These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Advertising Standards Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
Bid-up TV Product
Complaint from: 1 viewer
Background
An auction for a bracelet on Bid-up.tv showed onscreen text referring to a watch
Issue
A viewer complained that she had bid for a bracelet but when that bid was accepted, she was told she had successfully bid for the watch. She felt the broadcast had been misleading.
Assessment
Bid-up.tv said the error was due to a "technical mix up". It happened during a "graphic led hour" which meant the presentation of the item to be auctioned was pre-recorded and the live auction details superimposed simultaneously. In this case, it seemed that the pre-recorded video was "ineptly edited" so that when the watch auction continued after the break, the tape jumped to the bracelet auction while the superimposed graphics and onscreen bidding for the watch continued. The producer became aware of the error when the next auction started. Bid-up said this situation had never arisen before and steps were being taken to ensure that it would not happen again.
Conclusion
The ITC noted that the channel was addressing the matter but nonetheless concluded that the broadcast had been misleading.
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