MSE Discussion: MoneySavingExpert.com to join the MoneySupermarket.com group

paparossco

Well done Martin and good luck to you and Mrs L :-)
I have to say that although I will read the main site information I tend to check up what people are saying on the forums so I'm not too worried about the independence of the site - provided the forums don't become heavily regulated......

mkeeley

Without the user forums the site would be nothing (well not quite but near enough) so it's simple, don't like the news then stop contributing and find an alternative place where your hard work isn't being used to make the owner rich(er). Enough people vote with their feet and the site will die.

mattytun

It's a good day to bury bad news

jeanmd

Congratulations on building and selling such a massive empire Martin. MSE is a fantastic place and has helped me and my family to save a fair amount of money. I do feel rather sad at being joined to MS, but understand business is business.
I really hope it all works out as you plan. :money:

penrhyn

He will be on Radio 5 Live after midday.

Plushchris

Q. Will the site have performance targets? The amount of money paid for the site is split into two; one lot paid on completion, and the other, the 'earn-out', to use its official phrase, after three years.
To get the earn out, we need to meet targets. In most deals, these are based on financial performance, but due to the site's editorial independence, our targets are based on growth of, and trust in the site.

Possibly failing your target straight away there Martin.. :rotfl:

How is this trust going to be measured exactly?

chewback

Fifer wrote: »

From the site's privacy policy:

We do collect your e-mail address when you register to receive Martin's Money Tips email. We do not share your e-mail address with 3rd parties and your e-mail address will never be sold onto a 3rd party.

I presume that means that our email addresses will not have been sold to MS as part of this deal?

MS are no longer a 3rd party, they will own the site which means they own your data.

ThrobsBlackHat

I am both amazed, saddened and pleased by this news.

Amazed that Martin "Independent champion" has taken this choice. Money talks. A complete sell out. And for £35 million, you would to. And if you say you wouldn't, then you are a liar. And a self righteous, possibly deluded one at that.

Saddened because this website will never be the same again. So much voluntary time and contributions go towards making the forum work, and people will have second thoughts now it is under different ownership with a much clearer commercial arm in operation in the background.

Pleased because Martin Lewis personally, him, the man, has helped save me an absolute shed load of money over the years, literally thousands of pounds. He stuck two fingers up to the institutions that chose to fleece their loyal customers for many years, and provided the strongest consumer voice of the internet age. If this releases him to take that same campaigning strength and ability into the political arena, and hugely rewards someone who worked darn hard for all of us, then hats off to someone who did something very special and reaped the reward.

That said, I do think certain members of this site, maybe by post count or role within a forum, should also partake in this somehow.

What an end to a great journey.

cos_2

I hope the new website has a section teaching the proper use of apostrophes. Why oh why is this such a huge problem for people?

Quentin

Maybe the new owner will allow their new employee (M. Lewis) a sabbatical to get another venture off the ground, (once his cheque has cleared).

Tell us all how to do it, Martin! How about "MoneyMakingExpert.Com" next?