Telecommunicatie  

RCC 20 juli 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/0522 (ThePhonehouse) 

Reclamerecht. Folder met onder afbeelding van een Blackberry een tekst welke inhoudt dat je extra korting krijgt als je al prepaidklant bent. Klager stelt dat uiting misleidend is nu hij prepaid klant is, maar niet het klantenvoordeel kon krijgen. Verweerder stelt dat hoogte van korting afhankelijk is van gebruik klant. Intensiever gebruik levert meer korting op, vandaar ook de "vanaf-prijs" in uiting.
Commissie oordeelt dat de uiting indruk wekt dat prepaidklanten in ieder geval enig voordeel genieten. Niet is weersproken dat klager helemaal geen klantvoordeel genoot. Sprake van onjuiste informatie t.a.v. specifiek prijsvoordeel (art. 8.2 aanhef en onder d NRC). Strijd met art. 7 NRC. Doet aanbeveling.

De mededeling “Bel je al met Hi PrePay? Vraag de verkoper naar je extra korting!” wekt de indruk dat prepaidklanten van Hi in ieder geval enig klantvoordeel genieten bij de aanschaf van de aangeboden Blackberry 8520, ook al kan uit de vermelding “met klantvoordeel vanaf € 129,99” worden afgeleid dat het voordeel niet altijd € 30 zal bedragen. Niet is weersproken dat klager, in het bezit van een Hi prepaid simkaart, voor de Blackberry de prijs van € 159,99 moest betalen en dus geen enkel klantvoordeel genoot.

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link / pdf)
Regeling: NRC art. 7, art. 8.2 aanhef en onder d
Zie eerdere uitspraak over The Phonehouse hier: RB 1005 en RB 718

Ook de Advertising Standards Authorization, de RCC in Groot-Britannië, heeft een bundel uitspraken gepubliceerd. Categorieën variëren van boek over diabetes, dieet, schroothandelaar, afslankproduct, tijdschrift, electronica,
bouwmaterialen, vliegtuigmaatschappij, electrische producten, verwarmingspomp, sportaccessoires, bar, ontgrendelen van mobiel, decoraties, alcoholische drank.

Zie plaatje hieronder, klik voor de directe site hier.

Matt Traverso
Claims on a website, viewed on 13 April 2011, for a book entitled “How to reverse Diabetes”. The ad was headed "The Diabetes-Reversing BreakthroughTM Don't Even Think About Taking More Diabetes Drugs Until You Read This!!". Further text stated "Unconditionally Guaranteed to Normalize Your Blood Sugar Levels and Reverse The Root Cause of Diabetes! ... Hear from the world's top doctors and Nobel Prize winners and learn how to lower your blood sugar naturally and eliminate your...

Leslie Kenton
Claims on a website for the Cura Romana weight loss protocol, on 30 March 2011, stated "You can lose from 15 to 30 pounds a month - in safety, without hunger. Shed resistant fat from thighs, hips and waist that slimming diets don't budge. Restore your body's natural shape permanently ... A double-barrelled weight loss miracle. Cura Romana has two parts to it - a natural Essential Spray, and a highly specific dietary protocol. Together they help burn your inessential fat stores at a rate...

JKL (Wakefield) Ltd
Seven ads, for a scrap metal dealer, on the back of local buses in April 2011, featured images of different women dressed in underwear. Each ad contained text stating "KERCHING! GET MORE CASH FOR YOUR SCRAP AT ERIC FRANCE SCRAP METAL MERCHANTS".a. One ad featured a woman wearing red and white leopard-print underwear and black shoes, lying on her side and propped up on one arm.b. A second ad featured a woman wearing black underwear. She was lying on her back across some large metal...

Power Slim Acai 
A website offering Acai Berry capsules included the text "Increased energy levels Cleanse and detox Reduced appetite stabilized blood sugar levels". Further text stated "Acai Berry Slimming Capsule ABC (Double Effects) is a 100% natural product, which helps as a slimming aid, increases energy levels and improves the complexion Acai Berry Capsule (ABC) contains pure Acai Berry extract and selected Chinese herbs which work in conjunction with Acai to aid weight loss Other...

The Maxim Creative Group Ltd 
An ad, in Retail Design and Technology magazine, dated 25 April 2011. The ad featured a photograph of a woman who had been gagged. Text stated “MAXIMUM DOMINATION CONTROLLING YOUR RETAIL ENVIROMENT...”

The Carphone Warehouse Ltdv
A regional press ad for a technology retailer, on 20 April 2011, was headlined "WE LOVE GREAT DEALS UP TO 50% OFF THIS EASTER at bestbuy.co.uk or in-store". The ad featured an image of a TOSHIBA 32" LCD TV next to a roundel that stated "SAVE £200". Text underneath the image stated "Model:32KV500 Freeview, USB input ... NOW £199.99". The text "was £399.99*" was crossed through. Footnoted text at the bottom of the ad stated "*Previous price...

Scandinavian Log Cabins Direct Ltd 
A website offering building materials, accessed on 24 April 2011, provided VAT-exclusive prices.

Jet2.com Ltd
A website and poster, seen 8 March 2011, promoted air travel.a. The home page featured a photo of a beach scene with blue sky and sea, yellow sand, a palm tree, parasol and sun loungers. Text over the photo read “Summer Flight Sale fm £9.99 one way inc. taxes”.b. A poster on the side of a bus stated “Summer sun flight sale! From £9.99 Jet2.com”.

Buy It Direct Ltd 
A website, on 20 April 2011, for a Fratelli Onofri Imperial 90 cm Fuel Range Cooker. Text stated "Was £3370.19 You save £305.22" and advertised the cooker at £3064.97.

ACS Renewable Solutions Ltd
A mailing, for ACS Renewable Solutions, made a number of claims for an air source heat pump. The mailing included a table labelled "Examples of Actual Customer Savings (after a Heat Pump was installed)", which compared the fuel costs per annum of six different houses before and after a heat pump was installed. One example was a four-bedroom house, which cost £1200 per annum when heated by liquefied petroleum (LPG) and under £400 when heated with a heat pump.

Accapi UK LLP
Claims on a website selling health and sports accessorises, in April 2011, stated "Photonizer Bottle Cover ... Photonizer 4-14 is a revolutionary bottle cover, made using the exclusive Nexus fabric. Thanks to its constant natural emission of infrared rays, it has a beneficial effect on the properties of water and water-based liquids. The effect of the Photonizer 4-14 water bottle and flask cover on water and water-based liquids is very fast. Scientific studies demonstrate that...

Cavendish Bars Trading Ltd
A circular for Wahoo Bar in Southampton, distributed on 16 March 2011, featured a topless woman with the word "Wahoo" placed over each of her nipples, wearing a small pair of knickers

code2unlock
Claims on a website, for mobile phone unlocking, in May 2011, stated "code2unlock. Easy! Mobile unlocking made easy. Learn how to unlock your phone now!" Users were promoted to enter

CODE09
A sponsored link on Google, accessed in March 2011, stated "21 Inch Extendable Baton. Great Selection & Prices on Batons, We Ship Worldwide to United Kingdom".

Cell Drinks
Three video ads on YouTube, seen 29 June 2011, promoted an alcoholic drink, Cell Drink. The videos had been uploaded by the advertisers and also appeared on the Youtube section of their Facebook page.a. One ad opened with on-screen text which stated “The story so far ... Cell Drinks challenged champion free-runner Tim Shieff to test out Cell Drink’s zero spillage claims. Is Cell really ‘made for the Dancefloor’? Let’s find out”. The video featured Tim Shieff free-running and jumping around...

RCC 12 juli 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/00518 (T-mobile)

Reclamerecht. Inloggedeelte van T-mobile website met de tekst "Bestaande klanten verdienen voordeel." Klaagster stelt dat deze bewering niet klopt nu onder deze bewering op de pagina staat dat de iPhone 4 voor nieuwe klanten 99,95 euro plus 30 euro aansluitkosten is en 149,95 euro voor bestaande klanten. Verweerder stelt dat genoemd voordeel voor bestaande klanten die een iPhone 4 willen is komen te vervallen. Genoemde zinsnede wordt niet meer gebruikt, zoals ook te zien is op door klaagster overlegde afbeelding.

Commissie oordeelt dat op de door klaagster overlegde afdruk wel de zinsnede "Bestaande klanten verdienen voordeel" staat vermeld boven de afbeelding van de iPhone 4. Vastgesteld is dat dit voordeel niet geldt voor de aanschaf van een iPhone 4. Daarom sprake van onjuiste informatie (art. 8.2 aanhef NRC). Strijd met art. 7 NRC. Doet aanbeveling.

In tegenstelling tot hetgeen adverteerder in haar verweer heeft aangevoerd, blijkt uit de door klaagster overgelegde afdruk dat op de inlogpagina op t-mobile.nl, boven de afbeelding van de iPhone 4 16GB in witte en in zwarte uitvoering, de zinsnede “Bestaande klanten verdienen voordeel” is gebruikt. Vast is komen te staan dat met deze zinsnede wordt gedoeld op voordeel dat bestaande klanten genieten ten opzichte van nieuwe klanten. Eveneens is komen vast te staan, dat dit voordeel niet geldt voor de in de uiting afgebeelde iPhone 4, waarvan de door bestaande klanten te betalen prijs hoger is dan die voor nieuwe klanten.

Gelet op het vorenstaande gaat de bestreden uiting gepaard met onjuiste informatie als bedoeld in artikel 8.2 aanhef van de Nederlandse Reclame Code (NRC).

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link / pdf)
Regeling: NRC art. 7; art. 8.2 aanhef.
Lees eerdere uitspraak over T-mobile hier: RB 986.

Ook de Advertising Standards Authorization, de RCC in Groot-Britannië, heeft een bundel uitspraken gepubliceerd. Categorieën variëren van holistische zorg, prijsvraag bij bier, evenementenwervingbureau, vrouwencentrum, shampoo, fotocamera, Groupon, verhuizersgilde, autobedrijf, telefoonabonnement, slotenmaker, bedrijf wat advertentieruimte aanbiedt, keukenproducten, download service voor spelletjes op mobiel, brandstofbesparend product, supermarkt, dieetprogramma, vliegmaatschappij, anti-rimpel crème, marketing website, Virgin Media, website voor domeinnamen, oplossing tegen stotteren, garage, vergelijking van financiële producten, biologische boerderij.

Zie plaatje hieronder (klik voor vergroting), klik voor de directe site hier

Organic Trade Board
A magazine ad for organic farming that featured a man and his son dressed in a pantomime cow costume was headlined "We love organic because we care about animals". Text beneath quoted the man featured in the ad and said "I like to see myself as the brains of this outfit, even if my son doesn't agree! But when he told me about organic, well, I never looked back. Organic means fewer drugs or antibiotics, it also means better conditions for animals so they get to thrive and grow more naturally....

Moneysupermarket.com Ltd
Website and email for a financial products comparison service: a. The website included the text "“EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARDS...Because we’re Britain’s No. 1 comparison site we have been able to negotiate great exclusive deals especially for moneysupermarket.com customers. Use our free, independent comparison to find the best offers you can’t find elsewhere.” On the page for all UK credit cards, the “Smart Search” feature was offered as an “Exclusive service” and stated “Get approved first time....

Lawrence of Kemnay Ltd
A regional press ad, for a car dealership, appeared on 3 March 2011. It was headlined “CUSTOMER SAVING £3400” and included an image of a car. Further text stated “new model fordfiesta edge 1.25 (60PS) 3-dr New on the road price £12,395 Our on the road price £8,995 HURRY - limited number available for immediate delivery on ‘11’ reg ... ”.

Stammering Cure
A website, on 5 April 2011, with the url www.stammeringcure.org. Text stated "... Discover how to stop stuttering with stammering cure that works ... You can Click Here Now to check out one thing that really helped me with my stammer ...". A number of hyperlinks on the website led to www.killyourstutter.com, a site which advertised a product that claimed to cure a stutter.

Webfusion Ltd
A website for domain names gave prices for various types of domain names including ".co.uk £2.99 a year". Text at the bottom of the home page stated "All prices Ex. VAT".

Virgin Media Ltd
a. A national press ad for Virgin Media seen in September and October 2010 stated "Fibre optic broadband £15 a month - It's official, Ofcom have proven our fibre optic broadband is around twice as fast as BT, Sky and Talk Talk's comparable packages, even at peak times†". The cross sign was linked to footnote text which stated "Source: Ofcom, July 2010. Virgin Media up to 10Mb broadband compared to competitors 8Mb or 10Mb broadband". b. A second national press ad also seen in September and...

Suntek Group
A marketer's own website, accessed on 16 April, stated "The best things in life are free ... like FREE SHIPPING! In addition to our recent storewide price reduction, we are now offering worldwide free shipping for all items and on all orders! No minimum purchase requirements!"

kgb (UK) Ltd
A sales promotion, on the kgb website, viewed on 28 March 2011. Text stated “£26 for a two-month supply of Acai Anti-Wrinkle Capsules worth £99.98 from i want to pay less - save 74%"

bmibaby Ltd
A promotional e-mail and a website for an airline promotion offering discounts on flights: a. The email ad stated "Gotta fly, baby! Up to 40% off ALL flights!" b. The website also stated "Up to 40% off ALL flights!". Terms and conditions at the bottom of the next page, after clicking on the promotion, stated "Offers available until Tuesday 22nd March. Up to 40% off applies to the airfare only and excludes airport taxes and charges".

Alegiance Services Ltd
An ad for a diet programme on the website www.dailyhealthalerts.com stated “Acai berries are the latest weight loss fad ... While there are ton’s [sic] of Acai berry ads online, Acai Diet Plus is one of the most credible and trustworthy suppliers on the market. It included the free* trial of the product and it did not try to fool me into agreeing to additional hidden offers”. Additional text featured in a customer testimonial stated "I couldn‘t be any happier with the results. I Lost 6 kgs in...

Aldi Stores Ltd
An e-mail, for Aldi supermarket, had the subject heading "Try the Aldi challenge today". The body of the e-mail had the headline "Try the Aldi challenge today and see how much you can save!". Below were two images, one showing 13 premium brand products with the text "Other supermarkets £13.92", and next to it the second featuring 13 equivalent Aldi products and the text "Your Aldi store ONLY £7.53". Text between the two images stated "SWAP &...

Global Gateway AS
Claims on the VIABTOR website, for a fuel saving device, stated "VIABTOR FOR GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND PRIVATE ECONOMY ... DRIVE CHEAPER AND MORE ECO FRIENDLY ... By using the VIABTOR you can contribute to solving the huge problems the world is facing today: climate changes, pollution and CO2 emissions ... Comprehensive tests show that from the moment the VIABTOR is fitted the car becomes more fuel efficient and produces less pollution ... GET A VIABTOR FOR YOUR CAR AND SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND YOUR...

Jesta Digital GmbH
A TV ad for a mobile phone game download service, broadcast in April 2011, featured a voice-over which stated "Get this SMS spy app on your mobile and subscribe for £4.50 per week! Fool your friends and pretend that you read other people's text messages. Just enter the phone number of your victim and spy his SMS box. Send 'Spy' to XXXXX. This fun app can hack into your friend's mobiles and give you all their incoming and very private SMS messages. So try it! Just text 'Spy' to XX XXX. That’s...

Jean Patrique Cookware Ltd
Two promotional e-mails, for kitchenware products, included an image of electronic salt and pepper mills: a. The first ad was sent on 3 March 2011 and had the subject heading “Electronic Salt and Pepper Mills only 1.99 GBP RRP 49.99 GBP”. The e-mail was headlined “ELECTRONIC SALT & PEPPER MILLS RRP £49.99 You SAVE £48 per Pair. Text below stated “This is an Incredible OFFER ! ...HURRY UP ! Attention: Offer only valid while stocks last!” and showed “£49.99” crossed out; “ONLY £1.99”...

Hansa Media Ltd
A mailing, dated 07/03/2011, from a company selling advertising space stated "Your business details will appear on www.searchforcompanies.co.uk”. It was laid out in tabular format with the headings "Unit", "Quantity", "Price per month" and “Total amount". It also provided a customer number, web pin number and a payment date. It also provided bank transfer and cheque details for payment. Text at the foot of the mailing stated "This document is not a demand for payment. It is an invitation to...

Lock-Serv
Claims on the Salisbury Locksmiths 24-7 website on 5 March 2011 included “Locksmith Salisbury Locksmiths In Salisbury 24 Hour Locksmith Salisbury No Callout Charges In Salisbury Local Locksmith In Salisbury ... Salisbury Locksmiths 24-7 originally started off in Salisbury in 2006 ... We have a large coverage of highly skilled locksmiths in Salisbury ... Salisbury Locksmiths 24-7 can be at your door within 30 Minutes of your call day or night ... ”.

Hutchison 3G UK Ltd
Claims on Three's website, viewed on 27 March 2011, stated "No other network gives you more for £10. More minutes, texts, and internet You get a great value package when you convert £10 of credit into our All in One 10 Add-on. See the table below to find out how we compare to these other high-street operators". The table compared Three's package to those of Orange, T-Mobile, Tesco, Virgin, Asda, Vodafone and O2.

Midland Van Conversions
Claims on a website for a van conversion company, in April 2011, stated "Based in the heart of England, Midland van conversions have over 40 years experience within the motortrade and specialise in the conversions of all makes of panel van". The 'Gallery' section of the website featured photos of different van conversions.

National Guild of Removers Storers
Text on the National Guild of Removers & Storers website stated "No other organisation or firm comes close to matching The Guild and its Members when it comes to consumer protection measures".

MyCityDeal Ltd
Two e-mails for Groupon deal of the day coupons: a. One e-mail, sent on 15 February, stated "£98 for £1650 towards Invisalign Teeth-Bracing Technology and Whitening at Q Clinic. View now For £98,00 [sic] Discount 94% Saving £1552,00 [sic]". Underneath, below the heading "Highlights" text stated "£1650 discount on the full price (usually £3,500)" and text under the heading "Fine Print" stated "Holder must pay remaining balance". b. The second e-mail, sent on 5 March, stated "Today's Extra...

DSG Retail Ltd
An electronics website advertising the NIKON Coolpix S8000 Compact Digital Camera listed the price as £119.97 and stated "Save a total of £130.02". When clicking the ad, on 30/03/2011, a second page loaded which informed consumers that the product was not available and recommended an alternative camera.

Alberto-Culver Company (UK) Ltd
a. A press ad was headed "10x stronger after just one use* Naturally". The body copy stated "With fewer sulphates and silicone free conditioning, new TRESemme Naturals won't dry out or weigh down your hair. With natural extracts of avocado, sweet orange and aloe vera, it helps to hydrate and smooth. Giving you hair that's 10X stronger after only one use. Get salon performance naturally, at a price that feels right". Text at the bottom of the ad stated "*TRESemme Naturals Shampoo and...

Albany Womens Centre
A company listing on Yell.com, for a pregnancy advice service, appeared under a search listing for 'Abortion Clinics'. The ad stated "Albany Women's Centre [address]. Considering Abortion? Free Pregnancy Testing Information & Advisory Service Quick & Confidential Morning After? Polish And Spanish Spoken".

Alfa Agency
Two online ads for an events recruitment company: a. The first ad, on the FRIDAY-AD website on 7 April 2011, was headlined "Alfa Agency Pr Events staff Models required work available ...". Text underneath stated "Alfa Agency Pr events staff Models required work available right now. Events/promotional staff/Models required for events. If you have any experience in these areas and wish to earn good rates, please email us with your CV and a photograph ... Currently we have positions to fill for...

Carlsberg UK Ltd
A prize promotion, on packs of Carlsberg, in January 2011, stated “Main Competition 2. There are 14 main prizes to be won in total. One prize will be won every week for the duration of the promotion. Each main prize consists of a 47 inch LG 3D TV, a Sky+HD box, a years subscription to Sky World and Sky+HD, and four pairs of 3D glasses. Everyone who buys a promotional pack will also be eligible to send off for a free pair of Carlsberg pint glasses ... All entries must be received by 7th...

Anette Poths
A website on 25 April 2011, for Anette Poths holistic family care, stated "Reflexology is deeply relaxing, aids elimination of toxins, improves circulation and digestion, increases energy levels and promotes mental and emotional well-being".

RCC 22 juni 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/00436 (Tomtec Android)

Reclamerecht. Uiting op website over Tomtec Android met als omschrijving o.a. "toegang tot Android Market Place met meer dan 130.000 apps!" Klager stelt dat er geen toegang is tot 130.000 apps met dit toestel. Tomtec kan niet gekoppeld worden aan market.android.com welke wel 130.000 apps biedt. Verweerder stelt dat onjuiste informatie van de fabriek is ontvangen. Via upgrade kan nu toegang tot Android Market Place worden verkregen. Verweerder heeft tekst op site aangepast.
Commissie oordeelt dat adverteerder heeft erkend dat in uiting geen juiste informatie wordt verstrekt. Sprake van onjuiste informatie t.a.v. gebruiksmogelijkheden (art. 8.2 aanhef en onder b NRC). Strijd met art. 7 NRC. Doet aanbeveling.

Adverteerder heeft erkend dat in de bestreden uiting, uitgaande van het moment waarop de klacht is ingediend, geen juiste informatie wordt gegeven over de toegang tot Android Market Place met meer dan 130.000 apps. Blijkens het verweer staat op de “7 Inch Tomtec Android 2.2 Media Tablet 4 GB” standaard de market app van de fabrikant, terwijl andere apps van het internet kunnen worden gedownload en op het tablet worden geplaatst.

Blijkens het voorgaande gaat de reclame gepaard met onjuiste informatie ten aanzien van de gebruiksmogelijkheden van het product als bedoeld in artikel 8.2 aanhef en onder b van de Nederlandse Reclame Code (NRC).

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link / pdf)

Regeling: NRC art. 7, art. 8.2 aanhef en onder b

RCC 17 juni 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/00435 (Lycamobile tarief) 

Reclamerecht. Advertentie van Lycamobile in Metro met o.a. de prijzen voor bellen in Nederland en "voor meer informatie en tarieven bezoek lycamobile.nl." Klager stelt dat vermelde prijzen onjuist zijn i.v.m. ontbreken starttarief en onduidelijkheid over incl. of excl. BTW. Ook op genoemde website ontbreekt starttarief. Acht uiting daarom i.s.m. art. 8.2 aanhef en onder d en art. 8.4 aanhef en onder c NRC.
Commissie oordeelt dat de genoemde prijzen in advertentie onjuist zijn nu starttarief ontbreekt. Sprake van onjuiste informatie (art. 8.2 aanhef en onder d NRC). Strijd met art. 7 NRC. Doet aanbeveling. Komt hierdoor niet toe aan beoordeling van evt. overtreding van art. 8.4 aanhef en onder c NRC. Geen aanwijzingen dat art. 38Wet op de omzetbelasting 1968 is overtreden dus tarieven zijn incl. BTW. Geen strijd met NRC. Wijst dit onderdeel af.

In de advertentie wordt de indruk gewekt dat men voor slechts 1 cent per minuut en voor slechts 9 cent per minuut vast respectievelijk mobiel kan bellen. Die indruk acht de Commissie onjuist, nu klager onweersproken heeft meegedeeld dat om te kunnen bellen ook een starttarief van 19 cent moet worden betaald.

Blijkens het voorgaande gaat de reclame gepaard met onjuiste informatie als bedoeld in artikel 8.2 aanhef en onder d (NRC).

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link / pdf)

Regelingen: NRC art. 7, art. 8.2 aanhef en onder d, art. 8.4 aanhef en onder c; Wet op de omzetsbelasting 1968 art. 38

De Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland, de RCC in Ierland, heeft een bundel uitspraken gepubliceerd. Categorieën variëren van telefoonabonnementen, bier, zorgverzekeringen, bookmaker, netwerkaanbieder, resort, pakketdienst, reiki beoefenaar, centrum voor afvallen, auto, online in- en verkoop, tentoonstelling, onderhoud auto, autoverzekering, energieleverancier, auto verkoop.

Zie plaatje hieronder (klik voor vergroting), klik voor de directe site hier

Paddy Power
A leaflet handed out at the Ireland V England rugby match in the Aviva Stadium stated
“Treble The Odds
Open a new phone account. bet €50 and we’ll TREBLE the odds for you! That’s €50 at...

Diageo
An outdoor poster campaign featured a frosted glass of Budweiser Ice Cold beside a frosted Budweiser bar tap. One of the captions stated “Budweiser ICE COLD. THE COLDEST PINT EVER. CHILLED BELOW ZERO.”

VHI Healthcare
The announcer stated the following:
“Vhi Healthcare is still the cheapest for couples and the cheapest for families, which means great quality healthcare at the best prices. As we’re the only not-for-profit health insurer in Ireland, your care is our only priority. Switch to us now on 1850 44 44 44 or compare and save at vhi.ie. Vhi Healthcare. When you need us we’re there.

Harrington Bookmakers
A leaflet for Harrington Bookmakers was headlined “The Punters No.1 Choice Bookmaker”.

Meteor
The poster advertisement featured various android and smart phones. The bottom left of the advertisement included a claim of “99% Population coverage.”

Delphi Mountain Resort
A brochure for Delphi Mountain Resort featured various special offers including “Unforgettable Family Holidays €999 per family” and “Easter Family Fun From only €259”. Both offers were accompanied by a photo of two children wearing life jackets and an adult with no jacket boating in a lake/river scenario.

Vodafone
Press 1.
The advertisement featured an “I love you” sign and stated “Love your smartphone without the long term contract. Switch to Vodafone. Unlimited free Vodafone calls & texts. Switch to Simply Plus from Vodafone. For just €40 a month you get loads of calls & texts to any network, plus lots of data. So now you can love your Smartphone and your network. Offer ends 30th April.”

City Post
The advertisement was set in a board room scenario with staff members in a meeting and one of them, Sean, was presenting to the meeting:

Abby Wynne
The website was for a reiki practitioner and it claimed that reiki “boosts your body’s natural immune system” and “many people have described how Reiki has helped them recover from life threatening illnesses, severe stress, chronic pain and even cancer. Studies have shown that Reiki helps people recover from surgery much faster than people who have not had Reiki.”

Keith Anthony Weight Loss Centres
A poster advertisement featured a client of Keith Anthony Weight Loss Centres and showed a before photograph of the client also alongside the caption “I’ve lost 4 stone 3lbs in 14 weeks.” The headline stated “Strictly no bars, no sachets, no supplements, no gimmicks.” The advertisement provided a web address and further contact details for the weight loss centres.

Renault
The advertisement featured four men whispering the words of the song I love Rock ‘N Roll while driving with a baby in the back seat. They pulled up to the side of the road to drop the baby with the mother and then continued on driving while singing at the top of their voice. It appeared the men were driving to a sporting event.

VHI Healthcare
Radio - VHI Cheapest For Couples & Families
VO: VHI Healthcare is still the cheapest for couples and the cheapest for families which means great quality healthcare at the best prices. As for the only not for profit health insurer in Ireland, your care is our only priority. Switch to us now on 1850 444444 or compare and save at vhi.ie. VHI healthcare, when you need us we’re there. Savings based on VHI one plus plan versus Quinn essential plus excess and Aviva I&We level 2 excess. Terms and conditions apply.

Heineken Ireland
The scene opened with a male passenger in a train compartment with a bottle of Heineken and the train pulling into a station. He placed a beer mat on top of the bottle and headed outside to buy a paper. On his return, he encountered a couple, in what he believed to be his compartment and the woman was sitting sipping a Heineken.

Deal Solo
The radio advertisement featured a female voice over who said “Buying Selling DealSolo.ie”. A child’s voice then said “It’s feckin’ great. The word feckin’ had been partially beeped out.

MCD Promotions
Press
“The Pharaoh has arrived! …. Tutankhamun. His tomb and his treasures. A major exhibition of the international archaeological sensation. The spectacular reconstruction of the pharaoh’s tomb and treasures. RDS, Dublin. Venue box office open daily from 10am – 7pm.”

VHI Healthcare
Press
The headline caption stated “Vhi Healthcare Cheapest for Individuals, Couples and Families.” Below it stated “As we are the only not for profit health insurer in Ireland, your care is our only priority. Compare our prices and then switch to us on 1850 44 44 44 or visit vhi.ie.” A table below compared the Vhi One Plus Plan for Families, Couples and the Vhi One Plan for Individuals with a comparable plan from Aviva and Quinn. It showed that in the examples quoted, VHI was cheaper that its competitors.” The footnote stated “Terms and conditions apply. Savings correct at time of going to print.”

Audi Ireland
A promotion for an Audi Service with Audi South Dublin Service Centre offered “Seasonal service offers from only €119.99. Full Service from only €189.99. Brake fluid change from only €79.99” and “Air Conditioning service from only €99.99.”

No Nonsense Insurance
The advertisement featured three plastic dolls dressed as insurance workers, and they were sitting around the canteen table talking about car insurance:
FVO (Woman): “And he says… is there anything you can do on the price… and I says… of course there is now Michael have you considered the sex change...what says he?...a sex change… says I ... taking a spanner and making a few adjustments because if you’re to come back a woman say in ten years, we’ve great deals for the mature lady driver.”

Airtricity
The advertisement showed various everyday life scenarios that were powered by Airtricity energy. This included imagery of a sports stadium lit up at night, a hospital ward, the luas, a couple out walking late at night under street lighting and a mother and daughter at bedtime.

eircom
TV
The television advertisement featured babushka dolls and the voice over stated the following:
“There is something very different about the eircom bundle. You still get up to 8mb next generation broadband, you still get unlimited local and national calls and you still get 30 minutes to any mobile network. The only difference is the new small price just €39.99 a month. To switch today call 1800 350 303 or visit eircom.net”

Car Buyers Guide
An advertisement for the Car Buyers Guide featured a couple who were selling their car on the advertisers’ website. The advertisement began with the girl in hot pants and cropped top draped over a car using the automatic feature on a camera to take pictures of herself. Next she was shown uploading the photographs to the advertisers’ website and explaining to her partner that she took some photographs of his car and uploaded them to sell the car. When showing him the photographs she said “I reckon these might sell it.”

RCC 19 mei 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/00283 (The Phone House)

Reclamerecht. Folder van adverteerder waarin de Sony Ericsson Yendo Prepaid wordt aangeboden. Klaagster stelt dat haar verschillende keren is medegedeeld dat telefoon niet Prepaid te koop is. Acht uiting daarom misleidend. Klacht is gemotiveerd weersproken.
Commissie oordeelt dat er sprake is van onjuiste informatie t.a.v. de beschikbaarheid (art. 8.2 onder b NRC) nu telefoon niet in winkels van adverteerder verkocht wordt. Door adverteerder aangevoerde omstandigheden leiden niet tot ander oordeel, want deze komen voor risico van adverteerder. Strijd met art. 7 NRC. Doet aanbeveling.

Naar door adverteerder is erkend, werd de bewuste, in de folder aangeboden telefoon niet verkocht in de winkels van adverteerder.

Naar het oordeel van de Commissie gaat de reclame-uiting aldus gepaard met onjuiste informatie ten aanzien van één van de voornaamste kenmerken van het product als bedoeld onder b van artikel 8.2 NRC, te weten de beschikbaarheid.

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link/ pdf)

Regeling: NRC art. 7, art. 8.2 onder b

Lees eerdere uitspraak over The Phone House hier: RB 718

RCC 19 mei 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/00276 (GSM Topdeal)

Reclamerecht. Aanbieding in ANWB Kampioen: gratis Samsung en 2 jaar 50% korting. Klager acht tekst "gratis navigatie" in uiting misleidend, want downloaden daarvan heeft hem veel geld gekost. Verweerder stelt dat klager niet voor internetbundel heeft gekozen en daarom per MB betaald. Als hij internetbundel wel had gehad, dan kon hij gebruik maken van onbeperkt internet en dus ook gratis gebruik van Google Maps navigatie. Verweerder vindt uiting niet misleidend.

Commissie oordeelt dat uiting indruk wekt dat ongeacht welk abonnement men afsluit, gratis navigatie bij telefoon is inbegrepen. Nu gratis navigatie alleen geldt als men internetbundel afsluit, is er sprake van onjuiste informatie (art. 8.2 aanhef en onder b NRC). Oordeelt uiting in strijd met art. 7 NRC en doet aanbeveling.

In de uiting staat, in een kader, geplaatst over een afbeelding van de telefoon, de tekst ‘Gratis navigatie’. Voorts worden prijzen getoond van verschillende soorten abonnementen, met dan wel zonder internetbundel.

Aldus wordt naar het oordeel van de Commissie de indruk gewekt dat, ongeacht het abonnement dat men afsluit, bij de telefoon gratis navigatie is inbegrepen. Gebleken is echter dat de navigatie uitsluitend gratis is indien men bij het abonnement een internetbundel heeft afgesloten.

Gelet op het voorgaande is de Commissie van oordeel dat de reclame gepaard gaat met onjuiste informatie ten aanzien van de voornaamste kenmerken van het product zoals bedoeld in artikel 8.2 aanhef en onder b van de Nederlandse Reclame Code (NRC), te weten de voordelen. Voorts is de Commissie van oordeel dat de gemiddelde consu­ment door de reclame ge­bracht zou kunnen worden een besluit over een transactie te ne­men, dat hij anders niet zou hebben genomen. Aldus is sprake van misleidende en daar­door oneerlijke reclame in de zin van artikel 7 NRC.

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link en pdf)
Regeling: NRC art. 7, art. 8.2 aanhef en onder b

RCC 13 april 2011, Dossiernr. 2011/00232

Reclamerecht. Internetbanner met Tele2 mobiel aanbieding: 300 minuten voor 12,50 per maand. Klager stelt dat deze aanbieding geldt voor tweejarig abonnement, waarbij het actietarief alleen voor het eerste jaar geldt en het tweede jaar 27,50 per maand moet worden betaald. Verweerder stelt dat banner te weinig ruimte biedt voor alle voorwaarden, daarom wordt verwezen naar website waarop alle essentiële informatie staat.

Commissie oordeelt dat er sprake is van onjuiste informatie (art. 8.3 onder c NRC) omdat essentiële informatie over de maandelijkse kosten op de banner ontbreekt. Acht de uiting in strijd met art. 7 NRC.

Op deze banner worden 300 belminuten voor € 12,50 per maand bij een gratis Samsung Galaxy S telefoon aangeboden. Vast staat dat de aanbieding betrekking heeft op een tweejarig mobiel abonnement, waarvan de maandelijkse kosten alleen gedurende het eerste jaar € 12,50 bedragen en gedurende het tweede jaar € 27,50. Naar het oordeel van de Commissie moeten de maandelijkse kosten gedurende de gehele looptijd van het tweejarige abonnement worden beschouwd als een van de kernvoorwaarden van het abonnement, die reeds in de banner zelf vermeld hadden dienen te worden. De Commissie volgt adverteerder niet in diens stelling dat de banner als medium daartoe te beperkte ruimte biedt. Dat de informatie is op te vragen via de in de banner opgenomen link naar de website van Tele2 neemt niet weg, dat adverteerder blijkens het voorgaande te laat essentiële informatie heeft verstrekt die de gemiddelde consument nodig heeft om een geïnformeerd besluit over een transactie te nemen als bedoeld in artikel 8.3 onder c van de Nederlandse Reclame Code (NRC). De Commissie is voorts van oordeel dat de bestreden uiting de gemiddelde consument ertoe kan brengen een besluit over een transactie te nemen dat hij anders niet zou hebben genomen. Om die reden is de uiting misleidend en daardoor oneerlijk in de zin van artikel 7 NRC.

Lees de gehele uitspraak hier (link en pdf)
Regeling: NRC art. 7 en art. 8.3 onder c