Tuff-E-Nuff - not such a good deal

[Shaz82]

This should probably should go in the Whine Bar, I was undecided as it is also a niggle.

I was persuaded to order from Tug-E-Nuff by an email promising discount and a free bag of goodies worth £50.

Got the discount and the order just arrived.
The bag of goodies contains a clicker, a cotton carrier bag, a small bag of treats - worth about £5.00 altogether.
I queried this with them, saying I had ordered only because of the discount and goody bag worth £50.

After several emails (they weren't forth coming with the answer of the value of the bag) they said it was 'to a value of £50'.

My fault I know, I am usually really good noticing this kind of thing, but this is completely misleading, and I deleted the original email so couldn't check.
I wonder if they have given away a bag actually worth £50, if not then that figure is way too high to advertise.
Nothing in the bag worth any value at all, they could have at least put a good toy in there.

 

[Joy]

That's really bad. I wonder if you could contact advertising standards? I suppose if they said 'up to a value of £50' they could get away with it, but just 'to' sounds like it means 'equivalent to'.

 

[Selina27]

This is a shame, and definitely a niggle. I wouldn't have thought that they would really need to resort to a misleading sales gimmick like that, when their stuff is good anyway.

 

[HAH]

That's really sharp practice - no wonder you're annoyed @Shaz82 , I'd be fuming too and would probably return the whole shebang. I'd be interested on the trading standards positions too, sounds like 'to a value' is very slippery language.

 

[Jacqui-S]

I deleted the original email

Don't suppose it's in the trash folder?
Checked mine but never bought from them but someone else may have it?

 

[Shaz82]

My final email to them was "I hope you have actually given away a bag worth that amount otherwise that figure would be classed by trading standards as false advertising".
They just replied saying that 5 customers had received a £50 gift card.

I am disappointed but mainly annoyed with myself for falling for it.

 

[HAH]

This was my screenshot. If you want to pursue it @Shaz82 I can forward you the email?

 

[Shaz82]

Thanks for the screenshot @HAH, it shows that the wording is correct though so no point pursuing it.
I can't return it now as Maisy has already destroyed one of the toys, a Kong Hubba, nice and furry and cuddly for your dog to snuggle ... oh, ok tear it apart then!

 

[kateincornwall]

Oh now thats naughty , very misleading indeed, no wonder you are so cross x

 

[Charlie]

Argghhhh that's so annoying. xx

 

[Beanwood]

How annoying! I had the email too, missed the "up to" bit, very easy to do, I didn't order anything from them though.

 

[Beanwood]

Just had a look at Misleading Advertising website.

Ensure price statements and saving claims are accurate
Price statements must relate to the product featured in the ad and should not mislead by omission, undue emphasis or distortion.

Advertisers must ensure that the price stated relates to the product in the ad, and must make clear if the consumer needs to make any commitments in order to achieve that price. If using ‘from’ or ‘up to’, advertisers must be able to demonstrate that there is a significant proportion of availability at the price stated.

So, if they are saying "up to" £50, then a significant amount of giveaways in relation to the predicted value of £50 must have been met. So say for example, they have 100 qualifying orders over £35, then a signifcant amount of those 100 orders should have contained giveaways to the value of £50. If ALL of them were the same as yours, ie: an estimated value of £5, then I reckon that could be classed as misleading advertising. That is just my take on it though!

Edited to include link Home

 

[Peartree]

I also looked at the website and decided not to order as it wasn’t clear exactly what you would get with your order. It’s naughty I think to run something like that on Black Friday as I feel they are piggy backing on the discounts on other websites. SWMBO recently told me who Tug E Nuff were originally started by which has put me off as they are persistent marketeers. Shame, as I think they have some super products!

I’m off to order a game bag from Sporting Saints - 20% discount which is much more straightforward.

 

[HAH]

SWMBO recently told me who Tug E Nuff were originally started by which has put me off as they are persistent marketeers.

That makes sense if I’m guessing right - it’s a very uncomfortable hard sell approach, not keen at all.

 

[Shaz82]

That's interesting @Beanwood , I wonder how many sales they have had from that deal in relation to the amount of £50 gift bags.
And when words are used like 'significant' it can be a very grey area. What is significant to one may not be to another, very vague.
However, I will not pursue it, it is too much hassle and I don't need it. Best to forgive forget it, they won't get my business again unfortunately.

 

[Atemas]

Yes this is so naughty and I’d be fuming too @Shaz82. I bought quite a lot from them when certain on line trainers were in vogue not all that long ago and using all their products - a link there perhaps!! I will avoid them from now on

 

[Selina27]

a link there perhaps!!

I was thinking the same!!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

How irritating - and dodgy on their part. At least a toy should have been included. What's the point otherwise as they are dog toy company?

Is there anything like the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in the UK where you can lodge a complaint? Or just a popular review site where you can say what happened to you?

I recently made a purchase online that I regretted - even more so after I checked reviews and the BBB AFTER ordering (d'oh!) - so I feel your pain.

 

[Beanwood]

@Shaz82 it is a fairly simple process to complain through this organisation. Just click on the links they have on their website.

 

[Shaz82]

@Shaz82 it is a fairly simple process to complain through this organisation. Just click on the links they have on their website.

Yes, I think I will leave a review.
I would have to become a member of the tug club though and they may not publish a bad review, I may instead find somewhere else as @Emily_Babbelhund suggested, somewhere independent. Lots to do at the moment, it's manic at work but will look into it.