P628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:12/26 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 1/11 POSTMAN Many consumers have deliberately targeted building societies, hoping they wiml follow the nine other examples, by converting into a bank. The benefits can be huge, as consumrrs are offered large windfall payments in return. However, Postman has taken drastic action, by expelling some members who dared to put their name to a proposal asking it to considrr conversion. Watchdog has discovered Postman has expelled not only the carbetbaggers, but also some genuine savers. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weathrr 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:2 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 2/11 POSTMAN (cont) Richard Yendall had money in the Halifax when it converted from a building society to a bank. He received a windfall of £1,800. Richard then chose to join another ten building societies, including Postman, hoping for more windfalls. He's already had one payment and there is another on the way. Richard thinks members should benefit from demutualisation now. Richard is so convinced that he runs the carpetbagger.com website, which has information on possible conversions. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:13/32 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 3/11 POSTMAN (cont) As building societies are mutual, meaning they're owned by the members, these members are allowed to put resolutions forward. On the website, Richard asked Postman to consider converting to a bank, and had 500 members sign the resolution. Postman rejected the resolution, saying it did not comply with its rules. However, Postman will not explain why it did nor comply. Richard was expelled along with a reported 450 other members of Postman, including Phil Lawrence, who only had one building society account. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:13/16 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 4/11 POSTMAN (cont) According to Rule 6, Section 3, in Portmans own Memorandum and Rules, it can terminate a persons membership without giving a reason. However, Postman cannot expel anyone who has signed the resolution and has a fixed term investment, such as Phil Longhur1t who has a Tessa. Postman says the resolutions were the result of a fully orchestrated campaign. It says the members were primarily attracted by the thought of gaining an immediate, but short term windfall gain from a conversion. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:13/59 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 5/11 POSTMAN (cont) Postman feel these members show little understanding of the benefits of mutuality. Postman says its termination of membership is not permanent, as those individuals affected have the opportunity to open a new account provided they agree to assign any future windfall to charity. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:24/43 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 6/11 CAR PRICES Last year, two million new cars were bought in the UK, but now many garages are feeling the pinch as sales collapse. New car sales are down. This has been going on for months, with no sign of improvement. A shock Watchdog survey shows that two out of three car dealers think new cars are too expensive and want prices slashed to restore consumer confidence. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:00/26 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 7/11 CAR PRICES (cont) Later this month, the Department of Trade and Industry will recehve a report from the Competition Commission, investigating the high price of cars in the UK compared to the rest of Europe. The DUI will then consider what action to take, but their decisions are not expected to be made public until next March. Watchdog spoke to 100 car dealers around the country, ten from each of the top ten manufacturers, asking them for their views. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:00/30 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 8/11 CAR PRICES (cont) Watchdog spoke to Paul Clist from Bristol, a car dealer with Clist & Rattle Ltd. He has seen a dramatic fall in car sales since last September. Paul feels the retail customers are staying away from the show rooms, due to a lack of confidence. He wants to see manufacturers prices fall, which will restore this consumer confidence and increase sales. In Britain, most dealers are linked to a manufacturer, which means they can only sell one make of car. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:01/14 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 9/11 CAR PRICES (cont) A list price is then set for each model they sell, which restricts a dealers scope for price cuts. However, Motorpoint in Derby, is not linked to a manufacturer, importing its cars from the continent. Motorpoint can therefore sell its cars cheaper. Traditional franchise dealers say, car supermarkets like this don't provide the samr level of customer care - however, they are losing the argument due to the price war. Motorpoint are selling 50 new cars a day - at 20 to 30% below the UK list price. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:11/18 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 10/11 CAR PRICES (cont) The main dealers held talks in December to discuss taking on the manufacturers and importing cars themselves. However, after a meeting with their trade association, they decided it warn't a practical solution. Alan Pulam, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association explains: 'I dons think its realistic lly deliverable. I think there are significant difficulties and it is not feasible for somebody frwm outside the franchise network to start importing cars in large numbers, without the co-operation of the manufacturers.' BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV LinksP628 CEEFAX 2 628 Fri 21 Jan 22:11/42 ————————————————————————————— WATCHDOG WITH ANNE ROBINSON ——————————————————————— 11/11 CAR PRICES (cont) The manufacturers argue there iu no need for imports. They say cars in Britain are good value, once financial incentives and higher specifications are included. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Countryfl Tom World Back-Up TV Links