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Complaint:
Objection, via the Office of Fair Trading, to a direct mailing that included a letter, headlined " DIRECT HOME MAILING", that claimed " How would you like a second income earning up to £260+ weekly simply by checking and filling envelopes and then returning them for payment?
Owing to our continued expansion programme we urgently require people who are willing to work from home and become part of our successful mailing association...We will explain how to start and continue day after day with simple step by step instructions, this programme does not involve handling orders...you will not be required to buy any postage stamps for mailing... APPLY NOW Our agents starter pack can now be had for a one-time refundable ...£14.00. Registration fee. This will enable us to set up your home account and send you your HOME MAILERS STARTER PACK". The starter pack stated "REMEMBER: You have the right to sell the plan to others. You have paid £14.00 for your registration and are consequently entitled to reproduce all material received from us. The difference between our company and most other envelope stuffing companies, who charge £20+ and reserve all copyrights... HOW MUCH MONEY CAN BE MADE WEEKLY? Well if you run one weekly advert in a national magazine it should draw on average, between 600 and 1000 responses. At least 40% will buy the plan, Thus generating £2000 to £3600. If you aim lower, if you were to draw only 5%, this will generate £270 to £450 per week ". 1. The complainants challenged whether the advertised work was available. 2. The Authority challenged the earnings claims. Codes Section: 2.6, 54.4 (Ed 9)
Adjudication:
Complaint upheld
The advertisers did not respond to the Authority's enquiries. The Authority was concerned by their lack of co-operation, which it considered a breach of the Codes. The Authority told the advertisers to withdraw the claims immediately and to consult the Committee of Advertising Practice Copy Advice team before they advertised again. The Authority asked the Committee of Advertising Practice to advise its media members of the problem with the advertisers. |
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