Amigo Loans sending pound coins to applicants

Dan_Atkinson

I was extremely angry to find that my wife had received a piece of mail from Amigo Loans with a pound coin attached. :mad:

I know she's applied for loans in the past (and presumably Amigo Loans as well), but it would seem that Amigo want customers so badly that they're willing to bribe them with free money.

As a little backstory, my wife has struggled with debt for some years. And whilst I've helped her out, I've always insisted that she exercise self-control when it came to spending and saving. We're financially independent as I sadly cannot trust her with my money.

I challenged their practices on Twitter and they said that it wasn't a publicity stunt, declaring:

it's the same as any company giving an example of the product they offer in the post - like a shampoo sample or washing powder.

I would post the link to our quite long Twitter debate with each other, but as a new user, I'm not allowed to post links. Perhaps however, you may be able to see our exchange if you copy this into your browser: twitter.com/amigoloans/status/476281181462609920

I'm so incensed by this, and Amigo's blase response that I'm seriously considering making a complaint to the regulators about their practices.

Before I do, does anyone have any advice for me? Have they had similar problems or letters?

Many thanks

BillJones

Dan_Atkinson wrote: »

Before I do, does anyone have any advice for me?

Advice? Ok then.

Ask your wife to spend the pound on an inexpensive yet cold beer for you, then sit out in the sun and enjoy it, and not get so worked up about someone sending you free money in the future.

Or, alternatively, drop it in a charity box, and feel happy at having done some good.

paulsad

Wow! I think you are over reacting and need a chill pill.
Its not like she's a recovering alcoholic and got a free sample of Dry Gin is it?

jaydeeuk1

Would you be even angrier if there was a cheque for £10000 attached?

dealer_wins

Where is my letter with a £1?

I need to complain about Wonga's discrimination.

Monkeyballs

Yeah...

Sorry but while I sort of see what you're saying I don't see any reason to complain? Not based on them sending a free £1 coin anyway... What about the letter it was attached to?

It's not publicity as the only person who seems to be making a big deal of it is you who ironically is giving them publicity by coming on this site to protest...

I'd pop it in a charity box and have a laugh at them for foiling their plan

MB

Dan_Atkinson

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the feedback.

Clearly I am too tightly wound and completely missed their humour. You're/they're right in that it wasn't a publicity stunt, given that, as has been rightly pointed out, it was direct mail, but I do find it gimmicky in a very bad way.

To me however, sending someone with serious debt problems a pound coin is like handing a balloon to someone who's drowning - completely pointless.

I considered donating the money to charity but it belongs to the wife, so I imagine it's being used to buy something to feed her cravings.

Thanks again!

bsms1147

How do I get my free pound?

Monkeyballs

Ah, don't beat yourself up Dan based on what you've mentioned I can see why you maybe overreacted in the way you did - it's easy done

Tell the missus to treat herself to Poundland if she has to spend it on herself LOL

MB

Monkeyballs

bsms1147 wrote: »

How do I get my free pound?

You know those scruffy looking urchins who give out free hugs? Why not have a shave, splash on a bit of cologne and put on a nice suit and give out £1 hugs?

You could be a high class Hugscort...

MB

tell_it_how_it_is

Tight b***ers. What can you buy with a pound these days? They should have at least slipped a fiver in. Easier for mailing too.