Should Members Be Charging For Their Assistance?

da_rule

Ok, so I'm sure that everyone else has noticed the business venture that has popped up in recent days.

My question is, in a free forum, with a 100% POPLA win record is charging people to deal with their matter for them a good idea? Now I understand there is a trade off, £16 to have the matter dealt with, no matter what the appeal outcome vs the time someone spends on each appeal.

My concerns though are:

• Are the materials that are provided for free (templates etc) on this forum now being used for gain?
• Are there any breaches of the forum rules in advertising/pursuing business in this way?
• As it is new members who are being messaged in relation to this, is it giving a bad impression of the forum?
• Sorting the matter out for people means that they cannot learn and sort it out themselves next time, so they become dependent on the service
• Sorting the matter out for people also means that the forum loses experiences when it comes to dealing with new Parking Companies/AOS' etc
• People being pursued by the users in relation to the offer (for example in this thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4936275 there are 5 posts relating to the offer, including 2 after the OP has said they weren't interested)

This isn't criticism in any way, as after all this is capitalism, see a market, get in and exploit it. It is simply intended to start a debate about whether this type of exploration is right in this forum, and whether or not such a service should be actively promoted. Should those who come here looking for advice (free advice as set out in the MSE Editorial Code), be 'sold to'? Why should people have to pay to get something cancelled when, with a 100% POPLA win record they could do it themselves, using the material on this forum, for free? Yes, I know the question comes down to how much the person values their time. I also concede that I don't know the full business model, does the 'customer' still have to receive all correspondence from the Private Parking Company and have to pass it on to the person dealing with it etc?

My concern is simply whether it is right that a free service, like this forum, be exploited for gain?

Kind of like Scottish independence, the answer is either 'Yes' or 'No'.

Hot_Bring

Yes - it's perfectly acceptable.

There are three types of Newbie :

1. Those prepared to read and put in some effort - they won't use the service but will still get free advice from here.

2. Those that can't be bothered to put in any effort and just want spoon feeding. Personally I help these people less and less now and I would imagine that £16 would be worth it for them.

3. Those that truly struggle. It's fairly obvious when someone has put in some effort but is still struggling. Personally I'm happy to help them BUT a small fee may be their best option.

SevenTowers

And just like Scottish Independence, it is all about how the question is worded. The real question is;

"Should those that can't or won't fight PPCs scams, or choose not to invest the time required have an option to pay a 3rd party to sort the ticket out for them, guaranteed?"

I'm in the Yes camp.

pogofish

I don't have any great problem with it, so long as any posters involved are absolutely on the level about it, have clearance from MSE and conduct themselves in accordance with the company rep/commercial poster conditions.

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

da_rule wrote: »

Ok, so I'm sure that everyone else has noticed the business venture that has popped up in recent days.

My question is, in a free forum, with a 100% POPLA win record is charging people to deal with their matter for them a good idea? Now I understand there is a trade off, £16 to have the matter dealt with, no matter what the appeal outcome vs the time someone spends on each appeal.

My concerns though are:

• Are the materials that are provided for free (templates etc) on this forum now being used for gain? I think you will find no templates are used for gain and i will think you find that there are people who have been here a very long who have developed the info on this forum
• Are there any breaches of the forum rules in advertising/pursuing business in this way?How many people come on here and cant cope with what they are shown? and then go on to pay
• As it is new members who are being messaged in relation to this, is it giving a bad impression of the forum? No not at all, its a service thats being offered, people can take it or leave it
• Sorting the matter out for people means that they cannot learn and sort it out themselves next time, so they become dependent on the serviceIts a question of what they want, and how much they value their time,
• Sorting the matter out for people also means that the forum loses experiences when it comes to dealing with new Parking Companies/AOS' etcYou know what they say about a little knowledge
• People being pursued by the users in relation to the offer (for example in this thread: I was clarifying the offering and secure paymentshttps://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4936275 there are 5 posts relating to the offer, including 2 after the OP has said they weren't interested)

This isn't criticism in any way, as after all this is capitalism, see a market, get in and exploit it. It is simply intended to start a debate about whether this type of exploration is right in this forum, and whether or not such a service should be actively promoted. Should those who come here looking for advice (free advice as set out in the MSE Editorial Code), be 'sold to'? Why should people have to pay to get something cancelled when, with a 100% POPLA win record they could do it themselves, using the material on this forum, for free? No one is made to take up the service, it is simply an alternative, what you dont realise is that how often people are told what to do and still cant do it./B]

Yes, I know the question comes down to how much the person values their time. I also concede that I don't know the full business model, does the 'customer' still have to receive all correspondence from the Private Parking Company and have to pass it on to the person dealing with it etc?This is the users decision

My concern is simply whether it is right that a free service, like this forum, be exploited for gain?Why not when in fact what is being offered is a guarantee they wont be taken to court if they lose, Can you truely say you can 100% say that you will win an appeal for someone, what if your "poor" advice results in someone ending up with a court claim, will you turn up at court and help them? i suspect not, will you indemnify the user against risk?Will you put your hand in your pocket?

Kind of like Scottish independence, the answer is either 'Yes' or 'No'.

Now Forums will always have their place because the majority of people will be happy doing the research and doing it themselves. That will never change.

As the service grows then the need to offer the service to people will diminish (well that is the theory anyway). Its all about getting it "out there"

Prothet_of_Doom

In my humble opinion, the whole point of a forum is to share information free of charge, with virtual friends. This information will save people money.
I have frequented a number of car related forums, been given good advice, but also have provided it where I could. Now if I ran a garage, knowledge is worth money, but people share information, out of the goodness of their hearts. Personally I call it Karma.

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

In my humble opinion, the whole point of a forum is to share information free of charge, with virtual friends. This information will save people money.
I have frequented a number of car related forums, been given good advice, but also have provided it where I could. Now if I ran a garage, knowledge is worth money, but people share information, out of the goodness of their hearts. Personally I call it Karma.

This is true , but the is a large % of people who wont want to do the work involved and wont want to take the risk
These people are more likely then not going to pay the PPC
The Target market is not those who are happy getting the advice and doing the leg work

Now which would you prefer

Hot_Bring

I'll add to my post - we often recommend bailiffadviceonline.com - a chargable service - should we stop that as well ?

bazster

I'm waiting for the day when an enterprising insurance company offers a similar inexpensive service as an add-on to motor insurance policies.

duchy

This question isn't awfully different to to the EU flight compensation folder.
All the info to claim is there -and like the parking companies the airlines will mess you about and deny you have a case knowing that most people will give up. If you make it clear you've read the posts and just want clarification or encouragement the regulars there are helpful. If you just want a quick fix and don't want to put the time in they will point you towards a no win no fee company.

So long as people have the choice and it's clear you can do it yourself and pay in time rather than cash I don't see anything wrong with having both options available.

MSE is about getting the best value. For some people their time is worth more to them doing other things and earning far more than the fee they'd pay to get a third party to do it for them.

da_rule

Ok, as I said this wasn't meant as a person dig, but there we go, lets address some of the issues:

1) Would I go to court? Yes
2) Indemnify the user - do you actually though? Do you have an insurance policy that will pay out should you be unable to pay the parking charge, e.g. you are experiencing cash flow problems, or should you cease trading whilst half way through someones appeal etc? Do you identify yourself as the driver so as to make the keeper no longer liable?
3) Bailiffsonline - Bailiffs have real powers, unlike the PPC's, so yes sometimes it is worth paying for advice, especially where they have immobilised/seized property or where criminal proceedings could result
4) Do you actually have permission from MSE to advertise/promote/drum up business? Should you not be registered as a business poster so that people can see that you have a vested interest?