Information and Alerts

Ad Review

The BBB recently reviewed Jean's Chinese Restaurant's party menu, that is making savings claims of up to 35% off.

Once adding up the actual menu items, and subtracting the percentage-off the BBB found that these claims were misleading, and brought this information to the attention of the owner and management of the restaurant.

Where the menu items are sold in bulk in the party packs, the price cannot be discounted at 35% off, as it is not a comparison with the restaurant's own former selling price.

The BBB Code of Advertising states that:

" A. Comparison with own former selling price
1. The former price should be the actual price at which the advertiser has been currently offering (see 2. below) the merchandise immediately preceding the sale, on a regular basis, and for a reasonably substantial period of time.

2. Offering prices, as distinguished from actual former selling prices, have frequently been used as a comparative to deceptively imply a savings. In the event few or no sales were made at the advertised comparative price, the advertiser should make sure that the higher price does not exceed the advertiser's usual and customary retail markup for similar merchandise, not an inflated or exaggerated price, and is one at which the merchandise was openly and actively offered for sale, for a reasonably substantial period of time, in the recent, regular course of business, honestly and in good faith.

3. Descriptive terminology often used by advertisers includes: regularly," "was," "you save $_____ ," and "originally." If the word "originally" is used and the original price is not the last previous price, that fact should be disclosed by stating the last previous price, or that intermediate markdowns have been taken, e.g., "originally $400, formerly $300, now $250"; "originally $400, intermediate markdowns taken, now $250."

The company has complied with the BBB's voluntary self-regulation and has agreed to modify radio, in-store, and website advertising of the 35% off claim. However, as this review was completed after the menus are printed consumers may still see this claim in circulation. It is advised that if consumers are concerned about a price advertised to request an explanation from staff of the restaurant, as management has advised the BBB that staff members will be trained to explain the pricing of the party menu.