Promotional Emails from diabetes.co.uk

[gewoff]

Over the past few weeks - in fact since I joined this forum - I have received an increasing numbers of promotional emails apparently from diabetes.co.uk - very colourful and bright, but often infomation gathering and promoting what might be unnecessary sales to unsuspecting recipients......

At first I was quite pleased to read these communications, but now it seems that they are becoming more frequent, and more sales orientated. One received just now is offering a 'Free 7 Day Meal Plan' but requires a mass of info on me and my medical needs, with a limited Privacy Policy; and a second topic of 'Type 2 Testing Program' (yes, the American spelling) which encourages those not precribed with a Testing Meter and Strips, to buy them at considerable repeat expense, when such equipment might not be needed and maybe even worrying for those unprepared......

Does anyone know if diabetes.co.uk has any link to Diabetes UK? or is it an independent company? Diabetes UK obviously does a great job in supporting us all, and needs every penny to be able to provide this support effectively, but if they are linked to these emails, they do make me feel a bit uncomfortable......

Am I alone in these concerns?

 

[Northerner]

Unfortunately, diabetes.co.uk don't really spell out the fact that they are nothing to do with the charity organisation Diabetes UK. They do have a disclaimer on their site, but you have to look for it. As you have concluded, whilst they do offer a forum, they also have a commercial agenda - you can read about it here:

http://startups.co.uk/the-entrepreneur-arjun-panesar-diabetes-co-uk/

They have had a very high profile campaign over the past couple of years to expand their membership, which appears to have had significant success in building numbers, although activity of their forum is similar to our own with a fraction of the membership.

 

[bill hopkinson]

I have a policy about charity giving:
1. A charity that knocks at my door
2. A charity that sends me unrequited emails
Is crossed off the list.

So, I do not have tax related giving to any diabetes charity.

 

[Northerner]

I have a policy about charity giving:
1. A charity that knocks at my door
2. A charity that sends me unrequited emails
Is crossed off the list.

So, I do not have tax related giving to any diabetes charity.

Just to reiterate Bill, diabetes.co.uk is NOT a charity, nor is it related in any way to Diabetes UK.

 

[gewoff]

Thanks Northerner - I've unsubscribed......

 

[Amberzak]

I have a policy about charity giving:
1. A charity that knocks at my door
2. A charity that sends me unrequited emails
Is crossed off the list.

So, I do not have tax related giving to any diabetes charity.

Isn't it a bit wrong to cut off ALL diabetes charities just because you get emails and door knockers from one?

And as northerner said, diabetes.co.uk is not in any way linked to diabetes UK, who do actually do quite a lot of good work.

 

[bill hopkinson]

Isn't it a bit wrong to cut off ALL diabetes charities just because you get emails and door knockers from one?
And as northerner said, diabetes.co.uk is not in any way linked to diabetes UK, who do actually do quite a lot of good work.

I am saying that diabetesUK have annoyed me.

 

[Amberzak]

That's not what you said:

So, I do not have tax related giving to any diabetes charity.

Sorry. I'm autistic so tend to be a bit literal. I realise you probably were using hyperbole. 🙂

 

[Silmarillion]

What exactly do the diabetes charities spend their money on.....except for their fancy websites?

 

[Northerner]

What exactly do the diabetes charities spend their money on.....except for their fancy websites?

Raising awareness, lobbying and research 🙂 Unfortunately, despite the prevalence of diabetes and the awful consequences, most diabetes charities receive a fraction of the donations that other charities e.g. cancer do This is largely because of the huge misconception that diabetes is solely a 'lifestyle' disease that people succumb to by being fat and lazy

 

[Amberzak]

Which annoys me immensely because some cancers are also known to be caused by lifestyle, ie smoking.

 

[phonic2k]

Sorry for posting in an old thread, but must say I was banned for asking the question about diabetes.org.uk, and from asking why via email to them, the reply was to banned my IP address as well. I guess I must have touched a nerve? Very strange behaviour.

 

[Northerner]

Sorry for posting in an old thread, but must say I was banned for asking the question about diabetes.org.uk, and from asking why via email to them, the reply was to banned my IP address as well. I guess I must have touched a nerve? Very strange behaviour.

It's a shame they didn't take the opportunity to clarify the distinction between the two sites. I certainly don't see why someone should be banned for mentioning Diabetes UK - were you quoted a reason from their Forum guidelines?

 

[phonic2k]

It's a shame they didn't take the opportunity to clarify the distinction between the two sites. I certainly don't see why someone should be banned for mentioning Diabetes UK - were you quoted a reason from their Forum guidelines?

It started after opening a thread called "Diabetes.co.uk is not Diabetes UK forum?"
It was deleted and account banned for 4 days. reason C12 point 7 "Using our Forum as a method to solicit users without seeking prior approval from the Moderators."
then upgraded to banned after sending a email to them asking why.

I later asked for my content to be removed as I've found out it's not Diabetes UK, but a limited company, I got no rely, but my IP banned, but content remains.
I guess a touched on a nerve. No loss to me, as I've found the real site now. I even promoted and endorsed it on radio, big mistake, that has now been corrected with the correct address. We learn 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Well, I wouldn't have thought asking the question was an attempt at 'poaching' members, but I suppose it might switch a light bulb on in some people's heads 🙄 I think quite a few of our members use both forums. I think ours is better, but maybe I'm biased 😉

 

[phonic2k]

Well, I wouldn't have thought asking the question was an attempt at 'poaching' members, but I suppose it might switch a light bulb on in some people's heads 🙄 I think quite a few of our members use both forums. I think ours is better, but maybe I'm biased 😉

As the IP was dynamic, the IP address changed as soon as I reset my router, so someone else has unfortunately been blocked now.
But I will never register with them again.

 

[Vicsetter]

I found 'the other' forum quite aggressive and decided not to bother with them. I have noticed some of their members also on here.

 

[phonic2k]

I found 'the other' forum quite aggressive and decided not to bother with them. I have noticed some of their members also on here.

I did get the feeling if you disagree you will be jumped on, post,thread deleted etc. LCHF or leave. It's gotten very police state, not sure way, but as diabetics, we already have stress and more stress does not help. Sadly for me, I really thought it was the diabetes UK forum.

 

[trophywench]

Well that forum used to use the previous Diabetes UK 'Hummingbird' Logo when I first signed up to it - I was appalled once I realised it wasn't anything to do with 'my' charity (although these days as a Trustee of a cancer charity I am somewhat wiser to such things. I wasn't then!) although I quickly got myself banned for having the temerity to comment on a T2 LCHF thread that LCHF wasn't suitable for everyone for the simple reason that every person is DIFFERENT. (Ooops, my mistake, wonder it hasn't had to be given the status of a 'faith' like saying you're Jedi has! LOL) I wrote to DUK to complain and say they really ought to do something about it, they must have a solicitor after all - I surely couldn't be the only one that did? - and oddly the commercial forum to which we refer, shortly afterward changed their logo.......

 

[phonic2k]

Well that forum used to use the previous Diabetes UK 'Hummingbird' Logo when I first signed up to it - I was appalled once I realised it wasn't anything to do with 'my' charity (although these days as a Trustee of a cancer charity I am somewhat wiser to such things. I wasn't then!) although I quickly got myself banned for having the temerity to comment on a T2 LCHF thread that LCHF wasn't suitable for everyone for the simple reason that every person is DIFFERENT. (Ooops, my mistake, wonder it hasn't had to be given the status of a 'faith' like saying you're Jedi has! LOL) I wrote to DUK to complain and say they really ought to do something about it, they must have a solicitor after all - I surely couldn't be the only one that did? - and oddly the commercial forum to which we refer, shortly afterward changed their logo.......

I've disagreed with a member on very low carb diets as I reversed it without such limited diet of only zero-20g per day, and got my posts deleted and had a warning not to battle others members(battle??), and banned for making the thread "Diabetes.co.uk is not Diabetes UK forum?", they do not seem to like that as a thread title, as it gets deleted within minutes, and comes with an automatic ban and IP blocked for asking why.

The site does in my option look like Diabetes UK, and sure many other people have been fouled by it.