Let’s all say it together: naughty Gerry! Harvey Norman has been fined $1.25 million by the Federal Court for misleading advertising.
Picture by Chris Hyde/Gerry Images
The fine covers two offences. Firstly, Harvey Norman promoted 3D televisions in its catalogues by noting that the AFL and NRL grand final would be broadcast in 3D, but failed to mention that only applied in a handful of capital cities (plus Newcastle, fact fans). Secondly, it ran ads in its catalogues over a period of years which conveyed the impression some specials were available in all its stores, when in fact those deals were only available in one store in each state. Justice Collier didn’t hold back in describing what she thought of such conduct, calling it
an expensive, misleading and calculated campaign of sizable proportions, characterised by blatant and deliberate disregard of the truth, cynical strategies to capitalise on contemporary sporting events (in the case of the 3D Conduct) and the contemptuous manipulation of the expectations of ordinary consumers in respect of so-called “fine print” (in relation to the Catalogues)
It’s a timely reminder that retailers in Australia can’t conceal significant detail about products or sales in fine print. We trust similar issues won’t dog Harvey Norman’s recently launched online store.
Harvey Norman fined for misleading ads [The West]
Republished from Lifehacker
cayal
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 9:34 AMI feel betrayed Gerry…I’m going online now!
scott
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 1:16 PMOh good, you cn buy online now at http://www.hn.com.au
Ruen
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 9:37 AMNow… Let’s see if Gerry is able to place the blame on online shopping for this one…
scott
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 1:18 PMIf it was me id be blaming the TV Broadcaster for not telling them it wasn’t nationwide.
Nads
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 9:44 AMThe man is a crook.
Gordy
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 10:30 AMIf Gery wasn’t selling furniture and white goods he’d be selling used cars
Sam
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 11:20 AMTo be fair, I doubt Gerry himself is personally responsible for the misleading advertising – but in having said that, he doesn’t shy away from spruiking his own brand, and has been incredibly vocal about Australian retailers (read: him) getting shafted in favour of cheaper internet prices – and how it’s unfair. The kind of behaviour shown in the article hardly sounds fair to the consumer either, no?
Mmmmm
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:27 PMMy understanding is Harvey Norman do all their advertising in house. They produce all their own TV, print and web media with out any external advertising agency. With Gerry at the helm, he is responcible. Happy to be corrected on how they produce their advertising.
Daniel
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 11:38 AMI hope the man goes broke so badly, I’ve hated his attitude towards everything for a very long time and it’s only progressing with every time I see him in the news. Hope he fails miserably in 2012.
Ozoneocean
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 2:08 PMThe 3D thing wasn’t that big of an issue but the sales thing is. That’s massive! He would definitely have known about that.
I just wish they’d change their logo and branding, it’s an offence against design!
Nicholas
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 2:10 PM>>Gerry Images
Lol’d
Penmonicus
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 3:10 PMNo give me some action on all the BS Google and Facebook ads I see, please.
Penmonicus
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 3:17 PM*Now
cayal
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 4:24 PMhttp://www.news.com.au/business/labor-to-set-up-online-shopping-tax-taskforce/story-e6frfm1i-1226218122089
-This asshole is going to get his way…
Ash
Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 9:55 AMThis is great news. He deserves a kick up the bum. Losing money rather than making it should teach him a good lesson to not mess with consumers as someone is always watching, and someone is always out to get pricks like him.