Federation of Small Businesses

Federation of Small Businesses

Author
Discussion

Taita

Original Poster:

7,592 posts

202 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
Had a bloke round about these guys, I'm quite impressed, loads of discounts on business services, insurance, 24 7 legal advice for you personally and any business problems. They pay any accountants fees should you get investigated by HMRC.

All for £120. They're non-profit too. Worth it?

Plotloss

67,280 posts

269 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
Definitely.

groomi

9,317 posts

242 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
Another nod from me. The amount I saved on my insurance in the first year has covered my membership for about three years!

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
I think that they are very good.

I was a member up until this year but, since I am also a member of three professional bodies, I thought that the FSB membership was a bit of overkill.

mwg123

148 posts

198 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
Bang On! There card machine deals are great too.

EINSIGN

5,493 posts

245 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
Their legal helpline is great, plus you can download just about every type of business template you need once a member.

detchibe

471 posts

221 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
This is all music to my ears - I too joined yesterday!

timskipper

1,297 posts

265 months

Friday 13th March 2009
quotequote all
Another happy member here.

Taita

Original Poster:

7,592 posts

202 months

Friday 13th March 2009
quotequote all
<signs dotted line>

Thanks guys smile

Dilligaf10

2,431 posts

209 months

Friday 13th March 2009
quotequote all
timskipper said:
Another happy member here.
+1
Their networking meetings are good in this area, picked up a bit of business through them.

groomi

9,317 posts

242 months

Friday 13th March 2009
quotequote all
Dilligaf10 said:
timskipper said:
Another happy member here.
+1
Their networking meetings are good in this area, picked up a bit of business through them.
What sort of industries do you find heavily represented at your networking metings?

TotalControl

8,016 posts

197 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
Sorry to dig out an old thread. But I was quite intrigued when Plotters mentioned the FSB on a different thread. I there any way of giving a bit more information about what advantages you get with this membership?

speedchick

5,173 posts

221 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
TotalControl said:
Sorry to dig out an old thread. But I was quite intrigued when Plotters mentioned the FSB on a different thread. I there any way of giving a bit more information about what advantages you get with this membership?
Oh I didn't know there was a thread about this, I had a phone call from them last week, saying that they were wanting to visit people in my area next week, and could they come and see me, I asked them how much it was and they told me that it wouldn't cost anything to join, so I asked them to send me some information, the woman I spoke to said that she would, and also gave me the website details.

I got back from the break last night, to find I had received a letter from them on Saturday confirming the visit next week, also it's not quite as free as the lady on the phone made out.

Am in two minds about this, first I only asked for information, I didn't agree to the meeting, and she gave me wrong information, and not what I asked for, plus as a one person band, who already has public and product liability, is it actually worth me signing up for?

TotalControl

8,016 posts

197 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
It would be nice if the guys who commented last year (or others with similar experiences) about signing up could give some of us newbies a heads up on how they've benefited from joining. What type of offers do they give? However, I haven't received a call yet (I may be too new for this).

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Monday 17th May 2010
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TotalControl said:
It would be nice if the guys who commented last year (or others with similar experiences) about signing up could give some of us newbies a heads up on how they've benefited from joining. What type of offers do they give? However, I haven't received a call yet (I may be too new for this).
to be honest the three main things
1) card processing
2)free banking
3)cheap insurance

all of these are available ,cheaper elsewhere
the free legal advice when i needed it was pretty useless

ClassicMercs

1,703 posts

180 months

Tuesday 18th May 2010
quotequote all
As mantioned higher up - its the legal helpline. Cheap guidance when removing problem employees. Follow their guidance and they wikk cover any costs associated with the odd tribunal that will sometimes follow.

nobodyknows

12,034 posts

168 months

Saturday 29th May 2010
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been a memeber on & off for almost 20yrs - very much worth it especially if you have employees as their legal help is worth its weight in gold

samrr

2,362 posts

227 months

Saturday 29th May 2010
quotequote all
I joined for the reasons above plus:

They pay your accountants fees if there is an investigation and as long as you follow their advice they will pay for all employment tribunal legal costs and payouts if you loose.


nobodyknows

12,034 posts

168 months

Saturday 29th May 2010
quotequote all
depending on what your line of business is they also offer a range of networking/social meetings & business directories etc that could be invaluable - no use to us as we are primarily a trade only supplier but I can imagine a lot of members cover their membership cost just from these. There are also discounts etc from card payments/banking etc - we tend to negotiaite our own discounts but if you are a smaller business these discounts could make a big difference. The sticker looks good on your front door too!

nobodyknows

12,034 posts

168 months

Saturday 29th May 2010
quotequote all
jas xjr said:
TotalControl said:
It would be nice if the guys who commented last year (or others with similar experiences) about signing up could give some of us newbies a heads up on how they've benefited from joining. What type of offers do they give? However, I haven't received a call yet (I may be too new for this).
to be honest the three main things
1) card processing
2)free banking
3)cheap insurance

all of these are available ,cheaper elsewhere
the free legal advice when i needed it was pretty useless
shame to hear that, we have used it several times over the years & although they are not always the friendliest people their information & advice has saved us time & money both when employing people & needing general day to day advice & when we have had to let 'bad' employees go.