Below is an excerpt from our Business Kit "Advertising Works" --this is information that anybody who is advertising should know:

Any advertising is serious business. It reflects you, your business, product and/or service. There are laws governing "truth in advertising" which are designed to prevent people from making false claims in advertising. If you have specific questions about these laws requiring answers you are advised to consult an attorney. If you can not afford to retain the services of an attorney then follow these simple rules of thumb:

• FALSE ADVERTISING-Whatever you say or promise in your advertisement you better be able to deliver! If you can't, then you may be frauding your audience with false advertising which is illegal. No amount of financial success is worth this type of legal problem.
• WARRANTIES-There is basically two kinds of legal promises or warranties: Expressed and implied. An express warranty, for example, is one in which you offer a 30 day money back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied. If the customer returns the product in salable condition within (30 days) and requests a refund, you MUST be prepared to refund ALL the money promptly. An implied warranty or promise is a natural expectation that anybody would have when they purchase a new product...that it is new, free from defect and constructed in a manner represented by the advertising surrounding the sale. When you buy a new car, you "expect" that it will run like a new car should. In other words, it is naturally implied to be from free defect. This doesn't need to be said to the person buying the car because it is a natural expectation of the transaction.
• CHAIN LETTERS-Chain letter programs are illegal. Any "sche
  Computer Desks - Think Before You Buy
  Many people buy a computer, only to find that it doesn’t really fit anywhere. They can be big, awkwardly-shaped things, with a whole collection of wires and gadgets that all need somewhere to stand.The solution is to get a computer desk. They don’t cost much, and they’re specially designed to hold all the peripherals a computer needs. There’s spac
  se claims in advertising. If you have specific questions about these laws requiring answers you are advised to consult an attorney. If you can not afford to retain the services of an attorney then follow these simple rules of thumb:
  • FALSE ADVERTISING-Whatever you say or promise in your advertisement you better be able to deliver! If you can't, then you may be frauding your audience with false advertising which is illegal. No amount of financial success is worth this type of legal problem.
  • WARRANTIES-There is basically two kinds of legal promises or warranties: Expressed and implied. An express warranty, for example, is one in which you offer a 30 day money back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied. If the customer returns the product in salable condition within (30 days) and requests a refund, you MUST be prepared to refund ALL the money promptly. An implied warranty or promise is a natural expectation that anybody would have when they purchase a new product...that it is new, free from defect and constructed in a manner represented by the advertising surrounding the sale. When you buy a new car, you "expect" that it will run like a new car should. In other words, it is naturally implied to be from free defect. This doesn't need to be said to the person buying the car because it is a natural expectation of the transaction.
  • CHAIN LETTERS-Chain letter programs are illegal. Any "sch
    The Impact of Oil Prices on the Freight Industry
    Instability in the Middle East and threats to geo political harmony from Iran are combining to hike up oil prices around the world. This is having an impact at all levels from big business to consumers; and the freight industry in particular is under strain as a result.In the UK petrol prices are reaching record highs which is affecting the cost o
    't, then you may be frauding your audience with false advertising which is illegal. No amount of financial success is worth this type of legal problem.
  • WARRANTIES-There is basically two kinds of legal promises or warranties: Expressed and implied. An express warranty, for example, is one in which you offer a 30 day money back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied. If the customer returns the product in salable condition within (30 days) and requests a refund, you MUST be prepared to refund ALL the money promptly. An implied warranty or promise is a natural expectation that anybody would have when they purchase a new product...that it is new, free from defect and constructed in a manner represented by the advertising surrounding the sale. When you buy a new car, you "expect" that it will run like a new car should. In other words, it is naturally implied to be from free defect. This doesn't need to be said to the person buying the car because it is a natural expectation of the transaction.
  • CHAIN LETTERS-Chain letter programs are illegal. Any "sch
    How to Utilize Classified Ads in Narrow Market Publications
    Trying to find the best newsletters or magazines to place classified ads can be a daunting task. By far the best place to run classified ads is in those places your potential customers are looking for the kind of classified ad you are running.In most cases, this will be in small, narrow market, subject specific newsletters. These are the kind
    stomer is not satisfied. If the customer returns the product in salable condition within (30 days) and requests a refund, you MUST be prepared to refund ALL the money promptly. An implied warranty or promise is a natural expectation that anybody would have when they purchase a new product...that it is new, free from defect and constructed in a manner represented by the advertising surrounding the sale. When you buy a new car, you "expect" that it will run like a new car should. In other words, it is naturally implied to be from free defect. This doesn't need to be said to the person buying the car because it is a natural expectation of the transaction.
  • CHAIN LETTERS-Chain letter programs are illegal. Any "sch
    Going Public via Initial or Direct Public Offering: The Role of Your Board of Directors
    A company’s board of directors can play an important role in determining the kind of funding a public offering receives. If going public is your goal, the selection of board members should be given especially careful consideration.The board of directors serves a couple of important functions for a company that has gone public or plans to in the n
    advertising surrounding the sale. When you buy a new car, you "expect" that it will run like a new car should. In other words, it is naturally implied to be from free defect. This doesn't need to be said to the person buying the car because it is a natural expectation of the transaction.
  • CHAIN LETTERS-Chain letter programs are illegal. Any "scheme" where money is exchanged and no products or services are delivered is against the law. Not only is it a violation of advertising law, it is an offense against postal regulations. To avoid legal problems do not participate in chain letters.
  • BAIT & SWITCH-Bait and switch programs are illegal. Any “scheme” where you mislead people by “baiting them” with an advertisement to sell an offering at a specified price with no intention of delivering the offering but rather to “switch them” into another higher priced offering is false and misleading advertising. To avoid legal problems do not participate in bait and switch schemes.
  • THE GOLDEN RULE...Follow the golden rule “Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you”…this will keep you from breaking most of the advertising laws. Honesty is the best policy. If you can't be honest, don't advertise!

  Copyright © 2006 James W. Hart, IV All Rights Reserved