Unsubstanciated Claims in Advertising

Ekka · 19th February 2008, 12:09 AM

Hot off the press of the Dept of Fair Tradings email is this little note.

Quote:

"DNA Model Agency was fined $3,500 and ordered to pay court costs for failing to substantiate its advertised claims about the extent of its operations and its client's potential for career success," Mr Shine said.

"The agency is owned by a Canberra registered company, but operates from a studio in Albert Street in Brisbane's city centre.

"The Office of Fair Trading brought the charge against the DNA Model Agency after receiving complaints from its customers.

"Investigations into the DNA Model Agency revealed its claim of being the 'busiest and largest' agency in Queensland and claims about its clients' potential success could not be substantiated.

"The agency also claimed in its advertising to refund fees paid for photographic shoots if clients didn?t get any work after 12 months.

"For one customer this did not happen until after a complaint was made to the Office of Fair Trading."

Mr Shine said he hoped the penalties dealt to the company would serve as a warning to other traders not to make unsubstantiated claims.

"Traders in every industry must abide by the law, including the Fair Trading Act 1989 under which it is illegal to make claims that cannot be substantiated.

"Consumers who engage the services of such agencies, or any trader who makes claims that require substantiation, are urged to ensure they have proof of the claim before signing a contract."

For more information about trader obligations and consumer rights, visit the Office of Fair Trading website at WELCOME TO FAIRTRADING.COM.AU or phone 13 13 04.

Great stuff, too often we see crap like

"industry leaders"

"best in the business"

"biggest and the best"

Which of course is usually their own opinion and not a fact and hard to be substantiated. Take a look at your own as well as your competitors advertising, make sure you're not sucked into this type of competition coz it can easily happen.

quercus · 19th February 2008, 05:35 PM

We seriously need some agency like an office of fair trading out here... Too bad belgian authorities don't have a standard for treecare and most people do measure the quality of pruning by the amount of limbs whom are sawed off the tree...

I usually stick to "educated, qualified and insured..." That means a lot where I come from. Some people don't care about all that though... But at least I'm not lying when I claim to be the best in a 15 mile radius...

bigshea13 · 19th February 2008, 10:58 PM

they may be the industry leaders......in bull shit
or hte best in the buisness.......of conning people out of their money
or even the biggest and the best ......at ripping you off

it s no different than the next to impossible disclaimers that litter the fine print on almost everything you purchase or better yet the good ole $1.99.....
and of course dont forget the 99/100ths
it all one big pschycological mind f@#king! we see so much of it we as a society become de-sensitized to it. the gov and lawyer use the technique all the time. after you see something so many times, regardless of the severity, it begins to have less and less effect on your emotions...next thing you know it becomes insignificant.

19th February 2008, 05:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
quercus Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 428	Re: Unsubstanciated Claims in Advertising We seriously need some agency like an office of fair trading out here... Too bad belgian authorities don't have a standard for treecare and most people do measure the quality of pruning by the amount of limbs whom are sawed off the tree... I usually stick to "educated, qualified and insured..." That means a lot where I come from. Some people don't care about all that though... But at least I'm not lying when I claim to be the best in a 15 mile radius...

19th February 2008, 10:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigshea13 Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: hiding Posts: 378	Re: Unsubstanciated Claims in Advertising they may be the industry leaders......in bull shit or hte best in the buisness.......of conning people out of their money or even the biggest and the best ......at ripping you off it s no different than the next to impossible disclaimers that litter the fine print on almost everything you purchase or better yet the good ole $1.99..... and of course dont forget the 99/100ths it all one big pschycological mind f@#king! we see so much of it we as a society become de-sensitized to it. the gov and lawyer use the technique all the time. after you see something so many times, regardless of the severity, it begins to have less and less effect on your emotions...next thing you know it becomes insignificant.

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