Pay per second objection
A consumer recently lodged a complaint against Virgin Mobile with the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA), saying the company was guilty of misleading advertising on its website and in brochures.
Virgin Mobile says in its advertisement: “Pay per minute for your first minute, then per second thereafter…”.
A Mr Stephen submitted that the conditions and rates advertised were incorrect as a subscriber actually pays per minute for the first five minutes, then per second thereafter.
Virgin Mobile responded saying that it offers a drop-down rate for calls made during a 24-hour period. “Once a customer makes a call, either in one call or cumulatively, for 5 minutes, the overall rate drops from R2.35 per minute to R1.55 per minute,” Virgin Mobile stated.
“Whether the rate is R2.35 per minute or R1.55 per minute a customer would always be billed per minute for the first minute and per second thereafter of any call. Therefore, the claim that you pay for your first minute and then per second thereafter is correct.”
There was, however, no reference to rates on Virgin Mobile’s brochures or on its website, and the company undertook to ensure that all necessary information be added to its website and brochures.
The ASA said that it was satisfied that this amendment would adequately address the complainant’s concerns.
Virgin Mobile – ASA discussion
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