'“MoneySavingExpert: a stronger brand than iTunes”' blog discussion

JasonLVC

MSE is one website I visit daily.

Apart from the useful money saving articles, I think the forums (and the wide variety of sub-forums) has a wealth of information that is second to none.

Want a discount code for a shop, got a problem with a paarking ticket, don't understand bank interest rates or just want a rough idea what a new patio will cost you.....it's all in the forums.

Glad to see it is in the top listings of websites, it is an indispensible resource for anyone who takes an active itnerest in saving money, getting the best or simply to avoid being ripped off.

meher

thelawnet wrote: »

can you please keep this between you and your potential employers and business partners

shush, we're interested

T0015632

anyone know where to get any vochers for top shop

meher

all deals are usually updated on these pages
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/high-st-sales-diary

topshop, for instance
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/high-st-sales-diary/topshop#deal15764

podperson

While I love the brand and am not trying to diminish the achievement, I do wonder if results from surveys like YouGov are going to be slightly focused towards the MSE demographic. Most people who do surveys like that are doing so to earn a few extra quid and so are more likely to be aware of moneysaving websites etc. Especially when there are also lots of threads suggesting survey sites in the Up Your Income boards.

Lavendyr

The key point from the survey is: "UK-wide brand strength based on quality, value and customer satisfaction."

Quality? Yes, for the most part (spambots on the forums aside!).
Value? Well, it's free for consumers - but more than that, money SAVING.
Customer satisfaction? Here is the rub - does MSE really have 'customers' in the same way that Apple does? Users, yes. Customers are usually, however, understood to pay for a service. MSE is free.

Therefore I think the survey itself - and the comparison of MSE to Apple is somewhat flawed. Is MSE a business? I'm sure it is. But its customers are not its consumers, unlike Apple, to a large degree. And to me, that means that the outcome is relatively meaningless.

In broader terms, of course, there is no possible way that MSE is a bigger brand than ITunes. ITunes exists internationally and is recognisable on a global scale. MSE simply isn't. But within the specific parameters set by the survey - that's a different matter entirely.