Advertisment
The advertisement on the advertisers’ website referred to the following:
“GHD Styler V Gold
€79*
VATFree.ie price
Competitors Price
€120
To buy this product at this price, visit Hairspray Ballymount Store in Dublin. Terms and conditions of sale apply…”
Complaint
The complainant said that she visited the premises referenced in the advertisement in November 2015 to purchase the product but it was no longer in stock.
Response
The advertisers said that on receipt of the complaint they forwarded the matter to their IT Department to have the link to the product removed.
Conclusion
Complaint Upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the details of the complaint and the advertisers’ response. The Committee noted that the complainant had wished to purchase the GHD in November 2015 and it was only when the matter was brought to the attention of the advertisers in January 2016 that the item was removed from their website. The Committee reminded the advertisers that there was an onus on them to have items that were no longer in stock removed from their marketing communications in a timely fashion. Because of the timeframe involved in the advertisers removing the product from their website, the Complaints Committee upheld the compliant under Sections 2.22, 2.24, 2.45 and 2.46 (a) and (b).
Action Required:
The advertisers should exercise greater care in removing products from their website that are no longer in stock.
