Zopa. Neither a borrower nor a lender be!

Queenie

apang wrote:

....... I know that Martin aims to "screw over companies", but a new start up venture? It just doesn't seem fair.
........
I recall a friend's episode .

But, this is the *real* world - not a TV comedy.

apang

I'm not going to get into a heated argument, and I fundamentally respect you, this site, and what you have achieved for consumer rights. I've certainly recommended this site to several friends and family. I also want to apologise to the thread / those interested in finding out about Zopa for going slightly off piste.

But I do feel that ripping off other companies is wrong. That is my point of view.

For example, I don't agree with your technique for saving money off landline phone charges. By splitting your charges through 3 carriers, one of the carriers will make ZERO revenue from you, as you only route free evening and weekend calls through them.

This eventually leads to either the withdrawal of the offer or even the demise of the company, and then everybody loses out.

And don't be fooled that the scenario above couldn't happen. This site has tremendous people power, and the sheer number of people "screwing" them over can sum up to a vast total.

Queenie, this is the *real* world, as you so eloquently put it. And that means *real* companies are going out of business. And *real* people are having their livelihoods taken away from them.

Actions have consequences beyond the corporate fascade that you imagine. Lets say that enough people use Zopa to find out their credit score to put the venture in financial risk. It happened so suddenly because of the nature of the web. Zopa end up cutting their staff in half to stay afloat. How do you feel about being morally responsible for their loss?

Clearly, you don't make a distinction between large "faceless" corporations and small business enterprises. But I do note that Moneysavingexpert Limited and Moneysavingexpert.com Limited are both registered at Companies House. As you say, the moto of this site is "we spend our lives being screwed by companies for profit, this site is about 'legally' screwing them back". The site is run by a company. Should I try and screw you back?

Queenie

apang wrote:

... Queenie, this is the *real* world, as you so eloquently put it. And that means *real* companies are going out of business. And *real* people are having their livelihoods taken away from them....

In your previous analogy the morality of the story is actually quite, quite different. The apple scenario would be "Theft". So yes, I would have compassion for the victim of that theft and the consequences regarding their loss of livelihood.

But, no one here is suggesting, recommending or endorsing stealing!!!!

If a company cannot *afford* to make the offer and/or hasn't made a realistic projection on the potential take up of the offer or even neglected to fully appreciate the loopholes then ... I don't see how anyone (other than the company themselves) can be blamed if, whether via this website, newspaper articles, word of mouth or which ever means, the company subsequently goes out of business.

As a consumer, I don't buy into a business/product out of compassion for the livelihood of the company/employees; my "compassionate spending" is reserved for Charities.

BWZN93

apang wrote:

For example, I don't agree with your technique for saving money off landline phone charges. By splitting your charges through 3 carriers, one of the carriers will make ZERO revenue from you, as you only route free evening and weekend calls through them.

This eventually leads to either the withdrawal of the offer or even the demise of the company, and then everybody loses out.

And don't be fooled that the scenario above couldn't happen. This site has tremendous people power, and the sheer number of people "screwing" them over can sum up to a vast total.

Clearly, you don't make a distinction between large "faceless" corporations and small business enterprises. But I do note that Moneysavingexpert Limited and Moneysavingexpert.com Limited are both registered at Companies House. As you say, the moto of this site is "we spend our lives being screwed by companies for profit, this site is about 'legally' screwing them back". The site is run by a company. Should I try and screw you back?

Oh come on - everyone in the real world is trying to screw everyone else over to make a quick and easy buck - I wouldnt feel sorry for mr telephone director because he didnt make money off a phone call, there is an open market for a purpose,mwe can choose what to use and what not to use.

Secondly this site is not run by a company with an aim of screwing the consumer. If you arent interested in finding ways of making your household bills smaller so you arent spending all of your income purely on survivial, then why are you here?

Jo xx

Diane_2

Does anyone have any experience with Zopa? Is it a good idea to lend money or borrow money through it?

Diane

Woby_Tide

if you use the search facility there are a few topics concerning this question already including Martins initial one

Lotta_Littlies

There's a piece on Zopa here

Lotta

Scrabble_2

Has anyone used ZOPA.com??? Let me know what you think about them? I fancy using them if possible......

Woby_Tide

the same question was aksed last week which in turn lead to the search facility and the various topics discussiing zopa and their relative merits/issues including martins views

reelcrazy

I took out a £1000 loan with them in the summer to pay for a holiday. I repay £86.50 a month.

They paid me quite quickly and I could choose which day of the month to make my payment (by direct debit) so I chose the 1st of the month to coincide with pay day.

I say use them if you need a cheap loan.