Would you lend a stranger a pound?

[Nosha123]

I ask because I have a cunning plan up my sleeve (a la Baldrick!)

I am trying to set up a 'viral email' campaign to try and get people I know plus people they know (and so on) to lend me and my husband £1.

In return - I log all the details of people who contribute (via online banking) and we repay each and every person £1.25.

The money is for us to finish building our house - and the bank wont lend until its classed as 'habitable' so I need to find the money in the interim - then go to the bank - then repay everyone.. inc interest. Reckon the loan would be for just a year - then will be repaid.

My question is - Would people genuinely help us and lend £1 - or do you think people would think its a scam? How can I convince people we are legitimate and will honour each and every contribution?

What would put you off if you got the email - or what would interest you enough to help us both finish our 'dream'?

I am setting up a website where I will show photos of the house and us along with our 'story' and also how the money can be sent to us. Along with a blog which I will write as I go along.

Am genuinely interested in all your comments please - as I still dont know whether this is worth trying or not!!!! THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Nosha

PS: I got the idea from the USA where a girl did the same to raise money for her University fees...

[sara3]

my bathroom needs doing, btw.. £5k should do it ;o)

[Nosha123]

Whats not to understand Zacsmaster? Sorry maybe I have not been clear...
I ask for Mr X to lend me a pound - he transfers the £1.00 to our bank account via online banking - he uses his email address as the reference when sending the money.
I send an email to confirm receipt of money.
Then when I repay the £1.00 plus 25p interest I email him asking for his bank details and make the transfer.

Would this work???
Would welcome your thoughts!

[Nosha123]

well sara3.. who's to say that this couldnt become a national phenomena! If you had been one to lend me a pound.. I would certainly repay the favour! You just need another 4,999 people to do the same!

[jake-the-peg]

If I met them in the street - sure I would.

In response to an e-mail no way.

There are way too many scams out there with stories like that that people use to get a toe into other accounts.

I suggest to stand half a chance you need a web site with pictures of you and the house and a visitors book where people can type you messages of good luck etc.

Anything that validates you as a real person and not a scammer.

[Nosha123]

Hmm thanks Jake-the-peg.. thats what had me worried! I get enough emails telling me I have won £15,000,000 from Nigeria to know about email scams.... Maybe the email should just be a link to the website and I put all the details on there... Am happy to share and bore people with all our photos and our story if it helps convince them we are a genuine cause!
I would be posting my bank acc no and sort code on the website.. is this safe to do? Just worry what people can do with that kind of info - but didnt think money can be taken out only paid in.

[TheEqualizer]

Hi Nosha

The problem is the initial lay out of just a £1.....you're only giving back 25p to each person. And that is not too attractive a deal, is it?

What would probably work better for you in the long run, is for you to find one financier to put up say £20,000 and then repay them £25,000 after the year is up .....that keeps to the same percentage you were going to layout for the £1 paid to you, and saves you a WHOLE HEAP of bother, trouble, time and postage to pay all the investors back at the end of the term.

[lswan_2009]

in theory this sounds good, but i for one wouldn't want to email my bank details to a stranger, and i'm not sure it's safe for you to do the same thing? good luck though :0)

[jake-the-peg]

Is that safe to do?

No.

http://www.bestsecuritytips.com/news+article.storyid+441.htm

[sara3]

I've paid for a stranger's car park ticket, a stranger's tea and a bun in a cafe when they wouldn't accept their card payment, I give to charity... but I wouldn't lend someone I don't know a pound. most of us have our own needs and wants. it's not for a necessity and you're not a registered charity, so it's a no from me.

[TheEqualizer]

So...... as far as you're offer is concerned.........let me tell you where i am................

....................I'M OUT!

:0)

[jake-the-peg]

Better link

http://tinyurl.com/ycajcbv

[sara3]

my bathroom really does need doing, btw.. and you can trust me with your bank details ;o)

[TheEqualizer]

Talking of which......i'm off out......but btw.........i do you wish you well, Nosha and good luck on getting this done and the house ready.

Hope it works for you whatever way you do it.

All the best

yogi bear

[craft1948]

Nosha I'd give you a pound.....Sara you're being robbed....mine was only 3K.....

[snags]

Nice idea but I wouldn't be happy giving 'a friend of a friend of a friend' my bank details...

[TheEqualizer]

Hi sara

I'd trust you, sweetheart ( ? )

xx

[sara3]

don't worry craft, yogi is paying ;o)

[craft1948]

snags.....do you have a friend to have a friend of?

[pericat]

Its one thing giving someone a pound in real life but not over the internet - theres confidentiality issues and everything coming into play here. It would be interesting to see how much you could get though - but I wouldnt do it