I Don't understand why people use these Christmas saving schemes like Park

[Aeroflotgirl]

I have just read of another person conned by a Christmas saving scheme agent, spending all their money that they saved up each week and transferred to one of their friends acting as an agent.

Why not open up a small bank account and set up a standing order for X amount each month, then the money will be there for you to spend how you want when Christmas comes. The Saving schemes sound very inflexible, giving you vouchers for such and such website etc. I would rather the money there to spend in which retailer I want. No worry about agents spending your Christmas money, I just don't get it.

Because if the money is easily accessible then it's too easy to dip into when you're skint.

Because some people just can't do that, I struggle with money and I know I could take it out at anytime. If you use park and go through the official site and not just a random person you will be completely fine I think they even have a protection incase vouchers don't turn up.

This ^

X posted with @Breakyourselfagainstmystones

Oh right, the ones I read about, they gave the money to friends who acted as agents, they ran off with their money. The lady did not get her money back as she did not get a payment slips off the agent.

Because if I put my money into another account I would use it if an emergency came up, this way my children both get Christmas presents 🤷‍♀️

All those who like money being restricted - check out your local credit union. I've just opened an account to save for next Christmas and the money is locked away till the 1st November, plus I'll get interest and possibly a dividend bonus too! So it's the same but far less risky.

Like PPs have said you can save directly with Park to cut out the middle man. In answer to your original question I suppose the conned woman trusted her friend to not run off with her money. I always question why people trust friends to save their money for them.

And to add you can save toward a pre paid MasterCard which is accepted pretty much everywhere! It doesn’t have to be restricted to vouchers. Ps I’m not an agent

Oh really SciFi that is a fantastic idea, really good.

Oh right Bunnyhop, I diden't know that, a MasterCard sounds much better.

I've known someone to run off with the Christmas Club money three times. Not even run off actually. One of them who did, confessed all, was forgiven and still attends the social club whose members were her main victims. Beggars belief!

Poor Arthur though.

Leghairdontcare

The great thing about credit unions are that they are non-profit and ethical alternative to traditional banks, yet still protected by the banking guarantee thingy of up to £85,000! I can join one based on where I live and work. Some are associated with an employer - which means you can have deduction made from your salary before you get it. This really helps too.

We always use Park because otherwise we would spend the money we’ve saved in a bank account.

We don’t use an agent though, we do it direct with the company. Never had any issues and find it really works for us.

We always get a love to shop card, we mainly use it for the kids presents. We save about £30 a month and then get a lovely pre loaded card to spend. Works brilliantly.

If you have enough money to save into parks then you have enough money to save for different things. It may take two years, but it's better to actually start to save for what you needs rather than putting spare cash into parks but still find yourself wanting in other areas of your life.

Ie you put 20 into parks.. Instead put 7 into parks, 5 into x and the rest into another saving pot.

Which means you don't dip into Xmas when your skint because if you need food, you have food money, clothes you have clothes money... Etc etc.

It's what we did after scrimping and scrabbling.

Arthur, yes! Poor Arthur indeed.

Im an agent and have been for 23 years. And my mum was before me. I have loysl customers because im loyal to them. Your concept rarely happens.

Some people just cant put money aside and save as they will dip into it. Im more than happy to help them save.

I happily use Park, but I do it myself. There’s no need to use an agent.

If I wanted to lock the money away, the credit union bank idea sounds much better. I would not be happy to use an agent, or I would pay Park myself. There is always the possibility they could go bust in that time and there goes your money.

I'm surprised they've survived none of the others have. They never had agents in the past (and I'm talking years ago!) and would always say to use them direct due to the sheer number of people being conned.

so you have to pay to use the service?

Surely although tempting it's better to have your funds accessible in an emergency though? No I don't see the point in companies like park.

Park is a fab way to save. You don't pay to use it. However I'm not saving with them next year. Too many shops going bust. I converted the Debenhams cards I was getting into M&S vouchers just in case. I'm going to start saving with our local credit union instead.