September 6, 2021
5 minutes to read
This Monday, the head of Federal Consumer Prosecutor’s Office (Profeco) , Ricardo sheffield , indicated that the agency is already proceed legally against four companies for ‘false advertising’ . These are the airline VivaAerobus , the restaurant chain VIP , the multinational Sony , and the fuel company British Petroleum (BP) .
During the morning press conference of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Ricardo sheffield singled out the four companies for launching rigged, confusing or bogus promotions that ended up defrauding the end consumer.
Now let’s see what each company is accused of:
British Petroleum
The head of Profeco reported that the oil company claimed that a full tank of gasoline would have 42 kilometers more performance, which is not true, he said.
“We have started a case against British Petroleum for false advertising, because they tell the consumer that they are giving 42 kilometers more for a tank that you fill with them. This is totally false, there is no way to prove it, it is misleading advertising, that already with our laboratories and in coordination with the customs laboratories, we have determined that this claim cannot be made “, Explain Ricardo sheffield .
VIP
“But that’s not the only misleading advertisement we legally fought this weekend,” added the lawyer.
The VIP restaurant chain owned by the Alsea group , is accused of launching a very confusing and unclear promotion, which ultimately hurt unsuspecting diners.
“There is Vips, who seems to sell us a stuffed chili for 35 pesos, while at 35 pesos he gives the chela if you buy the chili and you don’t even know how he is going to give you the chili. This is false advertising », Denounced the person in charge.
# Newscast | Profeco issues preventive measures for Viva Aerobus, BP and Vips for misleading advertising.
A class action lawsuit will also be initiated against Sony de México. https://t.co/jmLXiTcXfx pic.twitter.com/WZ2Z6J1BUz
– Profeco (@Profeco) September 6, 2021
VivaAerobus
Anyone who has cited a flight on this airline knows that the end price is much higher than what they use as a catchphrase in their advertisements. You know that after clicking on the VivaAerobus page, you won’t see this price anywhere. If you find it and try to buy it, when you’re about to pay, it turns out that the 50 peso flight now costs 3000 or more pesos.
For this reason, Ricardo sheffield points out that the airline has served deceptive advertising by noting that you can fly to any destination for 39 pesos . He underlined the unrealism of this promotion saying that “not even the Suburban” it costs that.
“However, with the very small print that cannot be seen, it says ‘no more TUA’ (Airport Use Fee). This is false advertising. », Declared the boss of Profeco.
Sony
The electronics multinational accused of promising “very, very low” price for the first 10 who will buy some sound equipment. “However, several weeks before the top 10 had already bought it and they (Sony) continued to mislead the consumer with this ad,” he said. Explain.
In addition to continuing to broadcast the expired promotion, he said they will take class action against Sony. “who did not want to continue to respect this discount, despite the fact that it continues to maintain the advertising . “
“Cases of very large companies, which instead of helping consumers after pandemics and during this crisis which has affected many, seem to want to abuse to recover quickly,” said the federal official.
Ultimately, Ricardo sheffield , boss of Profeco , urged consumers who have been scammed by these companies to report number 55 55 68 87 22.
