Fuck off with your patronising emails, Boots!

[GallopingConsumption]

I'm 43 years old. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 10. I've lost weight loads of times but never kept it off long term. I lost 7 stone over 2 years to get down to a healthy weight and have maintained over a year. All done by WLI from Boots.

I DO NOT need Boots to send me emails once or twice a week trying to encourage me to sign up to their patronising sounding webinars about "developing healthy habits". And you CAN'T opt out of these emails as they are not deemed to be marketing emails.

The vibe of said webinars are similar to telling an insomniac that they really should get more sleep or trying to get someone to quit smoking by telling them the health dangers. No, Boots, I don't need you to tell me that bananas and boiled eggs are better than mars bars.

I suppose it's just yet another way that (former) fat people have been historically treated as if we are stupid or deserve to be humiliated. Having to send photos of ourselves in tight clothing, queuing up to be weighted (at WW or the GP), getting a lecture off the GP, etc etc. Tired of it. And yes I'm fully aware of why Boots are doing it - to make extra money and to portray themselves as responsible prescribers. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Use another pharmacy. Boots are expensive anyway.

Thanks, yes they are pricey but I like being able to pick up in store and not risk my meds being lost by Royal Mail. And I don't really want to undertake whatever rigmarole and hoop-jumping the new provider requires.

I don't have an issue with Boots generally, I just wanted a small rant about their irritating emails. I wonder if I can block them somehow. Important messages about my actual prescription go into my online portal thingy.

You can probably stop the emails by closing your account with them and going elsewhere. They are so much more expensive than other providers and for very little additional benefit.

In two years of getting pens sent to me I’ve not had any that have been lost, by RM or any other delivery company. I’ve also changed providers about 7 or 8 times and it’s really not a rigmarole.

If you want to stick with Boots regardless then you could see if your email system lets you set up a rule to bounce any emails that include the word webinar in the subject or content into a folder where you can ignore them.

You can report them as spam and block them @GallopingConsumption.

Oushk said that, following their spectacular inspection failure, the GPhC were looking for evidence that they were advising customers about lifestyle changes and nutrition.

As a result, Oushk started a partnership with Nutrable (I believe they said they cover the cost of patients limited access to their app). I found the app very longwinded and boring and gave up after about 30 minutes. I joined two of their live sessions, where one person irritatingly talked over the main host, and there was a constant plugging of how much more is available through their premium paid for service.

When they recently asked patients for feedback, some people said that they would prefer the option to opt out and pay less, but I doubt that change will happen as it is part of the impression they want to give of a wellbeing company.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to each pharmacy’s interpretation of what the GPhC is looking for, or perhaps they feel these additional “services” help justify their higher pricing.

Thanks all.

I guess my wider point still stands. About the patronisation and humiliation of (former) fat people. We should be able to opt-out of the bullshit emails, we shouldn't have to block them.

Like the fucking GP "have you thought about coming off the injections NOW THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED HEALTHY HABITS?" as if I was eating Mars Bars for breakfast before and wondering why I was fat.

I think I might murder the next person who mentions "learning healthy habits".

I block loads of emails without a second thought, they go into my spam folder and I check if any are important before deleting.

You can pick up WLI from Asda and Morrisons amongst others, I use my local pharmacy.
I hated the tone of the Boots emails too and they never gave me the Advantage points either! It’s not just you.

The emails wouldn't bother me, but the GP is a bit concerning as it doesn't sound like you gave them any indication of wanting to come off. Did s/he show any indication of understanding the risks of regain if you stop?

If you do ever decide to go elsewhere, make sure you tell Boots it was the emails that put you off!

Just send all the emails from them to spam and check your online messages once a week or whatever? They try to run a webinar once a week and frankly there isn’t much to say after a few weeks. Sometimes I listen to them sped up and occasionally there is a useful nugget. But I think they have to demonstrate patient support and this is how they tick that box. What else can you say? Don’t eat shit. Try to exercise now and again. I can’t imagine anyone on the jabs hasn’t given those two nuggets a go.

Boots are expensive but I like to pick up in person and they are the only chain local to me - the independent pharmacies locally charge more so I suck it up. Defo get the advantage card points - I’d be miffed if that didn’t work.

Boots do my head in with how they manage their distribution lists, I’ve complained to their data protection email before but heard nothing. I did a flu jab like 4 years ago and I still get emails telling me when they close for public holidays, I DONT CARE!!!!