| Bulletin | 09/6 |
| Batch No. | 189 |
| Ref | 12567 |
| Product | Travel/Holidays |
| Advertiser | USIT |
| Agency | |
| Medium | Outdoor |
| Complaint Advertisement: The Luas column poster stated “Return Ex Dublin. Australia 2 Fly for the price of 1. Fr €999 including taxes. Open to ages 18 - 80+. Call 01 602 1911 or visit www.usit.ie.” Complaint: The complainant challenged the validity of the offer to fly 2 for 1 to Australia for €999. When she made enquiries with the advertisers, she said that she was told that she would have to pay for compulsory insurance and an over night stay in Hong Kong. The final price she was quoted was €1400 and she said that she was told that the extras were compulsory. The complainant considered the offer misleading since the price as advertised was not available. |
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| 2006 Code | |
| 2002 Code |
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| Response The advertisers stated that the price was advertised as “from €999” and explained that this price was subject to terms and conditions. They said that the specific term of compulsory insurance and overnight accommodation was clearly outlined. They said that availability was a standard term and condition of travel and therefore they concluded that the advertisement was not misleading. Further Information: The Secretariat then requested that the advertisers send a full copy of the details concerning the insurance and accommodation and also pointed out that the advertisement had not stated that “Terms and Conditions” applied. The advertisers reiterated that the advertisement outlined that terms and conditions applied to the offer. They did not send details of the insurance or accommodation or the advertisement as requested. |
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| Conclusion Complaint Upheld. The Complaints Committee considered the detail of the complaint and the advertisers’ response. The Complaints Committee noted that the advertisers claimed that terms and conditions applied to the offer as advertised. They also noted, however, that the advertisement provided by the complainant contained no reference to “Terms and Conditions” and furthermore no specific reference to compulsory insurance or accommodation. On this basis they considered that the price shown did not match the product on offer and was in contravention of the Code. Action Required: The advertisement must not reappear in its current format. |
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