carpetbagger.com

Advantages: High level of interest
Disadvantages: None

I strongly recommend Carpetbagger.com to anyone interested in the latest campaign news regarding possible building society, life company possible windfalls. They have an excellent on line discussion forum that includes sections aimed at mobilising mutual members to club together to form an effective lobby group putting resolutions to the remaining mutuals. They also have an interesting section on free stuff, competitions and other special offers. ... Read review

Advantages: Good domain name
Disadvantages: Everyones gone somewhere else!

Carpetbagger.com used to be the main site for carpetbaggers. However most of the leading lights there left 6 months ago and set up their own site at http://www.themoneybag.com The Money Bag is more active, has more features and better contributors. Carpetbagger.com has been resting on it's laurels too long and it's ownership by Totalise PLC has not brought the expected benefits. However both sites have their followers of course. I would suggest ... Read review

Advantages: Lively, Entertaining, widely recognised by TV + papers and makes you money!
Disadvantages: Controversial, considered unethical by some, mutual issues quiet at the moment but that may change

...opinions, good and bad! Carpetbagger.Com is now focussing on other 'Windfall Opportunities' too, like free offers on the web, Stockmarket gossip, Internet Companies offering free shares etc Buildign Societies haven't been forgotten though, and there's an on-line database of all the remaining Building Societies with details of what accounts are on offer and whether you are forced to signaway any potential windfalls. The hottest area has traditionally ... Read review

Advantages: more known generally
Disadvantages: poor content

This site has been around for some years now and was by many considered "the" source of carpetbagging information. Many campaigns were conceived here and for a while it was awesome. Then things startyed to change. The Building Societies got their staff to sabotage the site with stupid postings to try and discredit carpetbagging. In particular Brittania were very devious with some of their tactics. Also The Mad Butler was allowed to use the site ...
...the movement. Slowly the regular contributors moved away (I was one - Mr AMP!) Now things are improving again with www.themoneybag.com, which has quickly established itself as a worthy replacement to carpetbagger.com. Content is great, links are better. Go to both and make up your own mind. Carpetbagger still has its moments, but I find themoneybag far superior. ... Read review

Advantages: free emailing service ,good genral info on demutualisations and associated rumours
Disadvantages: sometimes a bit too general and also some silly postings too ,on occasion

This site although not unique is still one of my "favourites".It is well laid out and not only do you obtain the latest information regarding demutualizations ,in the insurance and building society sectors,but you also can obtain accurate information regarding the latest campaigns, aimed at conversions of mutual organisations and many other non-related freebies.They also run an email register so that you can be informed of the latest demutualization ...
...few years and credit them with helping me obtain windfalls and shares that i otherwise would not have received(as the information is posted on the site ,so quickly).For example i have free shares in themutual.net and totalise.net all thanks to this website,and only recently,received a windfall from the bradford and bingley too, thanks carpetbagger.com!!!!! ... Read review

Advantages: Advice from a good community, windfall info
Disadvantages: No tools - quite specific to carpetbagging

...The Moneybag.co.uk is basically a windfall website, much like the Carpetbagger.com, which revolves around about ten discussion forums that help out the less knowledgable investor. There are a hardcore group of users who provide most of the information and comments as well as a professional IFA so this site is very good if you have some questions and can't find the info on the web - or don't want to pay for it. Apart from the obvious advantage of being part of and having access to a financially aware community there are also a few good tips regarding good deals that are available on the web - free stuff and the like. As a finance site, however, the impression of the Moneybag has got to be tempered by the fact that it is in essence a discussion forum. There's very little non-carpetbagging content on the site... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reasonable terms
Disadvantages: They're still just after yer dosh

...Carpetbagger(n) An astute investor, often of modest means, who spots brilliant investment opportunities. In recent years, the best opportunities have come from mutual building societies and insurers; opening membership accounts for as little as £100 to qualify for windfalls from the inevitable process of conversion and takeover. (With the greatest thanks to the Carpetbagger site - http://www.mywebcommunities.com/carpetbagger/ ) Carpetbagging was a big thing a while back, the practice of spying out a likely mutual building society which was likely to convert at the drop of a hat, thus making any members liable to reap a huge windfall following the conversion. Thousands were made by a few lucky people and just as the bandwagon really got rolling the attention of the peddlers in greed turned upon the Nationwide Building Society... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful