I am pleased to say that Sit-Up have been (hopefully) honest and admitted their big mistake with this sale. I have therefore agreed with the ASA to resolve this matter informally.
We thought you made a valid point, and, with a view to acting quickly, we contacted the advertiser to speak to them about making changes. I’m pleased to advise that Bid TV have acknowledged that they made an error on this occasion. They have advised that incorrect stock information was unintentionally communicated to the presenter, and that this was not noticed at the time and therefore not corrected. Bid TV have confirmed that they will be taking appropriate measures to ensure that this error does not reoccur as requested. Bid TV have also offered their assurance that they will ensure that correct stock levels are communicated to viewers in future broadcasts.
Given this, we will now close our files on this basis. Basic information including the company name, the industry sector and the medium in which the ad appeared will appear on our website, www.asa.org.uk, on 14 August 2013 in a list with other advertisers that have co-operated in resolving complaints.
Maybe we should all pay close attention to when they make similar statements about end of stock (remember, they said the 36 they had left were the last when in fact they clearly had hundreds in stock, some big mistake there!) and i'm afraid that this is far from the first time it has happened. It was merely the first time I have done something about it and Sit-Up should be aware that I only posted publicly about this sale because I didn't want anyone getting pressured and there was a chance it could have been a mistake.
As they have now confirmed it won't happen again they should be aware that no such notice will be given before a complaint along these lines is made in future.
We thought you made a valid point, and, with a view to acting quickly, we contacted the advertiser to speak to them about making changes. I’m pleased to advise that Bid TV have acknowledged that they made an error on this occasion. They have advised that incorrect stock information was unintentionally communicated to the presenter, and that this was not noticed at the time and therefore not corrected. Bid TV have confirmed that they will be taking appropriate measures to ensure that this error does not reoccur as requested. Bid TV have also offered their assurance that they will ensure that correct stock levels are communicated to viewers in future broadcasts.
Given this, we will now close our files on this basis. Basic information including the company name, the industry sector and the medium in which the ad appeared will appear on our website, www.asa.org.uk, on 14 August 2013 in a list with other advertisers that have co-operated in resolving complaints.
Maybe we should all pay close attention to when they make similar statements about end of stock (remember, they said the 36 they had left were the last when in fact they clearly had hundreds in stock, some big mistake there!) and i'm afraid that this is far from the first time it has happened. It was merely the first time I have done something about it and Sit-Up should be aware that I only posted publicly about this sale because I didn't want anyone getting pressured and there was a chance it could have been a mistake.
As they have now confirmed it won't happen again they should be aware that no such notice will be given before a complaint along these lines is made in future.
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