I m new(ish) to the world of ETFs and this forum. Enjoying reading some old posts. 
6 Likes
It was a great forum. And I mean great. And it may be again one day. But still fab that you can look back and see the Buffet-Esque genius of our conversations (and whether Boohoo would be 50p or more on any given day) 
6 Likes
This sums it up 100%!!! All the talk of bad market being reason or the government etc is wrong.
This forum used to feel valued and that in turn made the members feel important which then created a great culture. @NeilB was obviously the stand out but there were a good few others I would know I would read from daily/weekly and raise a smile.
Many were constantly talking about seeing red only then so certainly it wasnt for the good times. 
At the peak the R7 happened and everyone was sold a great company and then proceeded to invest lots and lose loads. This is NOT FTs fault at all but the sudden decline in active engagement from them following this period just reinforced a view that the forum are just numbers.
This unfortunately started to highlight the year delay on swag, roll out delays and issues with NFT’s etc. It is still a great company/app and recommended but such a shame/loss that they didnt invest a tiny fraction of the money given to influencers etc to keep the forum a buzzing place for a longer period.
Anyhow hope you are all well!
11 Likes
This is the first post on this forum in 4 days, I think that speaks for itself, I’m also really disappointed that no one from Freetrade commented on this thread.
Neil was the life and soul of the forum, it’s absolute madness that they won’t employ a part-time moderator to welcome new members and keep the forum running well, it’s one of the main things that has kept me with Freetrade. The customer is always right and Freetrade need to listen to the feedback they are being given!
10 Likes
same I agree with both of you, and good to see you both @Big-g and @Emmie incidentally, an all too rare occurance from when I regularly used to post (I think once every two months I might see something where I can make a useful contribution!).
I think not only the lack of FreeTrade involvement speaks volumes but that users on this forum actually say that they add users to their ignore lists when they point out FT’s flaws and object to unfavourable comparisons with other providers shows just how unwilling to listen FT and their supporters are. I suspect I am one of those on the ignore lists as I’ve openly said that I switched my FT ISA to another, I can tell you that forum is an enormous contrast to this one, their staff are engaged every day, as soon as you report a problem, their staff respond; all suggestions have staff at least say they will look into the suggestion. OK, there are lots of things I wish would be implemented and I’m realistic enough to understand that not everything can be, but their web and mobile apps are vastly superior and communication is key, something which FT has had pointed out to them but refuse to address! FT ignore users on the forum and they also refuse to fix anything that is reported to their support, I found customer service for non-Plus users to be almost non-existent.
One area where this forum could have the edge over my new provider is that they open threads for each stock, something which would have huge potential if FT proactively added to these threads and made them into a great resource for users. It’s a shame they don’t fulfil that potential.
Let’s see if this post is hidden by users or removed by admin as seems to happen to all criticisms of FT, that will only go to prove my point, however!
4 Likes
Bit curious - How much for you invested?
I thought it was 18k or something can’t remember now.
I’m curious that why we relied on Neil to do everything in the past, why doesn’t the community all play their part and make games up etc everyday for people to do.
Me however I’m quite happy to just log on 4 to 5 times a day and go for a peak see if there’s any crazy or interesting news while still listening to my pod casts, and youtube information videos.
I think more than ever we live in such a busy world these days who has time for anything these days but can agree the forms less active than it once was but when it was last active for me was when everyone thought they were getting rich with Freetrade crowdfunding and or the markets were on the up, but…
Everything’s changed now, people have left, people have joined, people talk less, people talk more, things change and always will change. I guess we will see where this next chapter takes us all.
My portfolios so small that I don’t need concern myself with constant battles of which broker does a and b and which has this fee and that fee and should I transfer this one to that broker to save pennies etc but needs must I guess.
4 Likes
I have to admit since NeilB stopped moderating it has been very boring.
And just my own opinion others may disagree but to me it seems as Freetrade has stopped listening and doing what users want in favour at what the company wants regardless of if its core to what many of us want to see.
And I am tending to lose faith in Freetrade as every time they say they are going to implement its rarely ever comes off or if it does it long after rivals have done it and they lose some of the core faithful customers.
I have to admit I am excited to see what RobinHood will bring to the table soon as even if they only start with US stocks no way are they going to be as expensive as Freetrade as the FX fees are so much more expensive than others in the same customer class as Freetrade are in.
Currently looking at other providers as many offer US, UK & EU which means Freetrade is lagging behind on it competitors.
5 Likes
I think the reality of FT taking a step back is reflected in the fires spreading across the globe.
When there is plenty of money about, governments can employ people in forestry and conservation - the people who also cut fire-breaks in forests.
On the balance books conservation appears a waste of money because it is a tiny part of our economies - but in reality, without proper care and attention, neglecting the people who have the historical and scientific knowledge of wildfires results in the expected destruction of communities and people ironically scratching their heads wondering how it happened. The conservationists have been shouting about this for decades - and native communities before them!
What @NeilB did was to act as not just a forestry and conservation officer but also a fire-fighter. FreeTrade may be up-to-their-eyeballs in seemingly more important things - but an unmoderated forum does pose a risk. A moderated one, however is a positive boon for everyone. I would certainly not have invested as much without this forum, nor opened a pension or persisted in my learning without you lot helping me along the way and thanks to this forum.
Generally the forum is ok and some of us do moderate but not like Neil! I probably would never had engaged initially had it not been for the excellent content he created. It really was useful and he felt to me like part of my FreeTrade experience. A sentiment clearly shared by anyone who (virtually) knows him.
8 Likes
I used to include my FT shares in my Net Worth Tracker ( at R3 / R5 cost price ) but I’ve written them down to zero now. No complaints as any crowdfund is a gamble, however I sympathise with those who bought at R7.
2 Likes
Freetrade will still IPO above £10 in 2025 so round 7 investors will be ok
Regarding @NeilB he volunteered to be a community monitor while knowing the baby was coming and then spat the dummy out the pram when he tried to hold a gun to Freetrades head to get paid for doing it and they never entertained him so he left his voluntarily position.
I hope you and your family are doing well and have managed to find employment
2 Likes
We all contribute to the forum in different ways, some more than others, some as advisors and some as trolls🧌 but we accept them all cos they just keep creating new accounts.
8 Likes
I admire your optimism.
4 Likes
If you’re referring to me @1anrs, well you’re not on my list as I see a difference between what you write and the ‘spam’ which I can’t be bothered to read.
Looks like I’ve been daft/honest (delete as applicable) enough to admit to using these tools available on the forum but the alternative would be to not come to the forum any more.
2 Likes
I admit that I did notice your post, but I didn’t quote you directly and I tried to paraphrase widely as I was trying to make a more general point rather than point the finger at anyone specifically. I’ve had the experience across a few threads where I’ve seen certain users (not you) shouting down people when they criticise FT and obviously others will simply ignore criticism. I was trying to highlight the phenomenon of FT and users closing their ears to, what I hope is mostly constructive, criticism from the likes of me who have, of course, left FT but still feel that I can provide good feedback which, if FT and their supporters listen, could lead to a much better product and fewer people leaving.
FWIW, I should say I always like your posts as I’m always able to learn something from them, whether I happen to agree or disagree on that particular occasion.
4 Likes
Freetrade could create a yearly community award for the community members that provide value. This way there is no payroll and they still keep engagement and some housekeeping.
Just an idea 
11 Likes
There are really interesting gamification plugins offered by discourse, who make this software.
I asked for be implemented as I thought it would be really fun
If someone wants to start an “ideas” id vote for it.
5 Likes
The only big word I understood in your first sentence Neil was “software”. And to be fair when I think about it I can only say it’s not a bit of a megadrive
4 Likes