Name And Shame! Which?

pmd

Had a reply today from ASA:

"Since our last letter, we have received Which's asurance that they have amended the layout and content of the envelope to prevent the envelope misleadingly exaggerating the importance of the mateials enclosed. Because we note that layout will not be used again, and Which? have shown us an amended version that we consider is in line with the CAP Code, we will not draft a recommendation to send to the ASA Council , as we can close the case informally".

They say Which will be named on their web site on 8 June "in a list with other advertisers that have cooperated in resolving complaints".

Let's keep on at this: battle against the "Urgent time-limited bar-coded special despatch" envelopes which can cause stress to the less aware recipients.

Cheers,

Pam

pmd wrote:

Another MSE-er mentioned complaining to ASA about misleading "Urgent" envelopes. My copy of the Which "Data tracking" envelope, larded with bar-coded pseudo-urgency, has just arrived. I've filled in the ASA's online complaint form and am about to post it all to them. (Well, not quite all ... I'm entering the draw, on the basis that someone has to win it!)

(Mind you, I also complained about their web form: it allows you to input up to 1500 characters, but only provides a view of 2 lines at a time so it's quite difficult to see what you're typing!)

Wig

pmd,

sorry not exactly with you here. The ASA has all ready agreed with Which? not to use a particular type of envelope. Are you complaining about a new type of envelope? if not what is the point of complaining about something which has all ready been resolved?

P.s. write your complaint in word and then copy and paste it into the box (not sure if I said that earlier or not.)

pmd

Wig,

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. I was sharing what I think is a satisfactory response from the ASA: that in response to my earlier complaint they've told Which to change their ways and stop using the pseudo-bar-coded "Urgent and important" format. I'm pleased. But I also suggested that MSE-ers should complain to the ASA if in future they think a junk-mailer is using inappropriate packaging to make their junk look urgent or important.

And yes, it would have been a good idea to write the text of my complain in Word (or even in text in Notepad) and paste it into their tiny little text input box - and that way I'd have kept a copy of it, too. Will try to remember, next time I'm faced with a similar situation.

Cheers

Pam

Wig wrote:

pmd,

sorry not exactly with you here. The ASA has all ready agreed with Which? not to use a particular type of envelope. Are you complaining about a new type of envelope? if not what is the point of complaining about something which has all ready been resolved?

P.s. write your complaint in word and then copy and paste it into the box (not sure if I said that earlier or not.)

Debt_Free_Chick

I really don't see the problem. Lots of charities use prize draws and other ways of making money. Surely, if you don't want this stuff, then bin it. Or sign up to MPS if it's direct mailing.

We need more savvy MSEers and not the kind of nannying which controls what we get and what we do with it.

have I missed something?

VickyA_2

Slightly different point to do with Which? My grandad (90 this year) has subscribed to Which? for a good few years - he reckons it's 60, and whilst he's got most of his marbles, he is prone to spin a few yarns. Anyway, for his "loyalty" over the past 60 (or whatever) years he received....................... the cheapest, tackiest "digital" camera that you would only see at a car boot sale because no one wants it. Now, they could have sent him a free subscription for a year - he never uses it, but it keeps the postman coming to the door, or a letter thanking him for his custom. I say he's been had.

Wig

That is truely awful of Which? I have one of those cameras, I got it free for subscribing to which online, really is a piece of junk! If I was him I would write a letter of complaint saying something like

"If this is the best you can send me then it would have beem better not to send anything at all. And as a token of my appreciation for you sending me this bit of junk I am cancelling my subscription"

VickyA_2

Unfortunately he's dead chuffed with the camera and he gave it to my mum as a present as he doesn't have any use for it. Mum then asked my OH to try to work out how to use it - and it went into the bin.

Like I say, him receiving Which? means that the postman keeps going to the door. And it's his money and when you're not too sure about how many years you've got left on the planet - probably another 90 knowing grandpa - you may as well get the benefits.

piazope

Something strange has happened to me several times..
I have responded to several Which ads that offer a free Which mag on consumer subjects.. Having gone to the trouble of calling in for the said items.. they have not been received, I have called to enquire but the call center staff know nothing.

A few months later I receive the prize draw info..

Is this a Coincidence?

Chuckman

Which?'s time in the sun is over and their static readership is dragging them down - hence desparate marketing techniques such as the prize draw.

With a plethora of consumer comment sites with the reviews coming from the people who have purchased the product, the need for Which? is diminishing by the day.

Wig

tree_climber wrote:

I agree with most I have read but I think that most of the bits in Which is so outdated by the time you get the mag that it isn't worth it any how.

But re the above reply> Buy from Tesco no way they make way too much money?

So buy somewhere else then! no need to be confused about that surely.