Fairness Commission: Increasingly "aggressive sales methods"
Last year, the Swiss Commission for Fair Trading received 339 inquiries and 326 complaints were lodged. The number of cases involving "aggressive sales methods" increased significantly, while complaints about sexist advertising decreased.
If you look at the 2009 annual statistics of the Swiss Commission for Fair Trading (SLK), the record number of complaints proceedings is striking: the SLK had to deal with 326 proceedings in 2009 (compared to 311 in 2008), as the Swiss Commission for Fair Trading writes in a press release on Thursday. There have never been more cases in the history of the Commission for Fair Trading.
The most noticeable changes relate to "aggressive sales methods" and "sexist advertising". In 2008, the former still accounted for 19 percent of cases. In 2009, 34 percent of complaints were made in connection with "aggressive sales methods". There was a downward trend in sexist advertising, which fell by almost half from 13.5 percent in 2008 to 7 percent in 2009.
Among the other offenses, there are four in which conspicuous changes can be reported, according to the press release: For example, an increase from 8.6 percent (2008) to 11.1 percent last year can be seen in the area of "incorrect information". Fewer complaints were received in the area of "sweepstakes". Here, the percentage of all cases fell from 10.9 percent in 2008 to 7.7 percent (2009). The development in the area of "child/youth protection" is encouraging, with a decrease of 2.7 percentage points to 2.2% in 2009. Finally, the number of complaints relating to "risk of confusion" increased from 0.3 percent in 2008 to 1.2 percent in 2009. There were only insignificant changes in the other offenses, ranging between 0.1 and one percentage point.
Sharp rise in telephone cases
As far as the channels through which the offending advertising was disseminated are concerned, all but two have declined in percentage terms. In contrast, a considerable increase of 23.1 percentage points was recorded for "telephone/fax". Whereas in 2008, 16.4 percent of the commercial communication complained of was by telephone, in 2009 this figure was 39.5 percent. This is entirely congruent with the development of the offenses themselves. As mentioned, these are the "aggressive sales methods", which in the vast majority of cases are made by telephone. Complaints against flyers that fall under "distributed, posted" have also increased. These rose from two percent in 2008 to 8.1 percent in 2009. The "cleanest" medium in 2009 was the cinema. No complaints were received regarding advertising shown in cinemas.
The most noticeable changes relate to "aggressive sales methods" and "sexist advertising". In 2008, the former still accounted for 19 percent of cases. In 2009, 34 percent of complaints were made in connection with "aggressive sales methods". There was a downward trend in sexist advertising, which fell by almost half from 13.5 percent in 2008 to 7 percent in 2009.
Among the other offenses, there are four in which conspicuous changes can be reported, according to the press release: For example, an increase from 8.6 percent (2008) to 11.1 percent last year can be seen in the area of "incorrect information". Fewer complaints were received in the area of "sweepstakes". Here, the percentage of all cases fell from 10.9 percent in 2008 to 7.7 percent (2009). The development in the area of "child/youth protection" is encouraging, with a decrease of 2.7 percentage points to 2.2% in 2009. Finally, the number of complaints relating to "risk of confusion" increased from 0.3 percent in 2008 to 1.2 percent in 2009. There were only insignificant changes in the other offenses, ranging between 0.1 and one percentage point.
Sharp rise in telephone cases
As far as the channels through which the offending advertising was disseminated are concerned, all but two have declined in percentage terms. In contrast, a considerable increase of 23.1 percentage points was recorded for "telephone/fax". Whereas in 2008, 16.4 percent of the commercial communication complained of was by telephone, in 2009 this figure was 39.5 percent. This is entirely congruent with the development of the offenses themselves. As mentioned, these are the "aggressive sales methods", which in the vast majority of cases are made by telephone. Complaints against flyers that fall under "distributed, posted" have also increased. These rose from two percent in 2008 to 8.1 percent in 2009. The "cleanest" medium in 2009 was the cinema. No complaints were received regarding advertising shown in cinemas.
