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Important information

• Advertising Review:

  BBB promotes truth in advertising by contacting advertisers whose claims conflict with the BBB Code of Advertising.  These claims may come to our attention from our internal review of advertising, consumer complaints and competitor challenges.  BBB asks advertisers to prove their claims, change ads to make offers more clear to consumers, and remove misleading or deceptive statements. 

  On November 9, 2023, BBB contacted Tougher Than Tom regarding the advertisements of sales on their website.  

  BBB Code of Advertising states the qualified term "sale" may be used in advertising only if there is a significant reduction from the advertiser's usual and customary price of the products or services offered and the sale is for a limited period of time.  If the sale exceeds thirty (30) days, advertisers should be prepared to substantiate that the offering is indeed a valid price reduction and has not become their regular price. 

  BBB requested Tougher Than Tom to substantiate that the price advertised on the sale did not exceed thirty days, disclose when the sale would conclude if it did or discontinue the advertisement.  Tougher Than Tom modified their website to disclose when the sale would expire.

  Tougher Than Tom also advertised price comparisons of deductions.  

  BBB Code of Advertising states the former price must be the actual price at which the advertiser has openly and actively offered the product or service for sale, for a reasonable substantial period of time, in the recent, regular course of business, honestly and in good faith.  Where the former price is genuine, the bargain being advertised is a true one.  If, on the other hand, the former price being advertised is not bona fide, the bargain being advertised is a false one.  Offering prices, as distinguished from the actual former selling prices, may be used deceptively implying savings. In the event few or no sales were made at the advertised comparative price, the advertiser must make sure that the higher prices do not exceed the advertiser’s usual and customary retail markup for similar products or services.
  
  BBB requested Tougher Than Tom to substantiate that the products on their website was sold at the original price for a reasonable substantial period to the public.  If the former advertised price was never offered to consumers BBB requested Tougher Than Tom to discontinue the advertised price comparisons to address BBB’s concern.
  

  Tougher Than Tom  substantiated the price comparison was their Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) price for 3rd party sellers and provided the MAP pricing agreement between the manufacturer and brand owner. 

   

  Tougher Than Tom advertises their products "use all-natural ingredients of the highest purity that are safe and effective when used as directed", "Safe Around Bees", "Safe Around Kids & Pets" and "The Safest, Most Effective Way to Eliminate Mosquitoes" as well as other safety and efficacy claims.

   

  BBB Code of Advertising states claims relating to performance, energy savings, safety, efficacy, or results for a product or service should be based on recent and competent testing or other objective data. 

   

   Tougher Than Tom substantiated the advertised claim by providing current registrations confirming their products were of Minimum Risk Pesticide with EPA. The business also provided independent 3rd party tests confirming advertised claims to repel and eliminate mice, mosquitos and other pests as advertised.