Victoria Plum has advert banned by ASA

It's been announced that another online promotion by Victoria Plum, the Hull-based bathroom retailer has been censored by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following a challenge by Victorian Plumbing.

The online promotional activity, seen on 9th December 2015, included an Arc Basin and Pedestal for £89.99 with an asterisked price of £194.99 crossed out.

The asterisk linked to text at the bottom of the web-page which said "When purchased separately", while additional text stated "Includes Click Clack Basin Waste - Slotted". Text under a "COMES WITH" tab said that the basin and pedestal and the basin waste unit were £179 and £15.99 respectively if sold separately.

Victorian Plumbing challenged whether the specific products were actually available to purchase separately and if the savings claim was misleading. Victoria Plum said the products had always been available to purchase separately on its website, but that the offer was made up of two products (the basin and pedestal, plus the waste unit) that customers had often purchased together. 

They added that the two products had been available to purchase separately on their website for the duration of the promotional offer for a total price of £194.99. Sales and pricing data was supplied from Victoria Plum for the period 18th August to 9th December 2015.

The ASA concluded that the savings claim was misleading after looking at the relative lengths of time for which the different prices had applied, and the number of units sold at each price before the promotion started. It concluded that Victoria Plum had not demonstrated that the crossed-through £194.99 price, was the usual selling price for the products when purchased individually.

As a result, the advert must not be shown again in its current form.

Source: Insight DIY Team