Description:
The ad, appearing on the advertiser’s website, offered 25% off a customer’s entire order once they signed up to receive marketing emails.
Complaint:
The complainant challenged that the ad was misleading as it offered a 25% discount on an entire order when signing up for marketing communications. However, they found that the actual discount applied was only for full price items and was lower than 25%.
Response:
In its response to Council, the advertiser acknowledged that the language of the offer was confusing. The advertiser confirmed that the ad had been withdrawn and that language would be changed for future promotions, to ensure clarity.
Decision:
Council reviewed the complaint together with the ad and the advertiser’s response. Given that the Code violation was obvious, and that the advertiser confirmed that the ad was withdrawn, Council determined a debate of the complaint’s merits was not necessary. Council unanimously held that there was a violation of Clauses 1(b) and 1(c) of the Code, for omitting relevant information and pertinent details of the offer, rendering the ad to be misleading.
Infraction:
Clause 1(b) and 1(c)
