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Bulletin: 14/5
Batch: 222
Reference: 22245
Product: Computers (Computer Accessories)
Advertiser: AC Computer Solutions
Agency:
Medium: Online - Company Website
ASAI Code 6th Edition: 2.7, 2.22, 2.24
Advertising by AC Computer Solutions on www.originalchargers.ie referred to the following:
“ORIGINAL NOT COMPATIBLE
WE ONLY SELL ORIGINAL LAPTOP CHARGERS
Original chargers preserve the laptop battery life and are heat resistant.
Our price includes:
Original charger. Long power lead. Courier & VAT. No hidden extras.
90% of our original charges are €39 Inc. delivery.”The advertisers then listed and provided pictures of the various chargers they had in stock. Underneath this they offered the following information:
“We are not authorised resellers, and do not sell genuine branded trademarked chargers from any of the above manufacturers.”
The complainant challenged the claim that the chargers were original laptop chargers as it was directly contradicted by the statement that the advertisers were “not authorised sellers, and do not sell genuine branded trademarked chargers”.
The advertisers said that they had replaced the word ‘original’ with the word ‘real’ on their website. They said that the chargers which they sold were genuine but as they were not authorised sellers they were unable to state this in their advertising.
Further Information:
The ASAI Secretariat then asked the advertisers to confirm that the chargers they were selling were manufactured by the companies referred to in their advertising.The advertisers failed to respond to the Secretariat’s further query.
Complaint Upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the detail of the complaint and the advertiser’s response. They expressed concern that the advertisers had not responded fully. The Committee considered that the advertisers had not demonstrated that the laptop chargers were ‘original’ or that they had been manufactured by the companies mentioned in their advertising. The Committee considered that the advertising had breached sections 2.22 and 2.24 of the Code.”
Action Required:
The advertisement must not run in its current form again. Unless the advertisers are able to demonstrate that the chargers are manufactured by the companies referenced, they should not state or imply that they were.