MN have used my quote to promote a product I’ve never bought 🤔

[Wondermoomin]

AIBU to expect MN recommendations, where they quote a poster/member, to be genuine?

I like being able to rely on recommendations in MN swears by and other emails. I excitedly opened an email with the subject “Big bargains for our most loyal Mumsnetters” wondering what MN could make me buy this time (I should probably get other hobbies).

Imagine my surprise to see my own username quoted there with a recommendation! Imagine my further surprise when I realised it was a post I wrote almost 8 years ago, and it was being used directly under a specific product to give the impression I was recommending it - and I’ve never even owned that particular thing mine was more expensive.

I don’t like posts being misrepresented as a recommendation for a specific product. It makes me question the credibility of other MN recommendations.

Hoping I’ll manage to attach screenshots.

PS my gazebo broke but I’ve replaced it. Still not with the brand I supposedly recommended according to the MN email.

Wow. That is shocking.

No trusted brand should act like this. I’ll never believe anything MN push again. I can’t believe how stupid they were here

perhaps the daily mail should pick this one up

That’s shocking

I would be interested in what HQ have to say about this.

no-one is saying it’s illegal. But it’s immoral and not how a brand should act

Yeah, and probably pull it!

It’s also quite a weird quote to go with the product, you’re just giving tips on what type of gazebo to look for and not actually saying one is good or reviewing.

This.

And means I won’t trust Mumsnet reviews any more.

MN has nothing but contempt for its users. From berating those who use adblockers because of the intrusive advertising, allowing CSA images, charging a monthly fee while not paying for a proper night moderation team and frankly bizarre moderation policies, MN could not give a fuck about anyone but their bottom line.

This was also my first thought.

@Wondermoomin suggest you report your own post and ask for it to be moved to Site Stuff and for it to receive a response.

Whilst its true that SM companies all operate T&C to reuse the content created by site users, this seems to go beyond that to make a false claim by implying you are recommending a product you don’t us. All that said - I wouldn’t assume “MN recommends” means anything other than “X is paying us to say we recommend” ie its a paid endorsement just like influencers/celebs being paid to pretend they recommend products and services.

Even if the Terms of Use given above by a PP would allow this use of a member's post, it isn't ethical, nor does it reflect a standard of behaviour I would expect from the MN Powers That Be. It has done a lot of damage to the trust I had in MN to be more than a vehicle for advertising to parents. This makes me feel as though those of us who contribute can be used as advertising commodities. Call me cynical, but it's beginning to feel that we are the product, which is being marketed to advertisers to promote their claims. Right now I'm seeing an Ad for Temu on the left of the page - a business model that I thought the majority of vocal MNers deeply disapproved of. Think I'm going to investigate what other forums are out there, this feels like a real betrayal.

😮😮😮😮😮

That’s incredibly poor MNHQ. Good spot @Wondermoomin

Wow. This is terrible!! @mnhq awaiting response / thread being zapped!!

Wow. I hope @mnhq come back with an explanation. I know that they are allowed to use content generated by posters but that feels really misrepresentative.

I think it's worth bumping this thread so that it permanently stays near the top of AIBU to give people the info they need to properly the kind of site this is.

Genuinely shocked at this.

That’s really really naughty!! @mnhqwhat a fuck up!

I'm disgusted but not shocked.

Was this MN’s doing or the advertiser?

Ouch!!

The adverts are all so downmarket too.
that gazebo looks like cheap crap.
Use that quote if you want MN.

Well I’m glad I’ve never bought anything on the basis that mumsnet recommends it! Very dodgy

@qwertasdfg thank you for looking that out, but I don’t object to them using my words. What I object to is them using my words to look like an endorsement of a product I’ve never used. I don’t think any T&Cs excuse a business from misleading advertising.

This!