Park - Saving for Xmas 08, worth it or steer well clear?

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Wow - if in the extrememly unlikely case it happens then i'll lose a maximum of £150 pounds as thats all i have decided to pay in over the course of 45 weeks - the other over £1500 will be in the Chorley account, yep gaining me interest, and that should cover all of the rest at christmas.

I think you are all a little more stong willed than i am thats all - if i had a year to save i would be putting it in a locked account with a set min payment but as i only have approx 10 months before beginning 2008 xmas shopping. I know with the Chorley account as its optional i'll prob miss a few payments as 'something will come up' so at least i'll have xmas shopping in M&S taken care of and little lady's xmas dress which i like to buy in M&S too.

Thanks for all of your help though as just wanted to know peoples experience with Park.

surfsister

anyone find out about the post office benefits that come with the account?

georgiasmum

I always save with park and would thoroughly recommend them. Yes, you are slightly restricted as not all stores take the vouchers but the list is ever growing. I like the fact the savings are now ring fenced and it is a great way to shop - I gave some vouchers to a friend this year who is in a tight spot and it really helped her. BTW I am not an agent with loads of customers - just buy for myself but people do seem to make a living from it!

margaretclare

Ellie-belle

Written with the kindest possible intention, but....wouldn't you be better taking the start of this New Year as a new start and, instead of writing 'I'm so terrible', take advantage of all the information which is available on this site and start to become less 'terrible'?

Christmas will come and go. It's one day. You sound like a young person. Never mind Christmas 2008, think of learning better money-management skills for your long-term future.

Best wishes

Margaret

Hungerdunger

Until about a year ago I was a trader who took Park's High Street Vouchers.

I have no idea how safe your money is with them, but I can tell you that they were consistently late in sending me cheques for the vouchers I had returned to them - sometimes by only a few days, but sometimes by several weeks - and it used to worry me that perhaps their finances were not sound enough to make payments on time. Hopefully it was just that they weren't operating efficiently, or they realised that by paying everyone late they could earn lots of extra interest on the money in the bank!.

wornoutmumoftwo

I have been with Park for years and there is something in place to protect your money and avoid another farepak scenario.

I only buy my vouchers from them about £100, so I have something to use come christmas, there is no extra cost on vouchers though if you can save you're obviously better off doing that.

You get commission for each year you've been a member and for each customer you have (I think, it's something like that anyway).

I got £2 commission this year for just £50 in vouchers.

Wouldn't buy toys or gifts from them as the prices are extortionate compared to the high street, also the food.

I actually ordered the exact same products from Tesco's for my mum that she was expecting via a specific hamper, and it was nearly £50 cheaper in Tesco's then their prices.