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.

🤣🤣🤣

Exactly. It must take longer to pull together fake recommendations than real ones!

An update. I've had an email from the ASA asking if I am OK if they 'disclose your [my] identity to Mumsnet as part of the current investigation and also to share any information that you have shared with us to the advertiser?'

It was nice knowing you all....

Do periodically check back in @weirdoboelady as it will be the only way for us to know you haven’t been ‘taken care of’, a proof of lighter so to speak!

For clarity:

a) I am still here 😂
b) I wasn't directly involved. I simply reported the thread and sent them selected highlights.

Proof of life, not lighter. But if you do go MIA we will hold a vigil, lighters aloft swaying along to Coldplay 😆

Slightly different but this made me think of this thread. Little ad for something promoted by Mumsnet - a true story. About as believable as any other MN promotes ad.

Update from ASA, who seem to use their powers as effectively as.... (insert your own analogy here. The Labour Party comes to mind but YMMV)

Dear weirdoboelady

I am writing to update you on this investigation.

Mumsnet have responded to us regarding the complaints, a summary of which can be found in the attached Complaint Notification.

As a result of the complaints, Mumsnet have confirmed that the ad will not appear again in its original form. They have also provided details of changes they have now made to their processes regarding testimonials to avoid a breach of CAP Code 3.48 in the future.

We consider that this will resolve the complaint without referring the matter to the ASA Council, and will consequently be closing our file.

In a formal investigation, if the ASA Council decides that an ad is in breach of the Code, the advertisers are told to withdraw or amend the ad. Because Mumsnet have already agreed not to use the ad again and have also made changes to their processes concerning testimonials, we considered that there was little to be gained from continuing with a formal investigation, which would achieve that same outcome.

Although we will not publish full details of your complaint on our website, www.asa.org.uk, basic information including the advertisers' name will appear there on Wednesday 10 September.

We would like to thank you sincerely for taking the time and trouble to raise the matter with us. It is complaints like yours which help support the ASA’s work in the regulation of UK advertising.

If you have any further questions on the process outlined above, or on anything else, please let me know.

Kind Regards
Gemma

Gemma Allwood

Investigations Executive
asa.org.uk | 020 7492 2222 | [email protected]

Thanks @weirdoboelady - I'm going to say as useful as....
.... a chocolate fireguard 🍫 🔥

My complaint must have been dealt with a little after yours, based on your latest update. But I have now had an email asking if I'm okay if they disclose my identity to Mumsnet as well!!

I am interested in your latest post, including the ASAs reply which references the fact that Mumsnet have acknowledged to them that their approach to testimonials was misleading and deceitful.

"They have also provided details of changes they have now made to their processes regarding testimonials to avoid a breach of CAP Code 3.48 in the future"

It would appear that Mumsnet owes all its users an apology. I haven't seen anything though...

I no longer read any Mumsnet recommends stuff after reading of your experience @Wondermoomin
It’s a shame but if you break someone’s trust once, that’s it - they don’t get a second chance.
The response from the Advertising Standards is truly disappointing.

Like everything else, an effing joke.

I will actively avoid anything Mumsnet recommends.

I’m reading that we right. Mumsnet were cooking the books here and they’ve been told to stop it. As they haven’t come back to this thread I’m assuming they don’t give much of a fig and are leaving this to blow over rather than take steps to try and rebuild trust.

I agree with what you’ve all said, trust is blown. Their product placements and recommendations are worthless now.

This advertisement for over-priced food supplements is not identifiable as an advertisement apart from in the link that keeps appearing in the list of threads. Is this acceptable?

https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/efamol-kids-omega-drops-mumsnet-rated?utm_source=Mumsnet&utm_campaign=Efamol&utm_medium=Pinned_Threads

I’ve complained to MN before about a scaremongering advert aimed at separating pregnant women from their money. This isn’t as bad, but while we’re on the subject of the ASA, I wondered if anyone knew the rules?

I would report to the ASA. It looks like a clear attempt to bypass the rules to me.

I check all threads now and if it says MN promotes I wouldn't even consider clicking. I'm still getting adverts for "The Salt Path - A true story of grief, healing and transition".

I can only conclude they wouldn't recognise truth if it hit them across the face.

They've been doing the same with blatant promotion of weight loss injections. If you go through the list of all the things they aren't allowed to put in advertising of weight loss services, the whole kit and caboodle is there.

The efamol one looks like it might be OK, as per the guidelines. I was concerned about that first statement but it doesn't appear to be a breach
15 Food, food supplements and associated health or nutrition claims - ASA | CAP https://share.google/87jJ1qbxoBUlCeC11

This is the guidance on POM, though
Weight control: Prescription-only medicines - ASA | CAP https://share.google/XqNf14f9A5EyQY6vt

They don't - but when things are slow or we need traffic we often lift posts from the site, and MN doesn't actively discourage us from doing it (though they also don't encourage it).

For that we can complain to the MHRA as well, I think.

Yes they are not making medicinal claims, but don’t they have to be clear it’s an advert, not a piece of journalism?

Another email from the ASA.

Dear weirdoboelady
We wrote to you recently to tell you the outcome of your recent complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about advertising for Mumsnet Ltd (case reference: A25-1290343). I am now writing to ask if you would agree to give us feedback on how we handled this complaint.
We have commissioned Ipsos, an independent market research agency, to conduct this research for us. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. To access the survey please click on the following link once only (please do not double click):
https://insights.ipsosinteractive.com/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?as=5&I.Project=S25003295&id=4XHTFA
Your views are extremely important to us. We would greatly value your opinion about the complaints process.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Yours sincerely
Miles Lockwood
Director of Complaints and Investigations
Advertising Standards Authority

In my response to this survey, I berated the ASA for giving MN a light tap on the wrist for their gross misconduct! Honestly, the ASA seem the most toothless and incompetent tossers ever....

I did. The ASA don't reply to complaints about promotion of WL drugs and variants of the advertorial are still being run.