EHIC website has crashed - but don't be tempted to use a shyster site

malkie76

You aren't paying for the card - you are paying for the service. Complexity of the form is irrelevant for the point being raised. Focusing on the checking part is entirely irrelevant, so I'm not sure why people continue to focus on this.

Not getting a card could be very costly, hence the situation where these third party sites can be of assistance.

I'm not defending anything, just giving a clear example of where these third parties offer a solution to a problem.

bigadaj

malkie76 wrote: »

You aren't paying for the card - you are paying for the service. Complexity of the form is irrelevant for the point being raised. Focusing on the checking part is entirely irrelevant, so I'm not sure why people continue to focus on this.

Not getting a card could be very costly, hence the situation where these third party sites can be of assistance.

I'm not defending anything, just giving a clear example of where these third parties offer a solution to a problem.

Do you run one of these sites?

Pollycat

malkie76 wrote: »

You aren't paying for the card - you are paying for the service. Complexity of the form is irrelevant for the point being raised. Focusing on the checking part is entirely irrelevant, so I'm not sure why people continue to focus on this.

Not getting a card could be very costly, hence the situation where these third party sites can be of assistance.

I'm not defending anything, just giving a clear example of where these third parties offer a solution to a problem.

Sometimes - just sometimes - when somebody has hold of a shovel and the hole is getting deeper, they will not let go of said shovel. :whistle:

malkie76

Pollycat wrote: »

Sometimes - just sometimes - when somebody has hold of a shovel and the hole is getting deeper, they will not let go of said shovel. :whistle:

Or alternatively you could provide an objective counter argument to the point being raised.

Pollycat

malkie76 wrote: »

Or alternatively you could provide an objective counter argument to the point being raised.

There is no counter argument to the point being raised.
The website you think is 'legitimate' is shyster.

chattychappy

I think the distinction is pretty clear.

The business model behind "legitimate" check'n'send services is that they promote themselves on the value they add. Their target market is people who wish to pay extra for an additional service which makes things easier. Typically this is with the approval of the underlying provider. Eg in the case of the passports, the passport agency actually promote the post office check'n'send service. Ie the check'n'send service has an official status.

The business model behind "shyster" sites is to deceive users into thinking they are purchasing the service from an "official" site. Their target market is people who are careless, vulnerable, stupid etc. Their site might state that they are unaffiliated with the NHS (or whoever) but this is more about protecting themselves from being shut down or claims of fraud. They might also claim to carry out checks or provide a diary reminder service. This is really a fig-leaf.

Perhaps people think the Post Office check'n'send service for passports is a ripoff, and the EHIC "shyster" sites provide an honest service which people choose to buy.

"Objectively", both are probably within the law.

But in my view the what defines the "shyster" sites is that they depend on confusion/deception about who they are and what they can actually do in order to generate business.

malkie76

Pollycat wrote: »

There is no counter argument to the point being raised.
The website you think is 'legitimate' is shyster.

Thank you for conceding my point. They provide a service that provides a solution to certain customers.

malkie76

chattychappy wrote: »

I think the distinction is pretty clear.

The business model behind "legitimate" check'n'send services is that they promote themselves on the value they add. Their target market is people who wish to pay extra for an additional service which makes things easier. Typically this is with the approval of the underlying provider. Eg in the case of the passports, the passport agency actually promote the post office check'n'send service. Ie the check'n'send service has an official status.

The business model behind "shyster" sites is to deceive users into thinking they are purchasing the service from an "official" site. Their target market is people who are careless, vulnerable, stupid etc. Their site might state that they are unaffiliated with the NHS (or whoever) but this is more about protecting themselves from being shut down or claims of fraud. They might also claim to carry out checks or provide a diary reminder service. This is really a fig-leaf.

Perhaps people think the Post Office check'n'send service for passports is a ripoff, and the EHIC "shyster" sites provide an honest service which people choose to buy.

"Objectively", both are probably within the law.

But in my view the what defines the "shyster" sites is that they depend on confusion/deception about who they are and what they can actually do in order to generate business.

Unfortunately you miss the entire point of this thread.

chattychappy

malkie76 wrote: »

Unfortunately you miss the entire point of this thread.

So if somebody disagrees with you, they've missed the point of the thread?

Pollycat

malkie76 wrote: »

Thank you for conceding my point. They provide a service that provides a solution to certain customers.

I've not conceded your point at all.

For the last time:

Pollycat wrote: »

It's a shyster website.

Pollycat wrote: »

The website you think is 'legitimate' is shyster.