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| Thread ID: 76791 | 2007-02-16 00:46:00 | A Class Computers misleading ad? | rogerp (6864) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 525005 | 2007-02-16 00:46:00 | I noticed that there was a banner ad on these PC world forums for A Class computers, where they are offering a free 1 GB USB Flash drive. It doesn't mention anything else about the deal, just that conditions apply, and to click for more info. However when you click on the banner it then says on their website that you have to spend over $800 to get it. Why don't they put that clause on the banner, whch would save us being conned into clicking the add and visiting their website and giving them false website hits. I think this could breach NZ advertising standards by not disclosing essential information on the ad. What do you think? | rogerp (6864) | ||
| 525006 | 2007-02-16 00:55:00 | I can't imagine what use a 1GB USB drive would be - free or not. Even my 20Gb is getting too small. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 525007 | 2007-02-16 00:57:00 | AFAIK, as long as "conditions apply" is in the advert it does not breach standards when the conditions are explained. But in this case the advert itself does not list the conditions - the linked page has this. I clicked on the advert yesterday and was at first glad to see another source of goodies. But I did not bookmark the site as I was not impressed with the prices, range of items and to some extent the site layout. In any case the reader is not conned into making a purchase or otherwise parting with $$, so I doubt if your complaint would lead to a breach of advertising standards. Maybe someone can provide a link to the NZ Advertising Standards - or whatever it is called. There you would find an address or web page to lodge a complaint. |
Strommer (42) | ||
| 525008 | 2007-02-16 00:58:00 | Even my 20Gb is getting too small. Are we talking USB pen drives / sticks ? |
Strommer (42) | ||
| 525009 | 2007-02-16 01:00:00 | "It doesn't mention anything else about the deal, just that conditions apply, and to click for more info." What sort of conditions were you expecting? Adblock would save you from all this. |
PaulD (232) | ||
| 525010 | 2007-02-16 01:47:00 | Stomach growling eh, looking for that free lunch. | Murray P (44) | ||
| 525011 | 2007-02-16 02:08:00 | AFAIK, as long as "conditions apply" is in the advert it does not breach standards when the conditions are explained. But in this case the advert itself does not list the conditions - the linked page has this. I clicked on the advert yesterday and was at first glad to see another source of goodies. But I did not bookmark the site as I was not impressed with the prices, range of items and to some extent the site layout. In any case the reader is not conned into making a purchase or otherwise parting with $$, so I doubt if your complaint would lead to a breach of advertising standards. Maybe someone can provide a link to the NZ Advertising Standards - or whatever it is called. There you would find an address or web page to lodge a complaint. I just think that it is bad that they don't put 'Free 1GB usb drive, when you purchase $800 of products' on the ad itself. It would stop them receiving hits from people. Currently the advert on PC World appears that they are giving away 1 GB flash drives, and you just have to signup to the website to receive it. I have looked at the advertising standards website, and it contains the following. Truthful Presentation - Advertisements should not contain any statement or visual presentation or create an overall impression which directly or by implication, omission, ambiguity or exaggerated claim is misleading or deceptive, is likely to deceive or mislead the consumer, makes false and misleading representation, abuses the trust of the consumer or exploits his/her lack of experience or knowledge. (Obvious hyperbole, identifiable as such, is not considered to be misleading). |
rogerp (6864) | ||
| 525012 | 2007-02-16 02:25:00 | Stomach growling eh, looking for that free lunch. Theres no such thing as a free luch, but the advert makes it appear that their could be, until you visit their website. |
rogerp (6864) | ||
| 525013 | 2007-02-16 03:31:00 | Oh dear . They put out the bait and you bite . You look at their website . It costs you nothing, and presumably you often look at websites of computer companies, without buying anything . I can think of much worse advertising practices . Every week I find in my letterbox circulars containing pictures of voluptuous ladies wearing scanty underwear . NOWHERE IN THOSE CIRCULARS DO THEY SAY THAT THE ATTRACTIVE "ACCESSORIES" DON'T COME WITH THE UNDERWEAR . WAAAH :( It's not fair . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 525014 | 2007-02-16 03:41:00 | Let's not be sexist here, Graham. The blokes in the jockeys & boxers weren't exactly chosen as "weaklings," either... (So we women could feel just as cheated) |
Laura (43) | ||
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