate expectations so everyone will be happy(ier) in the future.

payless

Martin, can't see much wrong with that-
just a few of initial thoughts:-

As most mortgage brokers are also either IFAs or Protection advisers, perhaps this could be included someway.

On that point, is this the basis of signatures for IFAs / protection only advisers also

Guess we are avoiding the independent / Whole of market/ fees free statements as this just confuses matters ?