Advertisment
The advertisement referred to the following:
“Energia – More info about CHEAP392 Dual Fuel
Plan features
• Year 1 Discount – 23% off electricity & 20% off gas
• 1 year’s FREE boiler & home heating emergency breakdown insurance (valued at €50)
• Online account management only – no need for paper bills
• Pay by Direct Debit
• Cancellation fee of €100.00 applies
Switching to this plan will save you €112.42 a year
Energia CHEAP392 Dual Fuel
• Year 1 Discount – 23% off electricity & 20% off gas
• 1 year’s FREE boiler & home heating emergency breakdown insurance (valued at €50)
• Online account management only – no need for paper bills
More info >>
Variable Rate
12 month contract
€100.00 early exit fee”
Complaint
The complainant said the advertisement had offered free boiler insurance to the value of €50 to consumers who switched to Energia. This information was also confirmed under the “more information” tab on the website. The complainant said that on switching provider he received his policy only to discover that the offer of free insurance did not apply to boilers over 15 years old. He said that this information had been provided far down in the terms and conditions. The complainant considered the offer to be misleading as a lot of consumers would have boilers over 15 years old.
Response
The advertisers said that when a potential customer went through the Energia registration process on switcher.ie they were provided with further details regarding the free boiler insurance product which included a reference to applicable terms and conditions. They said that the full list of terms and conditions were later supplied by the Insurance Company who provided the product.
The advertisers subsequently informed the Authority that they had amended their website to include reference to the requirement that in order to avail of the offer, boilers must be no older than 15 years.
Conclusion
Complaint Upheld
The Complaints Committee considered the details of the complaint and the advertisers’ response and that they had now amended their website. The Committee reminded the advertisers that any major condition which may influence a consumer’s decision as to whether or not to partake of an offer should be indicated in a clear manner. The Committee noted that the terms and conditions in this case had not been made available to the complainant until after he had signed up to the offer. The Committee concluded that the advertising had breached Sections 4.1, 4.4, 5.5 and 5.16 of the Code.
Action Required:
As the advertising had been amended, no further action was required.
