GransportFan1
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what about cleaning such as cleaning the bathrooms? and hoovering?
Anyone here ever invested in trees?
- Thread starter Dan!
- Start date
Paco
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Ok, let's not be totally negative, a diversified portfolio is, after all, the secret to investment success. That and insider trading ;o) And you can't get an asset much less correlated to stock markets than a teak tree or 12.
Where to begin - well I tend to look at the small print first so let's go to the back of the bumpf.
This is an unregulated investment, so no advice, no protection and no requirement to meet certain standards of transparency. You're on your own.
There are no guarantees - GFI make this clear despite stating elsewhere a min. 10% ROI.
GFI also absolve themselves of the accuracy of any representations made, although whether this would stand up is another matter.
So who are GFI? They are a commission agent - free of responsibility and liability yet able to take undisclosed commission and pay undisclosed commission to introducers, typically IFA's, estate agents, Joe Schmo in the pub, whoever, it doesn't matter because they aren't regulated. For the record commission can run up to and beyond 10% of the sum invested on such products.
Will GFI be around when the sproggo reaches 18? I'd put money on them being gone by the time sproggo starts primary school.
Will the UK Trust? Probably. Citadel are FSA authorised at least so have to undertak the Trustee obligations within regulations.
Will the asset the Trust has purchased - shares in a company remember NOT land - be worth anything? Well that depends on rather too much for my liking. Class of shares? Current trading position of the company? Copy accounts for the last x years please? Who owns the other 14%???? What else does the compan do/owe? Who does it report to? Are the accounts audited in the UK? I could go on, but you knew that right???
What happens if the forest burns down, proof of insurance please. Storm damage? Likewise.
And fraud??? Because that never happens in South America!!!
There's no transparency to the running costs, and who the **** are these "Rental companies? Lots more due diligence required there, no guarantees and a clear opportunity to be fleeced.
Ok I'm beginning to sound like I'm on a soap-box, less vino Paco and more curry....
In summary this is a punt, with several opportunities for someone to depart with your money and no chance of recovering it. I'm sure the promoter has the best of intentions but they have absolutely zero requirement to thoroughly research it. Have they obtained a physical copy of the title deeds from the Brazilian solicitor they are using? Of course not.
There isn't even an escrow facility as far as I can see, but I did get a bit annoyed and started to skim read so I could post!!!
£5k is money that you may be able to risk totally, a bit like Dem and his Boxster, it wouldn't kill you if you lost it, but why take the risk at all? Give it to me and I might give you £50k in 18 years time. Or I might not. That's kind of the summary!!
Alternatives? Property is probably out of your budget unless you can stretch to fractional ownership, but that's a whole other post!! Beyond the obvious funds and stocks with dividends reinvested (look that up over 18 years and see the compound effect) if you want something esoteric why not wine? A diminishing asset, the emerging economies are consuming it, not storing it, demand/supply in 18 years time of decent recent vintages could mean a great little earner. Plus it is a genuine tangible asset, if it isn't worth much at the end you could have a great party instead.
Oh and guess what, you can sell it whenever you like.
I've got some magic beans by the way... !!!
Where to begin - well I tend to look at the small print first so let's go to the back of the bumpf.
This is an unregulated investment, so no advice, no protection and no requirement to meet certain standards of transparency. You're on your own.
There are no guarantees - GFI make this clear despite stating elsewhere a min. 10% ROI.
GFI also absolve themselves of the accuracy of any representations made, although whether this would stand up is another matter.
So who are GFI? They are a commission agent - free of responsibility and liability yet able to take undisclosed commission and pay undisclosed commission to introducers, typically IFA's, estate agents, Joe Schmo in the pub, whoever, it doesn't matter because they aren't regulated. For the record commission can run up to and beyond 10% of the sum invested on such products.
Will GFI be around when the sproggo reaches 18? I'd put money on them being gone by the time sproggo starts primary school.
Will the UK Trust? Probably. Citadel are FSA authorised at least so have to undertak the Trustee obligations within regulations.
Will the asset the Trust has purchased - shares in a company remember NOT land - be worth anything? Well that depends on rather too much for my liking. Class of shares? Current trading position of the company? Copy accounts for the last x years please? Who owns the other 14%???? What else does the compan do/owe? Who does it report to? Are the accounts audited in the UK? I could go on, but you knew that right???
What happens if the forest burns down, proof of insurance please. Storm damage? Likewise.
And fraud??? Because that never happens in South America!!!
There's no transparency to the running costs, and who the **** are these "Rental companies? Lots more due diligence required there, no guarantees and a clear opportunity to be fleeced.
Ok I'm beginning to sound like I'm on a soap-box, less vino Paco and more curry....
In summary this is a punt, with several opportunities for someone to depart with your money and no chance of recovering it. I'm sure the promoter has the best of intentions but they have absolutely zero requirement to thoroughly research it. Have they obtained a physical copy of the title deeds from the Brazilian solicitor they are using? Of course not.
There isn't even an escrow facility as far as I can see, but I did get a bit annoyed and started to skim read so I could post!!!
£5k is money that you may be able to risk totally, a bit like Dem and his Boxster, it wouldn't kill you if you lost it, but why take the risk at all? Give it to me and I might give you £50k in 18 years time. Or I might not. That's kind of the summary!!
Alternatives? Property is probably out of your budget unless you can stretch to fractional ownership, but that's a whole other post!! Beyond the obvious funds and stocks with dividends reinvested (look that up over 18 years and see the compound effect) if you want something esoteric why not wine? A diminishing asset, the emerging economies are consuming it, not storing it, demand/supply in 18 years time of decent recent vintages could mean a great little earner. Plus it is a genuine tangible asset, if it isn't worth much at the end you could have a great party instead.
Oh and guess what, you can sell it whenever you like.
I've got some magic beans by the way... !!!
Last edited:
Parisien
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I struggled til the very last line....cos I thought you were fence sitting on this proposal....
P
reservoirfrog
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great write up Paco . interesting, informative & entertaining. what was also interesting about this thread is that Miles makes wallpaper. I know Phil makes paint. can we now have a sportsmaserati decorating service.
lozcb
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We still havent solved Dans problem of getting his lilun through Uni in 18 years time , come on lads , with the brainpower on here should be relatively easy , and
for sure no better cause
Still think my xmas tree and wrapping paper idea is the most ethical ,
You only have to work 4 weeks of every year
a product thats has a guaranteed market every year
Gives happiness to every one who buys some
Low overheads no premises needed just a layby
Totally recyclable the residue of which is saleable
Win win all the way round ................................... but can you handle being thought of as a pikey hhahah
regards loz
for sure no better cause
Still think my xmas tree and wrapping paper idea is the most ethical ,
You only have to work 4 weeks of every year
a product thats has a guaranteed market every year
Gives happiness to every one who buys some
Low overheads no premises needed just a layby
Totally recyclable the residue of which is saleable
Win win all the way round ................................... but can you handle being thought of as a pikey hhahah
regards loz
reservoirfrog
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What would make this more lucretive loz is to find a layby next to a pine plantation, that way you dont have to find somewhere to store the stock, you dont have transport issues( better for your carbon footprint) and purchase of stock is covered as you dont have to buy it, I found them officer, honestly.
Emtee
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How about a couple of 'alternative' investments? The two that spring to mind can be enjoyed along the way as well.
ART.
Ideally original pieces but if not then signed limited edition fine art prints, screen-prints or litho's.
The graffiti and pop artists are popular at the moment - Banksy, Blek and Jamie Hewlett, etc
Of the modern artists - Hirst and Sam Taylor-Wood spring to mind.
If you want something a little more traditional - Eric Gill, Piranesi and Paolozzi, etc.
Alcohol.
Particularly wine, but port also.
Do the research, buy three cases, one for drinking along the way and the other 2 to lay down.
Parisien
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Yes......Miles...limited editions/runs...plus top league wines seem to buck the trends....once they are made thats it...............so buy a piece of work and if the artist is 60 something.....might have left this mortal coil in 18 yrs.....then double in value over night!!!
Sorry if being morbid!
P
Sorry if being morbid!
P
reservoirfrog
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Agree with you on the art Miles. but some off the popular artist's fall out of fashion and its difficult to know if someone will still be popular & collectable in 18 years. I have some originals by chris Bennet & micheal Lawes , both issue limited signed editions, and a number of limited editions by other artists. I'm doubtful if any of these have appreciated that much since I bought them.
I would definatly recomend anything by Hirst. I was offered a singed print of his " valium" for 8K about 5 years ago. I did'nt take it. try and buy one now for anywhere near that now. still kicking myself.