We seem to get these kinds of leaflets through the door almost every week.Just to avoid any confusion: they are not charity collections. Rutex is a private company, not a charity.
The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld complaints about Rutex's leaflets in the past saying:
The ASA was concerned by Rutexs lack of response and apparent disregard for the Code, which was a breach of CAP Code clause 2.6 (Non-response). We reminded them of their responsibility to respond promptly to our enquiries and told them to do so in future.
We noted the ad did not make clear that clothing collected was sold for profit and considered that the claim "Not everyone and especially young families can afford to buy new, often expensive clothes, shoes and household things. We would be grateful if you could kindydonate [sic]" misleadingly implied that Rutex was a charity.
The ad breached CAP Code clauses 2.2 (Social responsibility); 2.6 (Non-response) and 7.1 (Truthfulness).
If you want to donate clothes to charity you are better off taking them to the collection bins in Sainsbury's car park or directly to a charity shop such as Paws in Clapham.
The attempt to fool people bothers me much more than that the clothes might be sold for profit. I've got nothing against someone making an honest pound off something I no longer want, and they'd do me the favour of picking up from my doorstep. It's the (clumsy, really) attempt to mislead that keeps me from giving Rutex my old clothes. Seems like such a stupid tactic.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you Matt. It's the deception that's the problem. Sorry if that's not clear from the post.
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