complaining about ads

C

car

Guest
Reading the post about the EBS, I too have become increasingly annoyed with hearing ads that give you the soundbite of "Go on, you'll be glad you called" or "We're sure we'll give you the best rate" etc,etc
Whenever I call any of the numbers for the service advertised and the rate isnt the cheapest I am not glad I called.
Is putting out ads that include the above lines false advertising? If someone wants to put out an ad, then fair enough, just dont put a line in like " we guarantee you'll be happy you called" in it. Because they quite clearly cant.
This is not to be confused with the other annoying type of ads, we all know the one, so lets sing along " go, harvey go....". Pass the sickbag, vicar.
 
ASAI

I think its useful to understand what the ASAI is and how the operate before making a formal complaint. It is always worth you while complaining directly to the company concerned in the first instance. Some companies like to be seen to be proactive and progressive when it comes to customer complaints and comments. Comments on customer service and complaints are always welcome in AAM provided the comment is not a "destructive rant" or in relation to a barred topic.

The ASAI bulleteins are informative and quite entertaining in a strange kind of way. Check out the current crop and in particular the one about the AirLine that "dare not speak its name" around here at any rate.

This key post deals with general question of customer complaints and how companies react to them:


The following is from the ASAI website:
The Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland is the independent self-regulatory body set up and financed by the advertising industry and committed in the public interest to promoting the highest standards of advertising and sales promotion.
Self-Regulation means the adoption by the advertising industry of standards drawn up by and on behalf of all advertising interests. It involves the enforcement of those standards through the commitment and cooperation of advertisers, agencies and media.
The objective is to ensure that all commercial advertisements and promotions are 'legal, decent, honest and truthful'. The rules are set out in the Code of Advertising Standards and the Code of Sales Promotion Practice, drawn up by the Board of ASAI following detailed consultation with all relevant interests including consumer representatives and Government Departments
The strength of the self-regulatory system lies in the support and commitment of the advertising business - advertisers, advertising agencies, media specialists, direct marketing companies, sales promotion consultants and the various media - print, radio, television, cinema and outdoor interests.
Members of ASAI are required to abide by the Codes and not to publish an advertisement or conduct a promotion which contravenes Code rules.
Click to expand...

ajapale
 
Re: ASAI

I have made complaints to the ASAI which were upheld and did not appear in their quarterly (?) bulletin for some reason. A big problem with the ASAI complaint process is that it can be so long drawn out that even when an advertisement is deemed to contravene the standards/guidelines it may have run its course by the time that a complaint is upheld.
 
Fiant Secundum Descriptionem Bona

hi Clubman,

upheld and did not appear in their quarterly bulletin
Click to expand...
This is strange I wounder if there legal considerations which made it impossible for them to publish their deliberations. Or perhaps the ad agency just got it 'nobbled' because it was embarrassing?

process can be so long drawn out
Click to expand...
This is a problem .. you often read that the ad was withdrawn even before it was considered by the ASAI.

I would add to this the point that some ad agencies are not adverse to courting noteriety and use a negative ASAI determination to further prompote the product/service even more.

to go back to the original posters point, I dont know what you can do about 'weasel words' in ads. 'Weasel words' are difficult for the ASAI to rule on and in any case might be beyond their remit. The two examples of 'weasel words' which get me are the EBS 'means a great deal to you' and BUPA 'rated highly among the community'. In both cases two propositions are hopelessly mixed up. In the case of EBS mutuality and value and in the case of BUPA 'community rating' and public perception of BUPA as a company. Thankfully I have not come across any other examples of 'weasel words' in advertising (out side political advertising but sin sceal eile)

ajapale
 
Re: Fiant Secundum Descriptionem Bona

This is strange I wounder if there legal considerations which made it impossible for them to publish their deliberations. Or perhaps the ad agency just got it 'nobbled' because it was embarrassing?

In at least one case the ASAI contacted the company in question who agreed to change the advertisement so perhaps the complaint was technically not upheld and so didn't appear in the bulletin? I was less concerned with the mechanics of the ASAI process in this case than with the problem with the advertisement itself so I didn't pursue the matter once it had been dealt with.
 
If you object to a specific advertisement then contact the ASAI and/or (in the case of financial institutions) [broken link removed] with details of your complaint.
 
asai

Interesting. I know 2 companies at the moment that use "weasel words" (ta for the correct terminology). I'll send a mail to both customer service contacts of the companies and depending on the replies or lack thereof, to the ASAI.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top