Noel Ranson, sole proprietor at NSR Finance, contacted Mortgage Introducer about an advert he placed on the Premier Benefits website (www.premierbenefits.co.uk). After parting with £2,214.87 in September he is yet to receive a single enquiry.
He explained how Premier Benefits told him it had 30,000 union members nationwide each with a discount card giving access to a range of products and services at discounted prices or with added incentives via its website. Ranson was told only six companies were allowed in any one area in any category and that there had been 54 and 48 mortgage enquiries respectively for July in the Enfield and Barnet and Ilford areas.
He said: “I’m disappointed. I initially thought it might be my advert so I decided to contact the other people in the area. I managed to speak to five in December and the response was the same, no enquiries.”
David Jones, sole trader at Loughton Financial Services, said: “I signed up in September and have yet to have any enquiries. I shall be severing my ties at the earliest opportunity.”
Mark Potter, from Major Money Matters, signed up in August. He said: “I have yet to receive an enquiry. I sent them an e-mail asking if there is anything I can do to encourage enquiries and am still waiting for a response.”
Craig Heywood, customer service manager at Premier Benefits, responded: “We cannot guarantee the level of response that an advert can generate. They may not be getting enquiries because the discount or incentives offered may need amending or because of market forces. We have members from six to seven unions and we offer discount deals on various products but what you have to remember is that advertising is a speculative market.”
