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A Warning to all regulars on this board

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MSE_Martin
MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272 Money Saving Expert
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
I'm annoyed at some of the threads I've read. I am going to start getting tough soon with people taking threads off track.

If someone comes in to ask a question about a mortgage, I love discussion over it. Yet more and more of those threads will deteriorate into "pro and anti mortgage broker" discussions. Of course, the pros and cons of using a broker can be discussed - but not in a "can anyone tell me a good fixed rate thread" - there's more than enough (and i mean that literally) threads on such matters to sate all desire for discussion.

This is ridiculous. We have a code that's been agreed. That tells you the answer; if you want to tell people they should see a mortgage broker you can refer them to my article (yes I know some of you don't agree 100% but this is MSE and as this has now got ridiculous that's how I want it to be).

From this moment on people - even regulars continuing to ruin this board with these types of discussion will be asked not to post any more; even if you're normally helpful and well meaning - these spiteful spats are ruining the board and doing a disservice to those looking for help - and they are my priority.

Martin

Additional note for clarification

The 'i didnt start taking the thread off track, I just responded' argument isn't a good one. We all know once that happens then a fight starts. If someone has posted something inappropriate just ignore it.
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.
Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 000

Comments

  • AndrewSmith
    AndrewSmith Posts: 2,871 Forumite
    At last,

    Well done Martin and thank you. It is the reason you will have seen somewhat of an exodus from the majority of the regular brokers as they do not wish to get involved in such childishness.

    Let us hope that the board will return to normal, if not then I fear it could be the beginning of the end of the mortgage forum that we all used to know.
  • Melissa177
    Melissa177 Posts: 1,727 Forumite
    Good stuff from Martin.

    Thank you!
    Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. - Jefferson
  • MSE_Martin
    MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272 Money Saving Expert
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Andy comments like that don't help anyone. That's the whole point. If you believe someone is acting against the rules - report them. This isn't a place for recriminations, your posts above is the kind of thing we're trying to prevent.

    This is not a brokers board. It is a MoneySavers board, brokers are welcomed and thanked for their positive contributions - but do not rule and part of the problem is perhaps some (i'm not targetting this at you or anyone specific) should learn that this board is not 'their business'.

    Yours, in some frustration,

    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.
    Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
    Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 000
  • AndyWallace
    AndyWallace Posts: 253 Forumite
    MSE_Martin wrote: »
    Andy comments like that don't help anyone. That's the whole point. If you believe someone is acting against the rules - report them. This isn't a place for recriminations, your posts above is the kind of thing we're trying to prevent.

    This is not a brokers board. It is a MoneySavers board, brokers are welcomed and thanked for their positive contributions - but do not rule and part of the problem is perhaps some (i'm not targetting this at you or anyone specific) should learn that this board is not 'their business'.

    Yours, in some frustration,

    Martin

    The problem on your forum is that the potential for creaming off leads is there to be had, and many brokers are profiteering from it.

    To keep this forum impartial you need to disable private messaging and remove the link facility in the profile. That way, posts are 'genuine' answers to problems and not 'you need to see a broker :wink:' type answers.

    Thanks, but I wasn't 'really' upset as I don't have any motive for being here.

    Andy.
  • dwsjarcmcd
    dwsjarcmcd Posts: 1,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    At last some reason. There is no doubt that far too many posts have been hijacked by a small minority of people - brokers and non-brokers. All this is serving to do is to drive people away. These can be posters looking for help but as importantly, others who have got a valid contribution to add are put off for fear of being caught up in the cross fire from the childishness going on around them.
    I also agree with Martin that there are some people using this forum who seem to think it is for their exclusive use!
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 119,630 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I think some brokers have the view that there is money to be made from here but what usually happens is that when they realise they cant make money from here they leave. The long standing advisers on the board know that and post here for a break from the work or to improve the image of the industry (something that hasnt exactly been happening recently).

    We dont get these sort of problems in the investments or pensions section yet they have the potential to have the same issues. Possibly more so as investing is often a matter of opinion rather than fact and more likely to lead to disagreement. So, what is it about this section that is so different?
    And why is it only recently?
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • black-saturn
    black-saturn Posts: 13,937 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I've also experienced some negativity on benefit threads with people implying that people on benefit (and especially single mothers) are all on the fiddle or don't want to work. And if i hear one more jibe about the poor tax payer I shall scream!!
    2008 Comping Challenge
    Won so far - £3010 Needed - £230
    Debt free since Oct 2004
  • MortgageMamma
    MortgageMamma Posts: 6,686 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    dunstonh wrote: »
    I think some brokers have the view that there is money to be made from here but what usually happens is that when they realise they cant make money from here they leave. The long standing advisers on the board know that and post here for a break from the work or to improve the image of the industry (something that hasnt exactly been happening recently).

    We dont get these sort of problems in the investments or pensions section yet they have the potential to have the same issues. Possibly more so as investing is often a matter of opinion rather than fact and more likely to lead to disagreement. So, what is it about this section that is so different?
    And why is it only recently?

    Prior to about August last year there were no problems and all the brokers got along fantastically even when we disagreed on a technical point. The atmosphere was brilliant and we all did a sterling job with the forum users that needed help

    In those days the forum users only ever got caught in the crossfire of us joking and messing about with eachother, and mostly they joined in and enjoyed the banter

    I think we all know the root of the problem and Martin is correct, we should all just ignore any inappropriate comments and report any malicious or defamatory comments to the abuse team whether they are directed at ourselves or at someone else.
    I am a Mortgage Adviser

    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a mortgage adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
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