ASA rulling on 8ta TV commercial promoting an 8ta “more” prepaid offer


Mr von Wielligh lodged a consumer complaint against an 8ta television commercial promoting an 8ta “more” prepaid offer. The commercial was flighted on SABC2.

8ta was running an airtime promotion along side 8ta more. For every R5 or more recharge amount, 8ta throws 100% the airtime value. That means, if you recharge with R50 8ta will give you another R50 free airtime and you will have a balance of R100 airtime

The complainant submitted, in essence, that the commercial is misleading as the actual tariff is 1.95 per minute, but a person who purchases air-time for R5 or more will be awarded double his purchased amount in air-time. The complainant also took issue with the fact that one only has seven days in which to use the extra air-time, after which it will be forfeited.

ASA DIRECTORATE RULING


ASA has discretion to decide whether or not an unequivocal undertaking to remove or amend the advertising complained of is an adequate resolution to the matter. The respondent’s undertaking appears to address the complainants’ concerns and there is therefore no need for the Directorate to consider the merits of the matter at this time. The undertaking is accepted on condition that the commercial in question is not used again in future in its current format in future.

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