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Original poster

Mumsnet offers

43 replies

Carriel · 10/09/2002 17:01

Hi there

Can we pick your brains for a moment?

We have had a very disappointing response to the recent mumsnet offer (Wicksteed play equipment see www.mumsnetpromotions.co.uk/ for details). In our endless quest for revenue we managed to do a deal which gave a discount to mumsnet users while contributing a little to the mumsnet coffers. But sadly we've had no response at all. We just wondered:

Are mumsnet offers the sort of thing you're happy to see on mumsnet?

Is it just that it's the wrong time of year to be flogging outdoor play equipment, or were you not aware that we were? Or was the range too small/not suitable?

Are there other things you'd like to see us sell from mumsnet (we can't promise anything but...)

Any feedback at all would be most welcome and if you, or anyone you know , are looking for swings, slides and climbing frames you know where to come! Seriously though Wicksteed make equipment for most of the playgrounds around the country, so it's good stuff.

Didn't mean to start advertising - would just be interested to know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance

Carrie, Justine and Rachel

OP posts:
Rhiannon · 10/09/2002 17:25

I suppose it's one of those once in a lifetime purchases and once you've got one like we have you don't go looking. Must admit I haven't seen the ad. but maybe I looked past it.

I would like to see items for older kids advertised not just baby stuff. I am always looking for outdoor wet playwear and boots that don't cost a fortune. Also anywhere that sells unusual gifts or personalised gifts but not at GLTC prices (19.99 for a hairbrush!). HTH.

nics1stbaby · 10/09/2002 17:37

From a marketeers perspective, my advice would be to consider approaching vendors to facilitate ecommerce on your site. Perhaps they could pay you a revenue for people that link out of the site to purchase through your site.

I would also make the subsription compulsory - and I am speaking as someone who hasn't chipped in yet, and I do love this site, so I for one am going to put my money where my mouth is do this right now.

crystaltips · 10/09/2002 18:14

Rhiannon

Have you tried letterbox?

Let me think of some others ?

With XMAS soon on it's way - Hawkin.com for stocking fillers !

Tinker · 10/09/2002 19:01

Carrie, Justine & Rachel

I know I have this site bookmarked at the Active Conversations page and very rarely look at the home page! Sorry. Perhaps you could advertise the offers as a dreaded pop-up.

PamT · 10/09/2002 19:18

No more dreaded pop ups, the soft drinks one didn't go down too well. I saw the play equipment ad but don't have garden space for any unfortunately so I didn't look any further into it. To be honest, most baby and children's products from individual companies are rather expensive and then have an added delivery charge so I rarely buy on-line. Perhaps members who run their own businesses could be allowed to advertise on Mumsnet for a fee, they might not be able to pay a great deal but it would be mutually beneficial.

Tinker · 10/09/2002 19:19

You're right, I'd forgotten about the drinks one! Oh well, I'm trying.

bayleaf · 10/09/2002 20:09

Yes I'm also guilty of going straight to 'last day' in talk rather than the home page - altho I would have been interested in the offer. Could you e mail the ad to people who get the newsletter - or could we opt into an e mail 'offer' scheme. I don't usually want such things E mail advertising)but I think I would trust Mumsnet not to send complete junk 5 times a week!

sobernow · 10/09/2002 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExpatKat · 10/09/2002 20:27

I always go to the home page first, and did see that offer, but outdoor play equipment isn't something I can use as I live in London, have the tiniest of gardens, and tend to frequent playgrounds. I'm under the impression a lot of mumsnetters also live in London or big cities and perhaps, like me, don't have suitable gardens.

The kinds of things I would be interested in are practical things for the house or for baby/child. Not toys, but possibly clothes, and definitely accessories (baby slings, possibly pushchairs) and things like storage ideas. But that's me. . .don't know if I speak for others.

jodee · 10/09/2002 20:36

I saw it too, but being end of season and with Christmas around the corner, it didn't appeal.

Expatkat's suggestion about things for the house or storage items is a good one - what about Lakeland? That is probably my favourite catalogue; they do a specific storage one and also one for Christmas gifts.

anais · 10/09/2002 20:40

I didn't see the advert. Pleeeeeeease no pop-ups.

MABS · 10/09/2002 21:10

Didn't see it either as I too am guilty of going straight to TALK sorry..... Personally , would like to perhaps see discounts on days out with kids ?

Jasper · 10/09/2002 21:17

I also go straight to talk and have not gone to the homepage in a very long time.It would be interesting to know how many mumsnetters use any part of the site other than the talk boards.
That is why I mentioned in previous discussions about generating revenue for mumsnet if costs could maybe be reduced by cutting out some of the things mumsnet does apart from the discussions.

Alibubbles · 10/09/2002 21:25

I always go straight to talk as well!

Enid · 10/09/2002 21:33

I did see the offer but I have just bought some garden play equipment for my dd and wouldn't be interested in any more - agree with whoever said its a one off purchase.

I often go straight to talk but do check the homepage as I am interested in the offers - this one just didn't appeal, sorry.

SofiaAmes · 10/09/2002 22:44

I usually go directly to "last day", but did happen to see the offer. Although I have just bought a new house with a large garden and will be purchasing outdoor play equipment, the set didn't appeal to me aesthetically. And it's also not the kind of thing I would buy online. Also probably the wrong season. I would be more likely to buy cups/accessories/buggies/toys/books/nappies! etc. online. In fact, I just bought a couple of boxes of basic lego for my ds (22 mo.) and would have been happier to do that online if it had been easy.

Demented · 10/09/2002 22:54

I saw the ad but at the moment we do not have a garden, we will be moving soon but the garden is small and I think a small sandpit will be about our limits. I agree with whoever said to send an e-mail with the offers. Discounts from companies like Lakeland or Early Learning Centre, anywhere that sells children's clothes/toys or household items would interest me. Money off days out is a good idea too.

My DH says sell the mailing list (personally I'm not sure if this would go down well but I suppose no one would know it was Mumsnet).

Do Mumsnet advertise on hospital/health centre notice boards, might be a way to get more visitors (although the number of visitors doesn't seem to be so much a problem as the finances)?

I would hate to see Mumsnet go, so many days it is a lifeline, either I desperately need some advice or I just want to have a chat/see what's going on.

ionesmum · 10/09/2002 23:01

I would buy a swing from your offer but we only have room for a single frame. Given that many gardens are small perhaps the company could add some of their products that would suit a more limited space.

Other things that I'd like to see are clothes, interesting gifts and nursery items, linens (like the White Co.) and books.

ScummyMummy · 10/09/2002 23:04

No garden.
I'd like to see links/offers on good cheap toys, kids clothes etc. I always try and remember to use the Mumsnet links to amazon and gltc on the rare occasions I use them.
I have my sending my subscription money on the top of my to do list, btw. As soon as my pay kicks in...

Demented · 10/09/2002 23:24

Just another thought, how about a banner at the top of the talk page with a link to the offer of the week/month for those who come straight to talk.

Willow2 · 11/09/2002 00:17

Am kinda shocked that only 200 people have subscribed so far. Do think that people should give something, even if it's only a couple of quid.

PamT · 11/09/2002 08:22

What about resurrecting this thread everytime there are new offers around or even just having a thread to advertise the offers but without having the option to add a message. If there was some way of keeping it on 'last day' or 'active conversations' it would be seen by most people. Maybe a permanent thread for 'Mumsnet announcements' on these pages would be useful.

Batters · 11/09/2002 08:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Enid · 11/09/2002 10:01

I agree with Willow2 about the subscriptions. come on everyone, dig in.

Willow2 · 11/09/2002 10:54

Also, what about a link to the bookpeople.co.uk - they are a fab source of books for kids and v good value. Maybe you could work out a deal that you got a bit of cash for everytime a Mumsnetter made an order?