Farepack Hampers Fiasco?

Question

I have been following the news and quite honestly, I'm astounded at the media attention this Farepack hamper company is being given, and the please for help. I cannot understand why people have even been considering this as a means to providing for Christmas, the hampers are ridiculously over priced, the toys and gifts, crap and vouchers, well, they can be purchased throughout the year. So why, do so many of the so called 'low income' groups fall for this type of business, why not simply be self disciplined and save money in a bank where you cannot get access without say 90 days' notice, or buy vouchers throughout the year and put safe to one side, and with regards food, why not simply put aside the free goods on the BOGOFF deals?
I also do not understand the government giving this air time, this is a business gone bust, if it were a sofa company with promises to deliver in time fro Christmas, and went bust, they would'nt be getting air time in the House of Commons? WHY, is this?

FYI...When I was int he UK, many years ago I was a low income, single parent, and I managed to save and budget according to my low/non existant income, so I'm not on a moral high horse, but someone who's been there and done it. I suppose as the company was not offering credit of any kind, it didnt fall under the FSA rules, however, other businesses fail all the time, with far less fluff and waffle....

Answer 1

You are as puzzled as I. When you consider the number of commercial failures that have happened in the past, the failed pensions scandal, which is far worse, it makes you wonder.

The bit that really galls me is the way people are getting morally blackmailed over this, the implication that if you are a big business and don't cough up for McCartney's initiative, you are somehow a hard-hearted Scrooge.

The fault does lie with the govt. but only in the sense that it has never legislated to rein in the bosses, who laugh all the way to the bank and still live in leafy suburbia, while the losers, whether they are daft hamper buyers or genuine shareholders, still suffer.

Answer 2

Unfortunately many people simply don't have the self discipline to put money aside and this is the only way they can sensibly save for Christmas. Bear in mind many of these people don't even have bank accounts and live in a cash-only world.

Someone comes to their door and collects the cash from them each week. Once the cash has been handed over they can't spend it - which otherwise they probably would. Likewise if the people bought the vouchers themselves from the high street shops, it would be too much of a temptation to spend the vouchers whenever money was tight.

So, although a commercial organisation (and hence in business to make money) Farepak did actually provide a useful service to those without financial discipline. These people were showing sense by planning ahead and planning for Xmas rather than building up debt.

Dint forget that Farepak didn't make money from the people saving, but made the money by getting bulk discounts. Unfortunately when they went bust it was the savers who suffered - and those savers are generally those who can least afford it, hence the national interest.

Answer 3

Thank Taurus that there are people like you with a brain, and the other answer in concurrence with you; And here I was thinking I was the last of my kind.

I too am completely astounded that some people prepare for christams in this way, amongst other things; Did you know that over 1m Brits DO NOT HAVE a bank account. wtf????

I bear further good news though; Darwin states that the worst of the species will be kicked out, so some day there might only be ones like us left. What joy, none of their idioticisms to put up with.

I hope you continue to use your brain and remain the top notch thinker you are!

Answer 4

Ive lost £960 in present vouchers and my agent has despatched off for a claims p.c.. to initiate claiming our money returned,yet as far as i comprehend we are meant to be getting a number of our money returned yet no longer all of it and it ought to take months..additionally i heard that Farepak had invested each-ones income a procuring channel which in no way took off and that's how they went bust,,yet i'm basically repeating what Ive heard.

Answer 5

because as you state it mainly affects the poor .people who may not be self disciplined enough to budget for Christmas and why has this company left it so late as to collect all the cash then announce its going bust...you can bet your bottom dollar the directors of this company wont be going short this Christmas

Answer 6

It's alright to be on a high horse when it's not your problem isn't it?