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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Bargin Booze advertising a specific brand of infant Formula

324 replies

Beatrixemerald · 09/04/2015 20:17

Totally expecting a flaming here buty local Bargain Booze is advertising Cow and Gate formula on a sandwich board outside, if nothing else it is illegal, but I also think I should probably mind my own business but it gets on my nerves. Think they should probably stick to booze. WIBU to say something to them?

OP posts:
PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 09/04/2015 21:20

Advertising follow on milk allows manufacturers to promote their brand and name

Good. At least mothers will know what is available.

Except it isn't just so people know what's available. I can't get worked up about a sign outside bargain booze. But I do feel quite strongly about the abject bollocks that was the 'closest to breastmilk' campaign by Aptamil. I've seen posts from women worrying that they couldn't afford Aptamil and weren't giving their baby the best (not necessarily on MN). I have heard of HV's recommending it. Formula is bloody overpriced as it is (I wish a supermarket would bring out an own brand) and Aptamil is one of the worst offenders but it intentionally went for a totally unfounded health claim to guilt people into buying their product.

Formula is a great product. Formula companies are frequently questionable in their behaviour. They can't be bloody trusted to advertise - the little slack they are given they abuse.

dominogocatgo · 09/04/2015 21:21

Thanks for the heads-up , now off to see if Bargin Booze is still open.

MNHQ
TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet · 09/04/2015 21:25

Ahem
Good evening all
A reminder that however you feed your baby, as long as it's not the bargain booze itself what we can all do with is some moral support
Peace and Love

LadyCatherineDeTurd · 09/04/2015 21:25

You do seem to have given Bargain Booze a nice bit of free publicity. I had no idea they sold formula til now. Good to know. Wonder if they do SMA?

Cantbelievethisishappening · 09/04/2015 21:31

But I do feel quite strongly about the abject bollocks that was the 'closest to breastmilk' campaign by Aptamil.

Yes.... I remember that.

PunkrockerGirl · 09/04/2015 21:36

You were absolutely right in your original post, OP. It's absolutely none of your business.

fulltothebrim · 09/04/2015 21:39

Isn't the law everyone's business?

kali110 · 09/04/2015 21:42

Agree with others, if you really cant leave it alone why cant you just go talk to the owners?
I wouldnt care.
Yes i know why formula can't be adverised i just don't agree with it.
Think reduced milk/powder etc can be very helpful to people on low incomes.
Im struggling finacially at moment, if i needed formula id be very grateful.
If i were bf seeing signs advertising reduced, or offers on formula wouldn't change my mind!
Ff costs money! Bf is free!
I was always going to ff, however advertising has never been involved.
I can't get wound up by this.

DarthVadersTailor · 09/04/2015 21:42

My local bargain booze sells lots of stuff. In fact I get 30 REALLY fresh eggs for £3.30 that are the same as what I could get at my local farm shop!!!

Why would anyone be annoyed at knowing there's another outlet that sells formula you might need? What's there to be angry at? Not like they're adding booze to it.....Hmm

FarFromAnyRoad · 09/04/2015 21:45

Loving the BF advocate who very clearly has a shitty opinion of mothers who FF. May you never find yourself in a situation where you have no choice because I suspect that your oh-so-smug-because-I-just-know-I'm-right aura might get drowned in a stream of sick-up.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 09/04/2015 21:50

Isn't the law everyone's business?

Not always.
Your opinion is clearly being influenced by your 14 years being paid to push breastfeeding.

Staywithme · 09/04/2015 21:50

Oops. Sorry OP I missed that. Yes, do approach them before someone runs screaming to report them for the horrendous crime they're committing Grin

fulltothebrim · 09/04/2015 21:55

Your opinion is clearly being influenced by your 14 years being paid to push breastfeeding. Hmm

I have never been paid to "push breastfeeding"- what a strange thing to say.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 09/04/2015 21:57

No, I have actively worked within the area of breastfeeeding for 14 years. What's more I get paid to do it.

My apologies....... Hmm

hoobypickypicky · 09/04/2015 22:02

"Formula is bloody overpriced as it is"

Might that be in part because there's an idiot law in place which says it cannot be sold at a discounted rate unlike, for example, nappies or jars of baby food?

OP, get a hobby. Please.

fulltothebrim · 09/04/2015 22:03

cantbelieve- you clearly have a lack of knowledge here. I have only ever worked at strategic and supportive roles. Mothers that I have worked with have all made the decision to breastfeed.
I have never "pushed breastfeeding".

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 09/04/2015 22:10

"Formula is bloody overpriced as it is"

Might that be in part because there's an idiot law in place which says it cannot be sold at a discounted rate unlike, for example, nappies or jars of baby food?

No. The law doesn't require a set price. The law doesn't prevent permanent low pricing, set a RRP or prevent a one-off permanent reduction.

Companies choose not to compete on price because they want to do short term 'deals' not genuinely sell their price at a realistic margin.

Then they blame it on the legislation.

I've said that I can't get worked up about the bargain booze advert. But it is the fault of the companies, and only the companies, that formula is overpriced. If they wanted to sell it lower, they could. But the only want to do so if they can do short term discounts to drive market share.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 09/04/2015 22:10

you clearly have a lack of knowledge here

You didn't volunteer that additional bit of information though did you when stating you have actively worked within the area of BF for 14 years.

Mothers that I have worked with have all made the decision to breastfeed
But you still managed to report Boots for selling half price formula....... hmmm.

Original poster
Beatrixemerald · 09/04/2015 22:10

Not a bf/ff debate, would bloody love to give my baby formula and have bought every brand. It's a crap retailing moan and if I had anything I disagree with its cheap booze but that's another thread entirely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beatrixemerald · 09/04/2015 22:13

penguins - retailers sell formula at cost or at least they used to, there is no margin in it for stores just manufacturers

OP posts:
PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 09/04/2015 22:16

OP - yes. Sorry. I wasn't being very clear in my wording. I understood that there was a margin, but I agree shops don't make much. I was really referring to the mark up of manufacturer against manufacturing cost- the formula companies have massive margins.

fulltothebrim · 09/04/2015 22:17

You didn't volunteer that additional bit of information though did you when stating you have actively worked within the area of BF for 14 years.*
No you just made assumptions- hardly my fault.

But you still managed to report Boots for selling half price formula....... hmmm.

Yes, because it's a law I agree with. Hardly "pushing breastfeeding"/

Original poster
Beatrixemerald · 09/04/2015 22:17

Oh yes they must do, follow on milk made a little more from memory

OP posts:
Cantbelievethisishappening · 09/04/2015 22:18

When was advertising FF banned out of interest?

PinkSquash · 09/04/2015 22:21

What does the sign say exactly?