What is the future of the forum after we join the MoneySupermarket group?

hudswell

Martin L started the site and, initially through the work of him and his team, it grew to the point where its reputation spread, more users joined, and it became the entity it is today – the most respected site of its type in the UK. Do I begrudge Martin for selling the site – no, not for one second. He took the risks at the start, and put the work in with his team in the early days.

Yes, his unpaid helpers (i.e. active forum users / posters and moderators) are a key part of the sites’ ongoing success and growth, and it’s possibly unfortunate that their contribution is not recognised in the deal – though I’m not sure how it could be (maybe an Amazon voucher for everyone with over 500 posts [counts me out]). For me, the £10 million donation to charity more than covers this – I don’t post here for rewards, rather I try to help where I can, as others have helped me.

Will I stop using the site – no. Three main reasons:-

· The deal has not yet gone through, so there’s no need yet
· I expect the editorial control to be exercised as it previously has been – and we’d all spot if it changed
· If Money Supermarket start leveraging things on the site (more ads / paid for content / whatever), it will be recognised by all, the user base will collapse, and the value of the site will diminish rapidly, and I don’t think Money Supermarket are that commercially naïve

pin

Hi

Very old time user of this site (well, more the forum), but no longer post or actually even visit this site, partly because it doesn't have so much use for me as I no longer live in the UK.

When I first read the news about the selling of MSE to Moneysupermarket, the initial reaction was sadness. I have some very fond memories of when I used to use the forum years ago and it had saved me lots of money and given me lots of money saving tips over the years. I did actually venture onto the main site, especially for the articles, which were a really good guide for some money saving tips.

Fair does to the owner of this site in turning it into a nice little cash cow. I don't know where the bulk of MSE's revenue comes from, but it seems to be from the referral clicks to MoneySupermarket (so i.e. the main site).

I personally do think things will change for the main site, and also things will probably also change for the forums. Whether that is a good thing or not, only time will tell........

Tigsteroonie

barmonkey wrote: »

it seems that the only members of the community with a real problem are the ones with really low post counts that hardly ever use the site.

Not true....

pink_princess

barmonkey wrote: »

it seems that the only members of the community with a real problem are the ones with really low post counts that hardly ever use the site.

Are you reading everything that has been posted? I have seen lots of members with high post counts that are bothered by this.

I am not even bothered for myself really as I now have all the tips etc. I'm upset that it will change and new people might not be reached with the same independant help. If you don't think it will effect you then great but what about the people who have not found MSE yet and when they do the advice can not be trusted as it is bought and paid for.

MS have been very honest that they are going to increase the footfall from here and have given ML targets. How do you think that can happen without bias?

John_Pierpoint

Money Supermarket has applied the "golden handcuffs" as it is trying to avoid this situation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toolstation

In Basildon, the two chains have their retail outlet on opposite sides of the street

buglawton

I wonder ff there has been any precedent of a vested interested party taking over such an independent advice site.

What's interesting is, up to now MSE has been too strong/impartial for any similar site to gain traction. If that strength/impartiality gets compromised it will be a great opportunity for a new replacement site to flourish.

whitegoods_engineer

How about we set up a new forum, free from commercial interest as this one now is. I'm sure, between us as a group, we could do this. Maybe we could setup a Facebook group to create an alternative site to this one?

BaritoneUK

I just wanted to say congratulations to Martin. He has worked so hard to make this site what he is- I can't believe how many hours per week!

Naturally, like many, I am concerned for the future, but I really appreciate the safeguards that have been put in place. It's easy to be sceptical, but I am trying not to be.

I've not been a prolific poster in this forum, but I have been a member and MSE fan since 2004. MSE was a big life changer for my wife and I- and has helped us so much over the years. I think Martin deserves the sale.

Perhaps it's something to do with British, but many seem uncomfortable by the fact that Martin will get Millions from this deal. I think we should congratulate him on his success.

As for this forum, it's up to us to make sure that things are kept as they are. If we don't like something, then we are the community so we can speak up. Like Martin says, I think the only major change to the forum in the future will be technological and perhaps a faster forum with a better user interface.

Anyway, that's my contribution to the debate!

d-seven

BaritoneUK wrote: »

Perhaps it's something to do with British, but many seem uncomfortable by the fact that Martin will get Millions from this deal. I think we should congratulate him on his success.

It's what the Australians call 'Tall Poppy Syndrome'. Every Tall Poppy has it's knockers.

Fair play to Martin; if I had a website that successful and someone offered me 87 million for it, I would take it. Let's face it, why do we all pay the fools tax every tuesday, wednesday, friday and saturday? To try and win that amount of money!

The bloke's really hit the jackpot! Married to Lara Lewinton and now worth 87 million quid :j Goooooo OOOOn my son!

buglawton

Yes congrats to Martin. But we will need a replacement/competitor site.