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

aliasojo

pink_princess wrote: »

I thought the same because of the many, many times Martin posted saying that the forum needed revenue to continue. That by clicking the links it helped him fund this.

But isn't that like Tesco saying 'in order for our stores to continue, we need you to keep buying our goods'?

It doesn't mean they are struggling, it just means that in order to continue, this is what needs to happen.

He was making it clear that the site needs paid for somehow, and this is how it happens.

I've tried to search this morning to see i I can find anything anywhere where it's said the site is struggling and I can't.

I honestly believe that belief may be down to simple (mis) interpretation.

Happy to be proved wrong though, if there is anything anywhere where the site was said to be struggling.

pink_princess

The non-MoneySaving boards are add-ons, non-core, here for fun, to build community. I hope people enjoy them. Yet even though in percentage of users they are very small, the resource drain from them is huge - often 50% of all abuse complaints.

So what do i say to the forum team. "We can't afford to spend too much time. If you have to delete or lock threads on a cursory glance, and focus resources on MoneySaving boards, which provide benefit to many more people and life changing information to many."

Then i come to the forums (again) and ask everyone to calm down. And yet then more revolt about the rules.

Let me make it plain I cannot afford to give you the moderation you need. I cannot justify deleting. This isn't a democracy. It is a private forum. I've made it plain these aren't free speech boards. I can't afford the legal bills if they were. This is about helping people save money.

If you dont like the way the Arms and DT are moderated, then i would ask you don't visit. I cannot afford it and i never want to charge.

Even at current rates these forums are costing a nearly 6 figure sum a year to run. No one is charged. There is no advertising. Do you know how bloody disheatening it is to be continually questioned this way. Just what do you expect

And a practical point

Let's say someone writes "all gypsies are !!!!! scumbags" not a pleasand thing to say (and we see worse things written). Someone complains that this is racist. Is it? I dont care I dont want it on the forums. Yet someone then complains this is a racist comment. Do we then say the post was deleted because of a racist comment? And then leave the site opened to be sued for libel by accusing someone of being a racist?

Or someone of being dishonest?
Or someone of lying?
Or someone of being abusive?
Or someone of being a stalker?
Or someone of being a bully?
Or someone of not knowing what they are talking about?
Or someone of wantenly causing disruption?

The list could go on. The first is a mere example of the type of thing we get here. Sometimes worse than the original example. So the rules are simple, when a post is deleted we dont start throwing accusations out or delineate why in these boards, they are just deleted.

If we start explaining it puts the site at risk. Worse than that it ends up continuing the discussion all over again so the problem hasn't gone away.

To summarise

We do the best we can on limited resources
Things are deleted because the resources arent focussed on these boards
Explanations arent given to protect the site and to stop reoccurence of the same issues
I hope these boards are fun, i hope you enjoy them, if you don't and find the way they are run difficult, then i would ask you not to read or post in them anymore.

Martin
Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.

A post of Martins as an example. How many times does he say can't afford? Limited resources?
There are many many examples if you look for them.

pink_princess

Just to make it clear that I'm not bothered about someone making a fortune if it is clear that is what they are aiming to do. Then to dress it up tosay it is the best thing for consumers is just wrong.
His advice is now bought and paid for. He now works for MS. He now has targets that he must achieve for them. Independant advice? I just wish he would be honest. How is he going to achieve his targets?

aliasojo

pink_princess wrote: »

A post of Martins as an example. How many times does he say can't afford? Limited resources?
There are many many examples if you look for them.

Appreciate your reply pp, thanks.

I do see your point and I can understand why you think as you do.

I still don't see that as a statement that the site is struggling though.

It's like me saying to daughter, 'I can't afford to buy you whatever fancy pair of shoes you want'.

That doesn't mean I'm struggling, it just means that I don't have a bottomless pot. I need to have priorities and I can't be spending money on something that isn't as important as something else.

It's clear we all have our own 'take' on things, I guess that's the beauty of individuality.

terra_ferma

aliasojo wrote: »

Appreciate your reply pp, thanks.

I still don't see that as a statement that the site is struggling though.

It's like me saying to daughter, 'I can't afford to buy you whatever fancy pair of shoes you want'.

Limited resources = £15m profit?
It's like Martin saying exactly that to his (soon to be born ) child.

I think you are struggling to accept the reality, we have been duped. Semantically you are right. All resources are limited, nothing is unlimited (even "unlimited" calls or broadband usage have limits...). Ethically, that statement is bound to give a false impression, and changing his legal status from a transparent ltd company, to a more private 'sole trader' while paying more taxes, so that people didn't know to how much these 'limited' resources actually amounted to... only strengthens this theory.

verysillyguy06

terra_ferma wrote: »

Limited resources = £15m profit?
It's like Martin saying exactly that to his (soon to be born ) child.

I think you are struggling to accept the reality, we have been duped. Semantically you are right. All resources are limited, nothing is unlimited (even "unlimited" calls or broadband usage have limits...). Ethically, that statement is bound to give a false impression, and changing his legal status from a transparent ltd company, to a more private 'sole trader' while paying more taxes, so that people didn't know to how much these 'limited' resources actually amounted to... only strengthens this theory.

Absolutely spot on !

I realised that Martin has gone back to his roots, being a journalist, and we should not have been surprised by him putting all this 'spin' on his own advancement.

He has pulled the wool over all of our eyes but then again, we should have been expecting it.

'Spin'

1. Proof will be in the pudding, please wait and see = Moneysupermarket will not give me all my money if all the people leave from here, so pleaseeeeeee dont go otherwise I am up !!!! creek and my bank will not be happy....

2. I was not aware of bad feelings= Opps, I was too busy celebrating and been not caring about what people really feel and I was caught out

3. I have done the best to be around for 3 years= moneysupermarket did not let me go as they want to see what happens despite me trying my best to go quickly

aliasojo

terra_ferma wrote: »

I think you are struggling to accept the reality......

Please don't try to tell me what I'm doing, that's just insulting.

Edinburghlass_2

pink_princess wrote: »

A post of Martins as an example. How many times does he say can't afford? Limited resources?
There are many many examples if you look for them.

This post of Martin's that was made 7 years ago about fighting in the Arms and DT when too much time (resources) was being diverted there to sort out petty arguments.

terra_ferma

aliasojo wrote: »

Please don't try to tell me what I'm doing, that's just insulting.

I said I THINK you are struggling to accept reality, which may not be what you are actually doing, but just my perception...
(this must be the most civilised disagreement I've had here on MSE for a while, all smiling )

pink_princess

Edinburghlass wrote: »

This post of Martin's that was made 7 years ago about fighting in the Arms and DT when too much time (resources) was being diverted there to sort out petty arguments.

What is your point? Go find more examples if you wish, there are plenty.

Also are you suggesting that MSE was not profit making by then?