Misleading Ads?

JamesSeed

Has anybody else noticed an increase in the plethora of misleading ads appearing online? (And I’m not talking about ads for season tickets lol).

I know they’ve been around for some time, but there’s seems to be more and more of them in the last few years. I’ve stupidly bought a couple of products recently online that totally failed to deliver what was promised (not Viagra related, honest - just DIY items!) 

Does anyone think that this device could possibly improve your fuel efficiency by 55% for example? I know there’s an element of buyer beware, but have advertising rules been relaxed or something? And why the photo of someone pouring Fanta into their fuel tank ffs?

‘The manufacturer is working hard to keep it online right now, but we’re unsure how long that will last. While the chip isn’t outright banned, we don’t know how long it will stay available online. The good news is that it’s still for sale now, and you can get it at a discount!

People Are Spreading The Hype on Social Media.’

Of course, when you click on the ad it has nothing to do with Fanta, but it promotes this device that plugs in to the diagnostic port in your car. I’m pretty sure if it really worked we’d have heard all about it by now. Sadly, I suspect it’s just another con. 

I guess the Advertising Standards Authority is still around. Might even get on the case. 

Lincsaddick

All ads are misleading to some extent .. BUT, advertisers must not be too extravagant with their claims and promises  .. very old case but still quoted today

Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co (lawteacher.net)

CarltonAthleticDance

I’ve been using Fanta for a couple of years now, or more specifically, Diet Fanta (lower emissions).  I also find adding a couple of Duracell AA batteries to the tank really boosts the mild hybrid capability.

DaveMehmet

CarltonAthleticDance said:

I’ve been using Fanta for a couple of years now, or more specifically, Diet Fanta (lower emissions).  I also find adding a couple of Duracell AA batteries to the tank really boosts the mild hybrid capability.

Same here, not done my car any harm

killerandflash

CarltonAthleticDance said:

I’ve been using Fanta for a couple of years now, or more specifically, Diet Fanta (lower emissions).  I also find adding a couple of Duracell AA batteries to the tank really boosts the mild hybrid capability.

Well they do use coke to make steel...

Covered End

I tried stuffing a couple of high energy bars in the fuel tank, but they didn't work either.

eaststandmike

The reason there is an increase is so it can keep up with the brain dead morons on social media. There are people out there that believe everything they read and see.

JamesSeed

eaststandmike said:

The reason there is an increase is so it can keep up with the brain dead morons on social media. There are people out there that believe everything they read and see.

Thanks! 

But even brain dead morons need protection lol. 

RodneyCharltonTrotta

Been using penis enlargement products past few years after "guaranteed success" adverts.  But none of them have worked as advertised as it's still only 9 inches ;-(

cafcfan

DaveMehmet said:

CarltonAthleticDance said:

I’ve been using Fanta for a couple of years now, or more specifically, Diet Fanta (lower emissions).  I also find adding a couple of Duracell AA batteries to the tank really boosts the mild hybrid capability.

Same here, not done my car any harm

This made me laugh.

Many years ago in Italy I managed to thumb a lift from a giant coke bottle. It had a door in the side but no seats. You just rolled around. Not the most comfortable journey ever.

ElliotCAFC

If it need’s to be advertised, you don’t need it.

Callumcafc

https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint.html

Hal1x

ElliotCAFC said:

If it need’s to be advertised, you don’t need it.

.

Hal1x

ElliotCAFC said:
If it needs's to be advertised, you don't need it.

ElliotCAFC said:

If it need’s to be advertised, you don’t need it..

A load of adverts are totally pointless unless you need it, an example I recently came out with some eszcma breakouts, suddenly on comes an advert for a Doublebase breakout cream and Im off down the chemists to buy a product I didnt know existed. However since Ive retired I now have the pleasure of watching afternoon tv adverts a revolving hell of Funeral Plans/Charity adverts/ and bingo/betting.

Chunes

Hal1x said:

ElliotCAFC said:
If it needs's to be advertised, you don't need it.

ElliotCAFC said:

If it need’s to be advertised, you don’t need it..

A load of adverts are totally pointless unless you need it, an example I recently came out with some eszcma breakouts, suddenly on comes an advert for a Doublebase breakout cream and Im off down the chemists to buy a product I didnt know existed. However since Ive retired I now have the pleasure of watching afternoon tv adverts a revolving hell of Funeral Plans/Charity adverts/ and bingo/betting.

I work in advertising and it's really about building recognition. 99.9% of people watching a car insurance ad probably aren't looking for car insurance, but one day they likely will be, and they're far more likely to choose a company that has built familiarity over one they've not heard of.

Perhaps car insurance is a bad example. I'd probably just choose the cheapest one. But you get what I mean! 

As for the topic, these ads are likely Google Display Network ads. They're so easy to set up that anyone can do it and that leads to a lot of crap. 

Google does have 'policies' on misrepresentation but you can judge for yourself how well they're enforced. I doubt the ASA would be interested in chasing down these things, there are thousands and they're probably run anonymously from overseas.

Hal1x

Advertising certainly worked for MESH/REDBUS/ The Woolwich/ LLanera/FADS.

Huskaris

Hal1x said:

Advertising certainly worked for MESH/REDBUS/ The Woolwich/ LLanera/FADS.

We Charltonised them

man_at_milletts

RodneyCharltonTrotta said:

Been using penis enlargement products past few years after "guaranteed success" adverts.  But none of them have worked as advertised as it's still only 9 inches ;-(

I use one of these.

iaitch

Did it come with the warning 'do not use in direct sunlight'?

cafcfan

man_at_milletts said:

RodneyCharltonTrotta said:

Been using penis enlargement products past few years after "guaranteed success" adverts.  But none of them have worked as advertised as it's still only 9 inches ;-(

I use one of these.

In combination with a pair of these?

johnny73

Lincsaddick said:

All ads are misleading to some extent .. BUT, advertisers must not be too extravagant with their claims and promises  .. very old case but still quoted today

Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co (lawteacher.net)

Brings back memories. That was a sample case on A Level Law 30+ years ago.

AFKABartram

Nothing will beat the ice pants :-) 

JamesSeed

After the Fanta, the dishwasher tab! 😂

MuttleyCAFC

JamesSeed said:

After the Fanta, the dishwasher tab! 😂

That would surely lower fuel consumption by 100%.

SporadicAddick

Lincsaddick said:

All ads are misleading to some extent .. BUT, advertisers must not be too extravagant with their claims and promises  .. very old case but still quoted today

Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co (lawteacher.net)

Ads by law can't be misleading so not sure that all are to some extent.

They might tap into an unknown need, but that isn't misleading.

CarltonAthleticDance

MuttleyCAFC said:

JamesSeed said:

After the Fanta, the dishwasher tab! 😂

That would surely lower fuel consumption by 100%.

So does urine. First hand experience when I was at school. Pi$$ed in a mates petrol tank. Car never went again.

JamesSeed

Classic. 

seth plum

One simple trick to reduce car consumption by 55% is to drive 55% less.
(I’m building brand recognition for Seth’s Tips, which are fungicide token friendly).