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

Former_MSE_Dan

faineant wrote: »

As the saying goes a good time to bury bad news. Like many others I suspect, I only found out about this today.

There was a very prominent link on the homepage from the moment the news was public. It has just been taken down after being there a week, and we announced it at the top of this week's email. We have also engaged in these threads over the bank holiday weekend.

JimmyTheWig

MSE_Dan wrote: »

We clearly wouldn't want the situation you describe to have happened, but the editorial team would just keep on working the same way, while we'd hope the small commercial team would find other paying links. Of course, if they didn't, nothing would change.

Thanks for prompt reply.

Are you saying that MSE could survive on the current model if MoneySupermarket pulled the plug on their links?

Former_MSE_Dan

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Thanks for prompt reply.

Are you saying that MSE could survive on the current model if MoneySupermarket pulled the plug on their links?

I would really hope so, but it wouldn't have anything to do with anyone who writes editorial in order to solve it.

barmonkey

faineant wrote: »

As the saying goes a good time to bury bad news. Like many others I suspect, I only found out about this today.

it was all over the press (tv, radio and papers) when it was anounced last week, it was on the front page of the site for over a week and there are at least 30 threads, if not more, on the forum, so im guessing most people have known about it for a while.
If you dont come here often (60 odd posts in 6 years) you cant really complain that you didnt know.

JimmyTheWig

Fair enough. Thanks.

Northstar24

MSE_Archna wrote: »

UPDATE 3 JUNE - please also read this thread - What is the future of this forum?

"In a deal announced this morning on the stock market, MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) will join MoneySupermarket.com group. MSE will continue to operate as it does now, but with improved technology, so more people can gain from its MoneySaving techniques."



The problems are:
The independence of the site is clearly compromised. No one can claim to be independent if they are owned by someone else.

The stated objective of the site was to help consumers, but it appears that it was (subverted to) to build up a large organisation to make money for the founder.

Independence could have been preserved by using the income generated from the site to allow investment and freeing up of Martin's time.

The users of the site felt like stakeholders, but were not consulted about the selloff.


Conclusion:
In this commercial world it would have taken a dedicated person to refuse the offer. I had supposed that Martin was such a person. I really admire him for giving £10M to charity but I think that his reputation has been irreparably damaged.

barmonkey

Northstar24 wrote: »

The users of the site felt like stakeholders, but were not consulted about the selloff

Ive been here a long time and not once have i ever concidered myself like a stakeholder, i come here to chat, be helped by others and if i can help others. The idea that we should have been consulted is laughable, it was a privately owned company and Martin has every right to do what he wants with it. I think we are lucky hes decided to stay and look after the place, most people would have taken the money and ran.

Patr100

Northstar24 wrote: »

The users of the site felt like stakeholders, but were not consulted about the selloff.

and with 2 posts in 3 years you certainly were a "user" rather than a contributor.


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tindella

On the one hand, it's a shame - this site has been very helpful and trustworthy,

On the other hand, you've done your share, Martin - and it's not fair to hold you back - and if you could make one of those charities me, I'd be very happy!!

I'll monitor it over the next month or two and see what happens before I put you in the bin! Personally, good luck to you!

tindella

Just came back to say:

Let's be reasonable here. Martin and co have shown us the way to handle financial problems/crises/decisions for a long time now. Surely no-one needs their hands held indefinitely! Do your own research, think for yourself. I think Martin's aim was to lead us, not do it for us - and he's achieved that, surely. We've all, clearly, got internet access so let's get doing it for ourselves. What are we - a bunch of mindless idiots? - of course not. Let's get out there and carry on the good work!

(perhaps it's the Jubilee - feel like waving my flag!! :T )