Missing the Point?

Tigerman362

Dear MSE,

I'm concerned the site is now missing the point of why it first started. My understanding is that the site was specifically to help those in financial difficulties to understand their situation and provide guidance on how to overcome these problems. Yes, to help save money.

I used the ideas provided myself and am now in a much better position. I have 5 children of adult age and I have forwarded the link to this site, however I've noticed a marked move from the guidance provided previously (some of which still exists) to one where the majority of the site is showing adverts or offers that do nothing but encourage people to spend to save. This isn't much help to those who do not have the money to start with and can be quite demoralising.

I think you've lost sight of your original goal.

nonnatus

I disagree! There are still plenty of threads extolling the virtues of frugality and bargains.

But a Forum evolves with time and the personalities that use it, because as Humans we have very different ways of thinking, so I'd be surprised if the topics had remained on one subject.

Aside from that, this is a thread that has been done to death over the past couple of weeks. Maybe it's the season for MSE bashing.
You have free will, OP - if you don't like the heat, stay out of this kitchen

torbrex

Tigerman362 wrote: »

Dear MSE,

I'm concerned the site is now missing the point of why it first started. My understanding is that the site was specifically to help those in financial difficulties to understand their situation and provide guidance on how to overcome these problems. Yes, to help save money.

I used the ideas provided myself and am now in a much better position. I have 5 children of adult age and I have forwarded the link to this site, however I've noticed a marked move from the guidance provided previously (some of which still exists) to one where the majority of the site is showing adverts or offers that do nothing but encourage people to spend to save. This isn't much help to those who do not have the money to start with and can be quite demoralising.

I think you've lost sight of your original goal.

Are you talking about the main site or the forum?
Either way, I cant see what you mean about showing adverts, as far as I am aware this whole site is ad-free. There are plenty of articles linking to offers and threads on the forum highlighting particular deals and bargains but none of these are compusory and the old addage still stands, 'dont buy it in the sale unless you were needing it anyway'.

Tigerman362

My main concern was to do with the weekly email. Even the title of the email "Valentine's freebies, free M&S £24 via Netflix, £10 Travelodge, £130 bank bribe ends, 20% railcard code, 50p car wash, year's line & b'band £103" is an advertisement in itself. I'm fully aware of the buying mantras. there's even Valentines deals on the side of this page. Someones taking a kickback!

torbrex

Tigerman362 wrote: »

My main concern was to do with the weekly email. Even the title of the email "Valentine's freebies, free M&S £24 via Netflix, £10 Travelodge, £130 bank bribe ends, 20% railcard code, 50p car wash, year's line & b'band £103" is an advertisement in itself. I'm fully aware of the buying mantras. there's even Valentines deals on the side of this page. Someones taking a kickback!

So what you are saying is that if I tell someone that Lidl is offering half price pork chops this weekend then I must be getting a kickback from them for giving out that information.

All this site does is give information, how people use that is up to them, I have seen the valentine deals on the side of the page but I will not be using them, there is also a link to travelodge deals but I have no intention of even clicking on that as I am not going away anytime soon.

I still don't get the point that you are trying to make, you set up a new username just to gripe about the site and complain about the offers that are being highlighted in the weekly email but as an existing user, why did you not just bring it up with that username?

pelirocco

Tigerman362 wrote: »

My main concern was to do with the weekly email. Even the title of the email "Valentine's freebies, free M&S £24 via Netflix, £10 Travelodge, £130 bank bribe ends, 20% railcard code, 50p car wash, year's line & b'band £103" is an advertisement in itself. I'm fully aware of the buying mantras. there's even Valentines deals on the side of this page. Someones taking a kickback!

I think the clue is this

This site is a money saving site , therefore if it helps someone buy something for less that fits the remit?

Tigerman362

Dear Torbrex,

This has been my first ever comment and I had to create a separate username even though I've been registered on the site for a number of years. My intention was not to simply moan about the site, but to give some constructive feedback on how I see the site moving. Having bought a MSE books (yes I did buy them) and an advocate of the site for a long time so have therefore earnt the right to voice my opinion. Anyone taking offence should obviously move onto the next subject.

Simon Huggett.

torbrex

Tigerman362 wrote: »

however I've noticed a marked move from the guidance provided previously (some of which still exists) to one where the majority of the site is showing adverts or offers that do nothing but encourage people to spend to save. This isn't much help to those who do not have the money to start with and can be quite demoralising.

I think you've lost sight of your original goal.

Tigerman362 wrote: »

My main concern was to do with the weekly email. Even the title of the email "Valentine's freebies, free M&S £24 via Netflix, £10 Travelodge, £130 bank bribe ends, 20% railcard code, 50p car wash, year's line & b'band £103" is an advertisement in itself. I'm fully aware of the buying mantras. there's even Valentines deals on the side of this page. Someones taking a kickback!

Tigerman362 wrote: »

Dear Torbrex,

This has been my first ever comment and I had to create a separate username even though I've been registered on the site for a number of years. My intention was not to simply moan about the site, but to give some constructive feedback on how I see the site moving. Having bought a MSE books (yes I did buy them) and an advocate of the site for a long time so have therefore earnt the right to voice my opinion. Anyone taking offence should obviously move onto the next subject.

Simon Huggett.

As you have named me directly, I reserve the right to reply.

In your first post you state that MSE is showing adverts and encouraging people to spend to save, I have never seen any evidence of this.

In your second post you are complaining about the content of the weekly email stating that it is an advert in itself, as I pointed out all it does is highlight deals available, it does not insist that you rush out and take them up, simply directs any interested party that they are available.
I would call the claim that someone is taking a kickback for highlighting these deals more than a little bit of a moan.

No-one has said that you dont have the right to comment on the site that is why this board exists and I have not seen anyone take offence at your comments. It has been more a case of you taking offence to people commenting on your posts. This is after all an open forum and all posts are open to a reply, like it or not.