Information and Alerts

BBB promotes truth in advertising by contacting advertisers whose claims conflict with the BBB Code of Advertising. These claims may come to our attention from our internal review of advertising, consumer complaints and competitor challenges. BBB asks advertisers to prove their claims, change ads to make offers more clear to consumers, and remove misleading or deceptive statements. 

On 06/10/2024, BBB contacted the business regarding their advertised products on their website. The business advertised a price comparison with slashed pricing without disclosing what the comparison is based on. The business was asked to update all of their print advertising to include "Truth in Lending Disclosures" regarding promises made on the print ads to consumers that have conditions which is required to place on all adverting by BBB’s Code of Advertising.

https://greenaircare.com/shop/

16x25x1 Pleated Filters Annual Replenishment

$69.00 $55.00

• - Price comparison basis is not defined and disclosed on the website.
•  
• The print ad states the following: 
  • 0% Interest Financing For 60 Months! 
  • $32/month
  • $18/month
  •  
  • - The BBB requested to modify the advertisement to include Truth in Lending Disclosures required by Section 16 of the Code of Advertising

The BBB Code of Advertising States:

BBB recognizes that truthful price information helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions and that comparative price advertising plays an important role in promoting vigorous competition among retailers. At the same time, misleading or unsubstantiated pricing claims injure both consumers and competitors. The following examples offer guidance on ensuring that pricing claims are truthful and not misleading.

2.1 Advertisers may offer a price reduction or savings by comparing their selling price with:

2.1.1 Their own former selling price;

2.1.2 The current selling price of identical products or services sold by others in the trade area (the area in which the company does business or where the advertisement appears) (e.g., “selling elsewhere at $_______.”); or

2.1.3 The current selling price of a comparable product or service sold by the advertiser or by others in the trade area (e.g., “comparable value,” “compares with products or services selling at $_____,” “equal to products or services selling for $_____”).

2.2 In each case, the advertisement must clearly and conspicuously disclose which basis of comparison is being used.

2.3 When these comparisons are made in advertising, the claims must be based on the provisions in Sections 3 - 7.

• The amount or percentage of any down payment;
• The number of payments or period of repayment;
• The amount of any payment, expressed either as a percentage or as a dollar amount; or
• The amount of any finance charge.

• The amount or percentage of the down payment;
• The terms of repayment; and
• The “annual percentage rate,” using that term spelled out in full or the abbreviation “APR.” If the rate may be increased after consummation of the credit transaction, that fact must be disclosed.

This Ad review is the 2nd time the business has had to address comparative pricing for products sold and they have modified the website to include the basis for price comparison. In addition, they have added truth in lending disclosures for financing terms.
As of 10/8/2024, business has address the advertising review and made the corrections needed per the Code of advertising.