This weeks rulings have been published. The following advertisers have been formally investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Rulings for: 04 October 2017
A poster ad for PrettyLittleThing.com, seen on 1 August 2017, featured a full-length shot of a model wearing a leaf-print strapless dress and large green earrings. Large text located in the right-hand lower third of the ad stated “SHOP NEW IN FROM £8”. The text “£8” was stated in significantly larger font. Small tex…
- Age Partnership Ltd – Upheld
A TV ad for an equity release scheme from Age Partnership Ltd, seen 26 February 2017, featured an older couple. They stated, “We began to worry about our finances, especially with living costs going up all the time. We had thought about releasing money from our home, so we visited the Age Partnership website. We wer…
- Better Bathrooms UK Ltd – Upheld
Four email ads, two website ads and two TV ads, for Better Bathrooms:
An email sent 20 December 2016 stated “70% OFF + A Further 10% OFF Early Bird Sale!” in the Subject line, and “EARLY BIRD SALE UP TO 70% OFF PLUS A FURTHER 10% OFF ALL SALE ITEMS APPLIED AT CHECKOUT” in the body of the email. Nine product…
- Channel Four Television Corporation – Not Upheld
A TV ad for Haig Whiskey was broadcast on Channel 4 at 8:30 am on 12 April 2017 during the TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond”.
- Gala Interactive (Gibraltar) Ltd – Upheld
An ad for Gala Bingo seen on www.365dailynews.co/uk/casino, on 22 May 2017 under the headline “On Their Wedding Night He Delivered A Secret She Wasn’t Ready For. The Result Will Have You In Tears” had the appearance of an editorial article. It included text such as “… William is also over £130,000 in debt after havi…
An ad for a prize promotion seen in December 2016 in a disability lifestyle magazine, to win a week long all-inclusive holiday at a supported resort for adults and children with learning disabilities/difficulties and autism, in France. The Terms & Conditions included text stating, “… which will be shared accommo…
A website for Green Tree Timber, www.greentreedoors.co.uk, seen in July 2017, included a web page titled “External Frames”, which stated “External premium solid Malaysian oak door frames suitable for use with 44mm thick external oak doors. Manufactured using selected premium oak and supplied unfinished ready for you…
- Kuoni Travel Ltd – Upheld
A brochure for Kuoni, advertising the Shore Hotel in Phuket, Thailand, seen on 19 April 2017, stated “Offering the ultimate in relaxation, this beautiful boutuqie [sic] resort is a secluded haven”. Alongside the text were four images of the rooms in the property overlooking the sea.
A mobile website for Matthew Wallace trading as UK Carbon Cleaning (www.carbon-cleaning.co.uk) seen on 25 September 2016, stated “ENGINE CARBON CLEANING” Benefits: Fuel saving increased MPG. Prolongs engine life. Restores performance. Reduces emissions … Removes carbon deposits from all engine types. Res…
A website for Online Tax Rebates Ltd, www.teachertaxrebate.co.uk, seen in April 2017 included the text on the home page, “The easy way to get a tax refund” which was accompanied by a large button which stated “CLICK HERE TO ESTIMATE YOUR REBATE AND CLAIM”. Underneath, further text stated “If you are an education pro…
- Park Cameras Ltd – Upheld
Two paid-for Google ads for camera products, for Park Cameras:
a. The first ad, seen on 20 June 2017, advertised the price for a Canon M3 digital camera as £329.00.
b. The second ad, seen on 26 June 2017, advertised the price for a Tamron 24-70 lens as £699.00.
- PaymentSense Ltd – Not Upheld
A job listing on Indeed, for PaymentSense, a merchant service provider, seen on 12 April 2017, stated “Field Sales Agent – Stratford UK”. A sub-heading on the page stated “Salary: £0-80k per year”. Further text stated “Self-employed (Excellent commission structure + Recurring payments) … Come and work for Paymentsen…
- Safercigs Ltd – Upheld
The home page of the e-cigarettes website www.safercigs.co.uk, seen in June 2017, stated “Dr Salt E-liquids. Changing the way you vape one tank at a time” in a cartoon font. This was accompanied by a cartoon image of a man in a white coat with a stethoscope.
- Simba Sleep Ltd – Upheld
Three ads for Simba Sleep Ltd, a mattress retailer, seen on 10 May 2017:
a. A sponsored ad on Google stated “Most Advanced Mattress Ever – The Simba Sleep Mattress”.
b. A sponsored Facebook post stated “How old is your mattress? 5 years, 10 years?! No wonder you’re waking up with aches and pains. It’s ti…
- Tarak International Ltd t/a Quiz Clothing – Not Upheld
A poster for Quiz Clothing, a clothing retailer, seen in June 2017. The ad depicted a young woman wearing ripped jeans and a bardot-style top, who was sitting in the window of an ice cream van and licking an ice cream.
- Wickes Building Supplies Ltd – Upheld
A web page describing a kitchen sale, seen on www.wickes.co.uk on 9 May 2017, stated “50% off kitchen units”.
- Wren Living Ltd – Upheld
A radio ad for Wren Kitchens, heard on Talk Sport on 20 February 2017. The voice-over stated, “Right now, in Wren Kitchens’ Winter Sale, kitchens are half price, plus an extra 25% off – and, there’s 10% off sinks and taps. Hurry, offer ends tonight, 10pm.”
- Zara UK Ltd – Not Upheld
A website for Zara, www.zara.com/uk, seen on 22 June 2017 featured a bag described as in a “SALE” at £15.99, with a price of £19.99 crossed out.
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Previous rulings: 27 September 2017