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Bulletin: 14/7
Batch: 224
Reference: 22758
Product: Leisure (Sports Activities)
Advertiser: The Football Association of Ireland (FAI)
Influencer:
Agency:
Medium: Online
Codes:ASAI Code 6th Edition: 2.22, 2.24
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) offered information on their website in relation to their season ticket package, including "Season Ticket Benefits" one of which was:
"Promotions 15% Discount on FAI online store."The complainant said that the discount was not available when he checked and he was advised that the FAI were in the process of implementing it. He was also told it would not apply to sale items. He found the advertising to be misleading.
The advertisers said that having investigated the complaint there appeared to have been a mix up between themselves and their service provider with responsibility for running their on-line shop. This resulted in the complainant not being able to avail of the 15% discount, which as a season ticket holder he would have been entitled to. They had their website amended to reflect the fact that 15% discount would not be available until a later date (4th July). The advertisers provided the Authority with the proposed amended advertising and said that in the meantime they would be happy to offer the complainant the 15% discount as advertised, should he wish to contact them.
They subsequently made a further amendment to the presentation of the terms and conditions in order to make them more prominent and accessible.
Complaint Upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the detail of the complaint and the advertisers’ response, together with the further comments submitted by the advertisers. They noted that the terms and conditions in relation to the benefits of obtaining a season ticket were now easily accessible to those using the website. They expressed their concern, however, that the advertisers had originally offered a discount to season ticket holders, which at the time of publication was not available to them. In the circumstances they considered that the advertising had breached Sections 2.22 and 2.24 of the Code.
Action Required:
As the advertising had been amended no further action was required in the matter.