moneysavingexpert

[Rob]

The high profile momeysavingexpert.com website has sold to moneysavingsupermarket

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18295587

I know a lot of people found moneysavingexpert, and particularly the advice given out by it's founder to be useful. I'm not so sure it will stay truly independent, and have such influence, if it's now part of a price comparison website who's ultimate aim is to make commission from flogging the best value service?

[downquark1]

FAQ on the matter http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/new...ermarket-group

I'm not too worried, they have a public forum, if they give out bad advice someone will complain there.

[m8internet]

Originally Posted by Rob

I'm not so sure it will stay truly independent, and have such influence, if it's now part of a price comparison website who's ultimate aim is to make commission from flogging the best value service?

Martin Lewis was always promoting using comparison sites, so there never was any true impartiality
There were already several commission links to comparison sites, so expect to see these dropped in the very near future

On the plus-side Martin will remain on the editing team, but I wouldn't expect that to last any longer than 18 months

[Lord Nikon]

Originally Posted by m8internet

Martin Lewis was always promoting using comparison sites, so there never was any true impartiality
There were already several commission links to comparison sites, so expect to see these dropped in the very near future

On the plus-side Martin will remain on the editing team, but I wouldn't expect that to last any longer than 18 months

I'd agree based on past observations of when sites get sold to corporate entities.

[danielf]

The two websites already have a very close business relationship.

In the 12 months to the end of last October, MoneySavingExpert generated revenues of nearly £16m from 39 million users.

Of this income, about 59% was earned from referral fees paid by MoneySupermarket.

MoneySavingExpert made the bulk of its money from referrals to MoneySupermarket. It makes sense for MoneySuperMarket to buy them. Also, it's hard to consider a site independent when it draws so much income from one source, even if it's a rival comparison site.

[v0id]

Originally Posted by danielf

MoneySavingExpert made the bulk of its money from referrals to MoneySupermarket. It makes sense for MoneySuperMarket to buy them. Also, it's hard to consider a site independent when it draws so much income from one source, even if it's a rival comparison site.

With the new EU cookie rules, referral websites may well become a thing of the past
So yeah it makes sense for ..Saving Expert but what will ..Supermarket get out of it?

[bonzoe]

Originally Posted by v0id

With the new EU cookie rules, referral websites may well become a thing of the past
So yeah it makes sense for ..Saving Expert but what will ..Supermarket get out of it?

Another mailing list?

[Skully]

and ongoing long term referral traffic.

Gotta catch em all!