Category Archives: Price Advertising

December 3, 2013

New Publications: Canadian ASC Issues New Consumer Advertising Report

Canada’s national not-for-profit advertising self-regulatory body Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) has released a new report on Canadian consumers’ views on advertising, entitled 2013 Consumer Perspectives on Advertising. Top of the list of advertising annoyances for Canadian consumers?: misleading advertising (significantly more than other issues, such … Read the rest of this entry »

September 16, 2013

Beware “Buy Now, Pay Later Ads”

By Daniel Workman (reprinted with permission from CreditCards.com). Many consumers are enticed when they see advertisements touting  “Pay absolutely nothing upfront” or “Don’t pay a cent for 18 months” deals.  These deferred payment options are a form of financing where consumers often get tagged with … Read the rest of this entry »

June 3, 2013

CRTC Issues New Wireless Code After Long Last: Reflects a Compilation of Consumer Wireless Woes

Well, after months of consultation and debate, and a seemingly ever rising swell of commentary and consumer gnashing of teeth about the poor quality of Canadian wireless services (and anticipated demise of Canada’s new wireless entrants), the CRTC today announced at long last its wireless … Read the rest of this entry »

May 24, 2013

New Zealand Court Brings the Gavel Down on Car Company in “Shill Bidding” Advertising Case

The potential routes to deception are many.  In misleading advertising cases, commonly challenged conduct includes false price, performance and other product claims (e.g., omitting key limitations or conditions on products or services).  Some of the advertising practices that are regulated or prohibited in Canada include … Read the rest of this entry »

April 30, 2013

Ontario Government Introduces New Wireless Consumer Protection Legislation

As previously announced, the Ontario Government has now introduced for first reading new proposed legislation for wireless contracts and services in Ontario (Bill 60 – An Act to strengthen consumer protection with respect to consumer agreements relating to wireless services accessed from a cellular phone, … Read the rest of this entry »

April 23, 2013

Alberta Pharmacists Debate Proposed Loyalty Marketing Restrictions

There has been quite a bit of debate recently in Canada about the pros and cons of regulation.  Some of the highlights of this debate have included announcements by the Competition Bureau that it is stepping up its advocacy efforts in certain regulated sectors (e.g., … Read the rest of this entry »

March 12, 2013

Fraud: Competition Bureau Announces Top 2 “2 Good 2 B True Day” Scams: Highlights False Online Testimonials & Mobile “Subscription Traps”

Earlier today, as part of its Fraud Prevention Month efforts in March, the Competition Bureau announced its Top 2 on “2 Good 2 B True Day” scams: false online testimonials; and mobile “subscription traps”. With respect to false testimonials, the Bureau highlighted concerns with testimonials … Read the rest of this entry »

February 10, 2013

Competition Bureau’s Wireless Code Submission – Bureau Advocates for Limited Term Contracts, No Handset Locking and Clear Disclosure of Fees and Plan Limitations

On February 6, 2013, the Competition Bureau released its submission responding to the CRTC’s Wireless Code Working Document issued on January 28th.  In its submission, the Bureau takes issue with two main aspects of the CRTC’s proposed approach to a new wireless code: potential switching … Read the rest of this entry »