what exactly do people want?

[pinkshoes]

Sorry folks - this is a rant. I've just been at a local FH exhibition (in England). One of the people representing a local FHS told me she had been researching on SP on behalf of a friend. She said it had really made her angry to have to pay "one of these points things" every time she wanted to look at an index. In this lady's opinion SP were a bit greedy and she had trouble finding her way round the site, moan moan - she much preferred the English system.

There followed an exchange during which I pointed out that although SP charge for using their site the amount of information and ease of access, not to mention viewing/downloading copies of actual register extracts puts the Scottish system light years ahead of any English source and if it comes to money grabbing the English would put anyone to shame with a system that forces you to part with seven quid for a certificate with a one-in-who-knows-how-many chance that it'll be right, and no sensible way of narrowing down the field beforehand, but if that's what she feels comfortable with, then each to her own.

I could have gone on to point out that admittedly I'd lingered more than half a minute at her stand before being pounced upon, and despite saying I was only there with a friend and had no ancestors in the area, I was nevertheless "invited" to "join up" (part with dosh) while I waited And my pal felt obliged to part with £4 for 2 pages off a printer which were on their way out of the machine before she'd agreed she'd like them.

Despite that, it was quite a nice day out

I do get homesick sometimes


Yours rantingly
Pinkshoes

PS I do feel better now

[LesleyB]

Hi Pinkshoes
Do you think at the heart of this problem was the fact that this woman had been researching "on SP on behalf of a friend." I certainly find that if I'm researching my own lot, although aware of the cost, I'm not too worried by it, but if spending credits on someone else's tree I do tend to be a bit more aware of exactly how much it is costing me! Maybe she is just miffed 'cos:

• a. her friend is not offering any compensation/bottles of wine/favours in return etc &
  b. she recognises that we have access to more & much fuller information ...but wouldn't admit it!

Best wishes
Lesley

[DavidWW]

And we just won the Calcutta Cup !!

David

[LesleyB]

oh, and...
c. someone had press-ganged her into doing a "stint" on the FH stall when she had in mind far more interesting and exciting plans for the weekend

[Clydesdale]

Just been to my first meeting of the West Midlands branch meeting of Aberdeen FHS this afternoon, and everyone there was saying just how bad the English system was.

To cheer them up I was telling them just how good TS was and that they MUST drop in to register and meet you all. With any luck they will.

So pinkshoes - your answer was spot on and she didn't have a leg to stand on - just like the English at the Calcutta Cup - eh David?

Cheers
Helen

[pinkshoes]

Hi All

Yes Lesley you're likely right on all three! David & Clydesdale - wha's like us!!

Cheers
Pinkshoes

PS - whit's a Calcutta Cup


edit : My English friend has just told me THREE CHEERS FOR SCOTLAND - Hooray!

[ASGROOMBRIDGE]

Hi Pink Shoes,

Dont blame you having a rant, as someone who has to use both SP and the English system I feel its time England got it's act together and put a system in place like SP. All of my English only research friends envy me SP. I also have a few English certs that dont belong to me, at least for £7 of my hard earned cash on SP I would know if I had the right person or not.

Now I am English and proud of it but also proud of my mothers family who are all Scottish.

Oh GRUDGINGLY well done yesterday, I really enjoyed the rugby even though we lost,

Audrey