Information and Alerts
Alert Details
This business has 2 alerts.
Ad Review
On February 21, 2020, BBB Serving Los Angeles and Silicon Valley requested that the business substantiate, modify or discontinue claims advertised on the company's website, www.armtheanimals.com. The company advertises various donation and charity claims. Specifically, the company advertises:
- "The ATA Mission: Raise Funds And Awareness While Providing Support For Animal Welfare Organizations."
- "Over the past 8+ years, ATA has worked with over 100 animal welfare organizations providing donation funds, supplying low-cost website development, graphics and marketing services in order to help other organizations increase their impact."
- "We created 2 special shirts to support animals effected by the wildfires in Australia. To date, we have raised and donated over $11,000 to WIRES who manage rescues of all types at all times."
- "We supporting several charities, including Dallas Dog RRR & Austin Pets Alive to
help animals effected by Hurricane Harvey. This campaign generated over $6,000
from the sales of our Let's Return Their Loyalty design!"
- "ATA works with Wildlife SOS and initially created designs to help fund the new life
of Raju the elephant who cried tears upon being rescued. The campaign which started with a T-shirt carried on for several years and lead to substantial growth for Wildlife SOS as an organization online. We currently serve as Wildlife SOSs official apparel company and their items continue to generate direct donations from sales on a monthly basis."
- "ATA raised/donated $13,000 for the ZCTF following the brutal murder of Cecil the lion by donating all of the proceeds from their now famous "Earth Day Lion" design"
- "ATA also assisted Southern California Bulldog Rescue in raising over $35,000 by donating from each sale of their Bulldog Blade design to Kiki the bulldog, who gave it her all for nearly a year, but ultimately succumbed to her injuries."
- "ATA came to the aid of Red & Quail: Two Pit Bulls that sustained multiple rattlesnake bites to the face and head while defending their family on a walk. Both dog were in critical condition and required over $12,000 of medical treatment. ATA donated $5 from every pit bull tee sold for two complete weeks and helped the family hit their goal of $12,000 to cover medical expenses."
- "ATA is not a non-profit organization, it is a regular apparel business that has made "giving back" a core goal of the company."
- "Over the past 6+ years, ATA has worked with over 100 animal welfare organizations providing donation funds, supplying low-cost website development, graphics and marketing services in order to help other organizations increase their impact."
- "THUS FAR, WE'VE GENERATED $16,000 TO WIRES! THANK YOU!
This tee raises funds in support of the animals affected by the Australian wildfires. 100% of proceeds will be donated to WIRES Australia, who are doing all they can to assist injured and displaced wildlife."
The BBB Code of Advertising states, "1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publication or broadcast. Upon request, they should present such substantiation promptly to the advertising medium or BBB. 1.2 Advertisements which are untrue, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, falsely disparaging of competitors, or insincere offers to sell, shall not be used. 1.3 An advertisement as a whole may be misleading by implication, although every sentence separately considered may be literally true. 1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but by omitting or obscuring a material fact."
As of March 20, 2020, the business has failed to respond to our request for substantiation, modification or discontinuation of the advertised claims.
Investigations
The BBB opened an investigation on this firm due to the amount of inquiries we have received. According to BBB files, consumers allege not receiving the purchases they paid for. Furthermore, consumers allege not being able to get a response with the details of their orders or refunds. On February 21 and March 6, 2020 the BBB contacted the company in regards to our concerns about the amount and pattern of complaints we have received, unfortunately, the BBB did not receive a response.
The Federal Trade Commission's Prompt Delivery Rules "spells out the ground rules for making promises about shipments, notifying consumers about unexpected delays, and refunding consumers' money. Enforced by the FTC, the Mail or Telephone Order Rule applies to orders placed by phone, fax or the Internet." For more information about the FTC's Prompt Delivery Rule please visit https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/selling-internet-prompt-delivery-rules
Important Information
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
181 complaints filed against business
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
Failure to respond to 96 complaints filed against business.
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
4 complaints filed against business that were not resolved.
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
Advertising issue(s) found by BBB.
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
Business has failed to resolve underlying cause(s) of a pattern of complaints.
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