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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bounty Reps

76 replies

Bellabutterfly2016 · 03/07/2018 07:48

So last night I visited my friend on our local labour ward.
Baby was born at 34 weeks, early but ok and small and my friend very stressed as her milk hadn't properly come in/baby not latching.
Her husband is in the forces flying home today so she was feeling very low and emotional.

Yesterday she had her curtain drawn and was trying to feed with the breastfeeding counsellor and a bounty woman opened her curtains and tried to flog her a photo package!!!!!!!!

I was outraged for her, when I was in 3 years ago they came round handing packs out and then said there was a card attached and to text/ring if we wanted photos doing - no hardsell at all. I didn't have them done anyway because I thought they were too expensive but it was the invasion of privacy I was shocked with.

Fortunately the breastfeeding counsellor told her in no uncertain words to do one but was just thinking - AIBU to think this is bang out of order???

OP posts:
43percentburnt · 03/07/2018 07:55

Yes it’s out of order.

But post birth maternity care in the uk is awful so allowing people to sell photos on the ward to women who are bleeding, in pain, depressed and traumatised, potentially sat topless or without pants on trying to establish feeding does not surprise me. What other ward would expect patients who have had major abdominal surgery to take only paracetamol for pain relief and care for a child 24/7?!

NotAllIndividuals · 03/07/2018 07:58

Not at all unreasonable. I imagine there are good and bad reps but I do not understand what they are doing there at all. They could be given a little corner somewhere near a tea room or something.

One came into my private room after DS was born and asking for my address and his details, I started to give it then thought WTF why does the hospital not know this? She only then identified herself but started bullshitting I needed to go through her to get state benefits. Commission driven lying twats. I'd completely forgotten about it. Off to make a complaint to the hospital now!

43percentburnt · 03/07/2018 08:02

How much do they charge for bounty photos?

TheMotherofBears · 03/07/2018 08:03

I refused to give them info on principle when my first DC was born. They then tried to get it from my husband later on in the day! (He didn't crack either!) I do find it outrageous that the Government put CB forms in these packs. I think it validates the practice which is unhelpful imo

Lazypuppy · 03/07/2018 08:06

That's out of order! But there are good and bad reps. On my ward they came round in the morning and only spoke to people with their curtains open, and i think they were more interested to see all the babies!

I had the photos done and absolutely love them! I handed baby to my partner and went and had a shower and sorted my hair etc and felt a 1000 times better and more like me after my night in the ward.

lookatthetrees · 03/07/2018 08:06

I’m pretty sure Scottish hospitals no longer allow Bounty reps. I heard something to that effect while I was pregnant ( 5 years ago) and was appalled it had ever been a thing.

kaytee87 · 03/07/2018 08:08

I’m pretty sure Scottish hospitals no longer allow Bounty reps. I heard something to that effect while I was pregnant ( 5 years ago) and was appalled it had ever been a thing.

They were still there 2 years ago when I had my son.

They're bloody awful, I hate the fact they're allowed into the hospitals.

Icklepickle101 · 03/07/2018 08:09

I told the bounty rep to fuck off after she spent 5 minutes repeatedly telling me I had to give her my details to be able to claim CB. I was having my haemorrhaging c section dressing changed, crying in pain and I think the midwife was about to shove her instruments where the sun doesn’t shine. Regardless of complications I won’t be entertaining her this time either Wink

Mysa74 · 03/07/2018 08:17

I was warned about the bounty prices so turned the lady down as soon as she arrived. Lady opposite wasn't so lucky, she was tempted and before she knew it the camera was out and she had been persuaded to by the full set...The look on her face when she was told that'll be £85 wasn't good...

Dljlr · 03/07/2018 08:19

I'm sure MN had some sort of campaign against Bounty being allowed in wards years ago... Obviously nothing came of it! They are absolute vampires IME. PP is right that post birth ward care here is appalling anyway.

Original poster
Bellabutterfly2016 · 03/07/2018 08:30

£85!!!!

That's daylight robbery isn't it??????
Especially when people are vulnerable, exhausted and on a reduced income with being off work!

Perhaps we need a petition to get them banned!!!!!!!!!

The Child benefit forms could be given by the hospital or health visitor and I remember most of the stuff in the pack being rubbish leaflets and just afew free samples.
I agree with the comment about them being based in a tearoom - IF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED not forced upon them but I think it's a mass invasion of privacy if people aren't interested!

I'll be clearing them off if I end up seeing them in hospital!!!! Definately

OP posts:
Theweasleytwins · 03/07/2018 08:30

We just got the free photos😆

lookatthetrees · 03/07/2018 12:40

Kaytee87- that is interesting.

When I gave birth in 2014 it was in an NHS Highland hospital and I was approached, nor was I aware of any reps on the ward. So maybe it was a regional ban rather than a national ban - or maybe I was lucky!

lookatthetrees · 03/07/2018 12:41

I was not approached

JenBarber · 03/07/2018 12:43

They prey on the vulnerable.

New mums should be encouraged to pack a small Nerf gun in their hospital bag.

SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace · 03/07/2018 12:50

I gave birth to my third baby nearly 6 weeks ago and it was the first time I had ever met a bounty rep.

She pretty much descended upon us about 2 hours after Ds3 was born. I hadn't even had a shower or anything yet!

We were persuaded to have the pictures don't. Didn't see the harm really even though I was annoyed at how pushy she was being. I really didn't have the energy to argue (and they were beautiful to be fair).

After we were told the package prices we asked for a little while to think about things. She came back 15 minutes later 😑

Luckily (or so I thought) my mum had come along by this point. She's tough and won't take any shit, she'll tell them we aren't interested.

My mum ended up buying a package worth over £100 ffs!

My photos hadn't arrive within the time frame stated so I ended up having to call customer services. They hadn't sent them to the correct address!

They did give me some extras as an apology but to be honest I think I should have pushed for a refund of some sort.

IncyWincyMouseRat · 03/07/2018 12:53

I completely disagree with the whole premise of Bounty and certainly won’t be giving them my details when I have my baby. When I do booking appointments for women (I’m a community midwife), I always offer the bounty pack with the warning that they are a marketing company, it’s fine as something to put your notes in and keep them dry but don’t give them any details. I’ve recently emailed the matrons at my trust regarding how unethical Bounty are and they are doing some research currently.

kaytee87 · 03/07/2018 13:35

The bounty rep I saw burst in and asked my name, dob and baby's name and address before saying who she was. I was so exhausted that I gave the details assuming she was a midwife or HCA. Angry

deptfordgirl · 03/07/2018 13:45

Yes, can't believe these are allowed. I was approached by one the day after giving birth. She was very polite but gave me the hard sell and I was just about to have a blood transfusion, was dizzy and had almost just fainted and obviously feeling delicate. I could barely talk to my husband let alone give loads of details to a stranger.

x2boys · 03/07/2018 13:52

i never actually saw one as ds1 was born on boxing day and ds2 ,was born on a Sunday, but i do wonder how much money they actually make given that most people have their own phones and can take their own pictures?

IJustNeedAUserName · 03/07/2018 14:06

I was in a private room with a hospital acquired infection after having DS. I wasn’t allowed to leave the room, DS was in SCBU on a different floor. There were signs plastered all over my door about barrier nursing and no entry without wearing a disposable apron and gloves etc etc and there were boxes/packets of gloves and aprons right by the door - guess who was the ONLY person during my whole stay who burst in without taking any notice? Yup, the Bounty rep.

Kr3000 · 03/07/2018 14:09

They came to us while we were discussing the next steps for our sons unsuccessful first hearing test. Just barged in. We told her to go away.

NukaColaGirl · 03/07/2018 14:15

Ive had them walk into my room when I was cleaning myself up from a major blood flood. Just walked in and stood there trying to sell me stuff whilst I was bleeding all over the floor and naked. I was still in shock as I’d had a super fast labour and then my DD had been whisked down to NICU. So I didn’t even have her with me.

Fortunately my Dad walked in after about a minute and barked at her to get the fuck out whilst he wrapped a towel around me.

Amanduh · 03/07/2018 14:16

On my ward they came in (all curtains had to be open) then gave a pack and leaflet and said to contact her if we were interested.

glintandglide · 03/07/2018 14:18

They are utter bastards and their photos are crap. I told them to go away too. They acted like I needed to see them to get my child benefit forms. Ha ha ha ha ha. Disrespect women AND treat them like they’re thick why don’t you. Disgraceful

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