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.

Hmmm, interesting….

https://www.gov.uk/marketing-advertising-law/regulations-that-affect-advertising

I don’t get the emails (and after this won’t sign up). Therefore I don’t know the format and how far it is an advert or might be regulated by the ASA if at all.

I don’t like but accept advertising but this is different. I would definitely have thought that the quote related to having tested the product in the photo.
Very disappointed.

CFs...

Same

🤷‍♀️😅😅😅

Wouldn't surprise me at all, I am just a cynical person I guess

Here for the deletion notice/ bland reply/ 'thank you for letting us know <insert lame excuse blaming some other party but pretending to 'learn something'>

Shame @mnhq

No they’ll have to answer this.

might have worked if there were just a couple of responses.

I read that as regional or informal, similar to e.g. "that job needs done".

It is a marketing communication that counts as direct marketing and is regulated by the ASA. This might be deemed deceptive which would have consequences for Mumsnet, should a complaint to the ASA be made.

I don't get the emails, but I have a rule to not pay much attention to reviews, especially for sites that get payment for posting them or affiliate payment. There's a well known world wide sales site that a few people have (apparently) learned how to create reviews to get affiliate payment & even courses on how to yourself. A lot of fake reviews from sellers as well.

i look for consistent comments over a long period of time and even then don't really trust reviews. It's mostly fake

You're the thing being sold.

Except with Mumsnet Premium, where you're still the thing being sold, but you're actually paying for the 'privilege'.

Who when deciding what to buy would look at reviews nearly 8 years old anyaay?

However prepared that and signed if off really needs their competence for the job investigated

@Wondermoomin Keep the screenshot safe as I wonder whether the content will magically change if someone else opens it now. Just in case this thread disappears.

<for some reason cynical tonight- can’t imagine why>

Massively out of order mumsnet!

Dodgy and misleading - is this because they cost too much to give away on the 'panel' so they just decided a vague review of something else was the next best thing?

www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint.html

That’s really crap, sorry OP.

Fwiw I once had a recommendation in a newsletter which was completely legit and posted just days before, it was a mascara. It wasn’t a very exciting or popular thread, just someone asking a question and a couple of us making suggestions.

I do wonder why they decide to promote what they do.

@Wondermoomin I have reported the thread to get MNHQ attention, LTB, cancelled the cheque, drawn a diagram (but can’t upload it) and am sending thoughts and prayers.
like PPs, I wonder if I’ll ever take a “swears by” post seriously again.

Well, that's disappointing.

That is very dodgy. You didn't recommend that one.

This is incredibly poor mnhq. How on earth do you explain this?

@Wondermoomin the ASA are really good with things like this. I got an advertisement pulled from TV by reporting it to them.

This is really disappointing because I often read their recommendations on baby products.