I can understand you feeling miffed about the poor return on your share save scheme but I would have loved to have had the chance to invest in various companies over the last two decades and still get the capital guaranteed with a little interest on top if share prices declined like recently.

You always had the chance of coming out with maybe double your money which would have been a great return but when share prices dipped from end of 2007 that chance was vastly reduced (or anniahlated!)

Maybe share saves are not for you, if you had made monthly payments of £25 for 3 years into a regular savings account providing 5% you could have not quite struck gold but you would have £72.87 (less tax) in compound interest for your return on the £900 you saved.

Hi, I would like others comments/suggestions on this please.

1st January 2007 I stated paying £25 per month for a 3 year share save scheme. Effectively my last payment into this will be 1st December 2009. As the option price to buy these company shares is now alot higher than the share price actually is my only real option is to take the money out at the end of the scheme.

I am told however, that this does not mature until February 1st 2010. So, I am unable to take this money out until February 2010. In addition to this all I will earn is a 1.4% bonus for staying in the scheme for the whole of the 3 year term.

However, I also lose another two and a half months interest as far as I am concerned because if my 36th payment is on December 1st 2009 and I am unable to take this money out until February (more likely take two weeks to process judged on previous experience) I lose 10 more weeks interest.

Is this fair/right/legal?

I realise I put into this scheme at my own risk. Share prices have dropped, fair enough - nothing we can do about this right now. But to take the micky by keeping my money for another 10 weeks and giving me a pittance of a bonus return, I feel totally taken for a ride.

Share save tell me that they don't get the last payment until February and this means that the company I work for keeps my last payment until then (making interest at my expense).

If I had saved this £25 per month in a savngs account for 3 years I would have got a much better return. Anyone know how much this might have been?

Any comments appreciated