Baby event was a sales pitch

[Copenhagener]

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?

Shockingly bad, with a baby to care for your time is more precious than ever and you likely planned your day round it too, so it’s more than 45 minutes lost for ever!

Did you not think to say ‘when is the baby massage class?’

Definitely complain.

"Mama self massage"? Sounds a bit like an Ann Summers party.

Very poor show. I hope you get a full refund.

Total scam.
Absolutely complain.

So disappointing :( OP you can just use vegetable oil to massage your baby.

Contact Trading Standards, this is the sort of thing they’re interested in.

They aren't in the UK!

"Ritual oils" what a load of claptrap shit they spouting.
And i say this as someone who frequently uses essential oils!!!!
Hope you get your refund xx

If you paid by credit card, report as fraud.

Which it was.

Sent in the complaint and will let you all know what they reply with.

I have a response! There was an older woman there at the start for 10 minutes unfolding the yoga mats for me and the other mum, who I think must be the person replying:

Key point in her email:
“I attended the event as well and I expected what you are describing you signed up for.
It has not been clear to me is was a branding event. I was really surprised as it was not presented like that to me.”

So; it seems I wasn’t crazy and the woman running it has also misled the studio. She won’t be coming back again.

She has offered compensation in the form of membership reduction / a free ticket to another event of theirs that I’ve attended before and would again. I’m okay with that outcome and happy they replied quickly. I hope they’ll also compensate the other poor mum there.

I knew the studio wouldn't have been aware. Very sneaky, but par for the course for bloody MLM. At least the studio will be more aware now and extra careful with bookings in the future.

@TheatricalLife they are little snakes 🐍

Good outcome OP

The pressure to sell when you're in an MLM must be insane. I've had people I haven't spoken to for years call me up to try and market their Roden + Fields/Younique shite at me. There also used to be a mum at our Primary who took a stall every Fair and tried desperately to get people involved. It was embarrassing.

No excuses but I think people do get so desperate that they lose all sense of appropriate and rational behaviour in the pursuit of sales.

Is Younique still going? I remember about 10 of my FB friends selling it years ago and then giving up. The increasingly desperate "happy" videos of them applying that bloody awful mascara were excruciating.

Oh this brings back memories, I had something very similar once - also with baby massage. It really pissed me off, and worse, it went on and on and on.... All the other women seemed too uncomfortable to leave, but after nearly 2 fucking hours I tried to discreetly pack up and leave - and the person running the session had the gall to call me out and ask where i was going!! I was mortified and said my car parking ticket had expired and I didn't fancy getting a fine, but I'm still hacked off years later.

Don’t let it go and definitely
don't mark it up as “people
making a buck off new mums” - that’s even more reason to raise this!

I agree, don't let the exploitation of new mothers go.

I would respond that you feel huge disquiet at such an event being held at all, clearly very misleading at the way it was sold to you.

Tell them that you feel obligated to contact your local Trading Standards to give them a heads up, should it happen again.

I can't stand this type of taking people for mugs.
Report every time is my position.

Agreed. Sorry this happened to you. So annoying.

Already complained and received a reply this morning - it was a good outcome fortunately.

A friend of mine recently asked me if I wanted to go to a talk at a local hotel, regarding wellness/healthy eating etc. It was £10 a ticket, and it was a friend of my friend, who she vaguely knew through work, running the 'talk'. I declined the invitation, as I told her that this person will most definitely be selling something!! She was surprised, by my thinking but decided not to go. It turned out I was correct!!! £45 is a lot of money for you to have paid, to be given a glorified sales pitch. I would most definitely complain!

PIss taker on the make.

Not as advertised.

Big increase in this sort of thing.
Especially holidays and day excursions.
Hotels that advertise services they don't have. Mediocre food and facilities.etc.

Get your money back and complain to the Yoga Studio.

I'd be asking for my money back. IThe cheek! Good for you for leaving!

Agree, cause it sounds odd and those are not to be paid for!