What are your thoughts on referral schemes?

[MJconfessions]

I’m not sure if there’s a similar thread, but I’m curious about what you think of referral schemes like MedExpress? Theirs is particularly generous - you get £40 account credit every time someone uses your referral code. This means you can end up with completely free medication.

I noticed that in their referral scheme Terms and Conditions, they explicitly state that codes shouldn’t be shared online. But on here and on Reddit and normal social media, these codes are shared all the time. I guess I just wonder why MedExpress doesn’t crack down on this? Are their profits just benefiting enough that it doesn’t make sense for them to intervene?

for me, I don’t mind referral schemes in general if they provide a discount - but something just feels different when people get completely free medication

Welcome to Mumsnet.

@HansHolbein I’m not new to MN - I did change my name on this thread so my other posts wouldn’t be linked.

Looking at your picture, I suppose “too good to be true” applies for referral schemes but I have nothing against the medication so I’m not sure why you posted that. I’m taking it myself.

The provider I now use doesn't use them and I am glad as I don't want to be chasing discounts.

As long as the threads are not spammed with them and they stay on the dedicated thread I don't really otherwise care what other providers business models are.

I don't get if anyone gets "free medication" because they are referring.

I am sure if anyone is breaking any laws they will be reported by a busy body someone.

@MJconfessions Too good to be true refers to the medication itself.

If you are a regular on this part of the forum you will be aware that some users start goady threads on this board and you will know why the bingo card is used.

As someone who uses MedExpress and has hugely benefited of their referral scheme, I absolutely love it. It has allowed me to continue on my journey. I don’t really understand what’s the issue people have with it, it feels like people are begrudging it because they’re not benefiting from it. But guess what - anyone can switch over to them, and anyone who’s over at them has their own code and can bust their own a** to make sure they get money off.

Personally I don't like them and avoid providers who do this. It feels almost like some sort of MLM scheme, this place is full of disingenuous posts by people waxing lyrical about MJ so they can shove their referral code at the end. It's hard to trust anyone who is clearly posting just to shill their referral code for their own benefit. It just all feels a bit grotty, I suppose.

I do understand that for people who are struggling to afford it, it can offer them an opportunity where it might not otherwise exist, but generally I think it's quite unscrupulous when it comes to what is quite powerful medication and I wouldn't be surprised if this was tightened up on in regulations in the near future.

I think it’s normal for people to look for the best possible price for their treatment. For many of us, mounjaro represents a large part of our monthly bills, so if we can get £40 off or 20% off, fabulous.

I understand chasing the discounts is tiresome, but many of the codes aren’t only for new customers, also with the price matching options around it may mean we don’t need to. Or of course, if you’re happy to pay full list price, that’s fine too.

I have benefitted from it in the past (Voy) but touting my code everywhere actually made me deeply uncomfortable and yes, felt like an MLM! I have since moved providers mainly because of it but it would now appear that the new pharmacy are giving referral codes to ‘influencers’ and it has left a bad taste so will probably be on the move again.

It is totally personal choice and I completely understand those that would struggle to cover the cost of the meds without codes. I just know it doesn’t sit well with me so I don’t want to be involved!

Some of the spiels people have advocating for their code to be used do feel like a MLM!

The reason why I started this thread isn’t to bash anyone or any company in particular. I don’t begrudge anyone who has received free medication at all. It’s just that I’m not sure how I feel personally - I had free pens from MedExpress after I posted my code in a private group chat with my friends/family. I was quite surprised that no payment was required at all, I felt like a cheat almost. Like something didn’t sit right having £100s of prescription medication for free.

@3wDavid I think it’s interesting that you feel you “bust your own ass” to get people to use your code after you shared it online with randoms. It seems open to abuse, which is why I’m surprised they haven’t cracked down on people doing that. When I kept getting emails coming in stating someone used my code, I felt like they might start raising eyebrows and asking questions!