Eircoms latest radio advert

Pimp Ninja

More lies from Eircoms advertisments. You'd think that with the constant complaints that they get from their false advertisements, that somebody would actually do something about it. I'm ver surprised that this hasnt been posted here yet.
I've heard this on FM104 numerous times over the last week.

By Lying Eircom Advert
You can surf for as long as you like, for a fixed monthly fee

Obviously with their limit on amount of downloaded data per month this is a blatant lie.

Dawg

Similarly the ad currently running on TV states "Unlimited net access" when clearly a capped service is not unlimited.

Eircom will never change their ways, risking a slap across the knuckles from ComReg in order to grab as many BB early signups as possible is a risk their willing to take.

All we can do is educate as many people as possible through word of mouth that they should never, ever sign up to an Eircom contract when there are much better options (albeit less advertised) available.

El_MUERkO

They'll probably point out thet you could stay connected for the whole month without hitting the cap assuming you lapsed into a coma somewhere around the 23rd of the month.

Mr E

"Surf as long as you like" is probably OK (would the whole cap be used just browsing?)

"Download as much as you want" would warrant a complaint.

- Dave.

carbsy

Originally posted by El_MUERkO
They'll probably point out thet you could stay connected for the whole month without hitting the cap assuming you lapsed into a coma somewhere around the 23rd of the month.

3rd of the month morelike

dahamsta

"Surf as long as you like" is probably OK (would the whole cap be used just browsing?)

It's not ok, and yes, it could be. You could probably hit the limit surfing the Apple trailer centre in one day, for example. "As long as you like" implies unlimited, Eircom should be given no leeway with their lies.

Pimp Ninja, have you complained to the ASAI about this? I'm kinda bored of complaints about Eircom to be honest, I prefer to hear success stories these days.

adam

Dustaz

This IS a breach of advertising code.


I encourage everyone to visit www.asai.ie and register a complaint.

This is not the first time its happened and for the most part the ASAI uphold the complaints.

Pimp Ninja

Adam

No I have not complained to the asai about this. I'd sort of assumed that somebody here would have already taken up the gauntlet. Since this is Eircom I'd have no problem about it. Where do I start?

Pimp Ninja

Who is the advertiser ?
Eircom
What product or service is being advertised ?
Eircom Broadband
Media in which the advertisement appeared
radio
Where did you see/hear the advertisement?
I have heard this advertisement on FM104 several times over the last few days.
When did you see/hear the advertisement ?
Today 30th April 2003 and have been hearing it for approximately one week on the same radio channel.
Your complaint
I consider this advertisement to be false and misleading. The advertisement states, and I quote, "You can surf for as long as you like, for a fixed monthly fee." However the truth is that you are onlo allowed to download a fixed amount of data each month. Once you go over this abount of data then you are charged a high (in my opinion rediculous) amount per unit.

p2p

I was just about to post on this myself

Eircom Ad Copy

Start a major revolution for your business.
Use small change

We have extended our i-stream broadband range, so you can now get all the benifits of broadband from less than €150 a day.
Eircom i-stream gives you access to the Internet at speeds up to 30 times faster than a standard telephone line so you can download 2Mb files in seconds. It's always on, so e-mail is as instant as a conversation. And because you pay a flat monthly fee for time online , you have greater control of your costs. Our network now extends to 700,000 i-stream broadband lines and we're on target to have 1 million lies available nationally by the end of 2003.

Start a major revolution for your business by contacting your eircom account manager, calling freephon 1800 512 128, lines are open 9am-9pm Mon to Fri, or visiting www.eircom.ie/business.

Small Print
eircom i-stream is being rolled out on a phased basis. It is possible that customers in enabled exchange areas may not be able to get eircom i-stream. For this reason, every query will be individually assessed and tested for suitability. Prices quoted exclude VAT.

Not one place did this mention a cap or indeed a charge for going over the cap OR any that it was subject to any extra terms and conditions.

I think a complaint will be winging its way to the ASAI

dahamsta

No I have not complained to the asai about this. I'd sort of assumed that somebody here would have already taken up the gauntlet. Since this is Eircom I'd have no problem about it. Where do I start?

I've never done it meself now - I don't really pay attention to advertising to be honest - but there are some world-class professional complainers here on the IO board, more power to 'em. Doubtless someone will come along and lead you through it, but you can get started by visiting the ASAI site Dustaz linked above. And make sure you let us know how you get on.

Dusty, we should have an index of successful complaints.

adam

Raskolnikov

Score, I filled out the form, even if Eircom only lose a few cents out of this it's time well spent.

Raskolnikov

I've just seen a loophole that Eircon can use. The advertisement has not referred to cost for downloading files or graphics, they explicitly refer to time spent on line. This means that one paid a flat monthly fee and can spend as long as one likes on line.

bk

Originally posted by Raskolnikov
I've just seen a loophole that Eircon can use. The advertisement has not referred to cost for downloading files or graphics, they explicitly refer to time spent on line. This means that one paid a flat monthly fee and can spend as long as one likes on line.

I don't believe this would make a difference, the ASA seem to take into account the overall message of the ad and how the consumer is likely to interpret the ad.

While the wording might be legally sound, the consumer is lead to believe that there are no extra costs, the ASA will come done on this like a ton of bricks.

BTW I agree we should keep a record of all the complaints we have made against Eircom so far and the ones we have one. (Aren't something like 50% of all upheld complaints made to the ASA relate to Eircom). This would make great info for some reporter out there.

hmmm

Isn't this ad *directly* in breach of this ?

http://www.asai.ie/newsletter/detail.tmpl?SKU=20020903160526

shaolinsu

They seem to be blanket advertising the media at the moment. I would like to think that by dragging their heels they have missed the broadband bandwagon but it looks like there superior spending power will win them much public support.

Stephen

I've submitted a complaint to the ASAI about their TV ads already

tekkit eircom

Dar

I've just seen a loophole that Eircon can use. The advertisement has not referred to cost for downloading files or graphics, they explicitly refer to time spent on line. This means that one paid a flat monthly fee and can spend as long as one likes on line.

The add states that "you can surf as long as you want". Surf suggests active use of the service. Active use of service = downloading data = extra charge if you go over allowance.

Loophole my bum