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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Baby event was a sales pitch

74 replies

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 20:59

Obviously nothing horrendous, but I’m curious as to what others would have done in my shoes.

I’m a member of a yoga studio that advertised a new mothers baby massage event. I’d been to other events there that were great, and my baby is a bit grouchy lately from teething and struggling to nod off, so I signed up hoping to learn some techniques.

It was quite expensive, but promised connections with other mums, practical guided massage therapy, breath work, and refreshments.

I showed up and there was only one other mum there. The organiser didn’t ask our names, the baby names, or really even welcome us.

She spent the first 35 minutes talking about her skincare brand - blasting ‘toxins’ and babbling about the wisdom of tribes in Africa. Her sister was also there and wandering around.

After 45 minutes of brand storytelling and literally no massage, I stood up, said thanks and left. At that point, there was only 20 minutes left of the event. I could tell the end would be selling, as I saw a box of the (very pricey) products by the door.

I felt bad leaving the other woman alone with them, but it felt so off.

I’m tempted to make a complaint to the yoga studio asking them if this was what they thought the event would be, as it seemed like nothing but a sales pitch and included no massage. It had nothing in common with the description at all, and I feel a bit irritated and miss-sold to. Or should I just let it go and mark it up to some people making a quick buck off new mums?

OP posts:
ChateauMargaux · 27/09/2025 21:03

Yes complain and ask for your money back.. 40 minutes without any massage or instruction is outrageous. Getting you there under false pretentions is also pretty unacceptable.

SoOriginal · 27/09/2025 21:08

That’s ridiculous. Are you able to leave a review giving other people the heads up? I would definitely complain to the centre

Overthebow · 27/09/2025 21:10

Yes complain and ask for a refund as the event wasn’t as described.

PurpleChrayn · 27/09/2025 21:11

Infuriating.

I had this happen to me at an event at SYNAGOGUE, ffs. Nowhere is safe from the huns!

FusionChefGeoff · 27/09/2025 21:11

Yes complain that’s awful!

nosleepforme · 27/09/2025 21:13

Unacceptable! I’d want my money back and some sort of apology

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 27/09/2025 21:17

Yes, I would complain and ask for your money back.

Are you....absolutely sure you were at the right event? Because that's incredibly bizarre.

Tonianlilly · 27/09/2025 21:19

Yanbu

She should have been friendly if she was wanting to sell anything

And should be guiding you through the massage while explaining how great her stuff is

We are using x now as this is good for y

Or whatever

Sounds awful definitely complain... money back

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:21

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 27/09/2025 21:17

Yes, I would complain and ask for your money back.

Are you....absolutely sure you were at the right event? Because that's incredibly bizarre.

100% sure, sadly.

They referred to massage, but there were no demonstrations, no guidance, just ‘massage is good for babies - here’s some of my oil that I’ve won lots of awards for’ and straight into brand storytelling.

OP posts:
mumofoneAloneandwell · 27/09/2025 21:22

The only thing I wouldve done differently is try to take the other woman with me 😭😭

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 27/09/2025 21:24

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:21

100% sure, sadly.

They referred to massage, but there were no demonstrations, no guidance, just ‘massage is good for babies - here’s some of my oil that I’ve won lots of awards for’ and straight into brand storytelling.

How much did it cost you?

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:28

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 27/09/2025 21:24

How much did it cost you?

Approximately £45 (did a conversion as I don’t live in England).

OP posts:
CalzoneOnLegs · 27/09/2025 21:28

How appalling swindling new Mums like that. Sorry this happened OP and I hope you get a refund.

arcticpandas · 27/09/2025 21:28

Ask for your money back! I have no patience for this. I might not have dared at your age but now at 45 I have no problem being direct. I would probably have asked after 5 minutes if this was the right event because I was looking for baby massage not for tv shop.

arcticpandas · 27/09/2025 21:29

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:28

Approximately £45 (did a conversion as I don’t live in England).

Then ask for a refund! Don't be a mug. You have to complain because they will get booked again if not.

Laughingmole · 27/09/2025 21:31

£45 is ridiculous! I’ve just paid £50 for a baby massage course for 5 sessions of an hour and half each. You definitely need to complain.

pikkumyy77 · 27/09/2025 21:31

Absolutely ask for a refund. Don’t be apologetic about it either. Blast them with your wrath. Seriously.

DoubtfulCat · 27/09/2025 21:35

Yoga teaches us honesty as the second most fundamental principle (after non-harming) and also non-stealing. They harmed you by misleading you and stole your time and energy as well as your money. Definitely complain!

ohyesido · 27/09/2025 21:35

I had a similar experience, I was promised a wedding make up tutorial trying out different products, recommended by my wedding dress vendor. When I got there the girl introduced herself as a professional presenter and I immediately realised she was a Younique rep…she had no idea how to apply make up professionally

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:36

Thanks for the input everyone.

I’ll send a complaint tomorrow to the studio. I’ll focus on the event not being as described, not signing up for skincare brand selling (I have sensitive skin and would never use random oils on it anyway!) and the unfriendliness of the woman hosting it. Yoga can be ‘crunchy’ of course, but I draw the line at being told what I use on my skin/my baby is toxic crap.

OP posts:
bryceQ · 27/09/2025 21:37

I run a studio and this is absolutely unacceptable and not remotely as advertised. Very very poor and I hope you get a refund. Hope you find something lovely instead.

PumpkinSpiceAndEverythingNice · 27/09/2025 21:37

Yeah complain. If it was free, I’d say it was crap but leave it at that, but you’ve paid to attend a sales pitch here. Get your money back.

Did she seem put out when you left? Was it your usual yoga instructor, or was it someone they’d invited in?

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 27/09/2025 21:38

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:36

Thanks for the input everyone.

I’ll send a complaint tomorrow to the studio. I’ll focus on the event not being as described, not signing up for skincare brand selling (I have sensitive skin and would never use random oils on it anyway!) and the unfriendliness of the woman hosting it. Yoga can be ‘crunchy’ of course, but I draw the line at being told what I use on my skin/my baby is toxic crap.

I think I'd focus on the fact that you paid £45 for a baby massage class and when you got there it was actually a sales pitch for skincare products you're not interested in buying, with zero baby massage, so you'd like a refund please.

Sunflower459 · 27/09/2025 21:41

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:28

Approximately £45 (did a conversion as I don’t live in England).

Oh, hell no. They don’t get to charge folk that kind of money for the privilege of being advertised to. I’d be making a right fuss.

Copenhagener · 27/09/2025 21:41

PumpkinSpiceAndEverythingNice · 27/09/2025 21:37

Yeah complain. If it was free, I’d say it was crap but leave it at that, but you’ve paid to attend a sales pitch here. Get your money back.

Did she seem put out when you left? Was it your usual yoga instructor, or was it someone they’d invited in?

It was someone they’d invited in. I’ve been going there for 6 years and I’ve never seen this person’s name before. I (wrongly) presumed they were an expert in baby massage therapy as if was labelled a ‘mamma and baby massage ritual session’.

This was the description, if anyone else would get red flags from the below?

A warm, nurturing space for mothers and babies to slow down, connect, and honor ancient healing practices.
Baby massage has been practiced for generations and today, its emotional and developmental benefits are also well-supported by science. A nurturing, sensory-rich experience for both mama and baby with gentle rituals that support connection, restoration, and wellbeing.
The session will include breathwork, guided baby massage, mama self-massage with ritual oils, refreshments & a small skincare gift.

OP posts: