Business ProfileforComputer House Calls

BBB's role in the marketplace is to ensure the public's confidence in advertising and promote trust in business.

In BBB's general review of Painting by Computer House Call's website, an advertised claim(s) was found for which we requested written substantiation.

BBB reviews advertising on accredited and non-accredited businesses in every medium. Our request is based on BBB's Code of Advertising Standards that can be found at

https://www.bbb.org/code-of-advertising

BBB's requests are based on these specific codes:

1.0: Basic Principles of the Code

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.

29.0: Subjective Puffery Claims

29.1 Expressions of opinion or personal evaluation of the intangible qualities of a product or service are likely to be considered puffery. Such claims are not subject to the test of truth and accuracy and would not need substantiation.

29.2 Puffery may include statements such as "best food in the world" and "we try harder" as well as other individual opinions, statements of corporate pride, exaggerations, blustering and boasting statements upon which no reasonable buyer would be justified in relying. Puffery also includes general claims of superiority over comparable products that are so vague that it can be understood as nothing more than a mere expression of opinion.

29.3 Ultimately, whether any particular statement or claim is puffery will depend upon the context in which it is used in the advertisement.

30.0: Testimonials and Endorsements
30.1 In general, advertising which uses testimonials or endorsements is likely to mislead or confuse if:

30.1.1 It is not genuine and does not actually represent the current opinion of the endorser;

30.1.2 The actual wording of the testimonial or endorsement has been altered in such a way as to change its overall meaning and impact;

30.1.3 It contains representations or statements which would be misleading if made directly by the advertiser;

30.1.4 While literally true, it creates deceptive implications;

30.1.5 The endorser has not been a bona fide user of the endorsed product or service at the time when the endorsement was given, where the advertiser represents that the endorser uses the product or service;

30.1.6 It is not clearly stated that the endorser, associated with some well-known and highly-regarded institution, is speaking only in a personal capacity, and not on behalf of such an institution, if such be the fact;

30.1.7 The advertising makes broad claims as to the endorsements or approval by indefinitely large or vague groups, for example, "the homeowners of America," "the doctors of America;"

30.1.8 The endorser has a financial interest in the company whose product or service is endorsed and this is not made known in the advertisement;

30.1.9 An expert endorser does not possess the qualifications that give the endorser the expertise represented in the advertisement;

30.1.10 The advertiser represents, directly or by implication, that the endorser is an "actual consumer" when such is not the case and the advertisement fails to clearly and conspicuously disclose that fact;

30.1.11 A consumer's experience represented in an advertisement is not the typical experience of those using the product or service, unless the advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses what the expected results will be;

30.1.12 Endorsements placed by advertisers in online blogs or on other third-party websites do not clearly and conspicuously disclose the connection to the advertiser and comply with each of the provisions in this Code; and

30.1.13 Advertisers compensate consumers for leaving feedback on third-party online blogs or websites but fail to ensure that consumers disclose such facts on those blogs or websites.

In the U.S., advertisers should consult the Federal Trade Commission Guides on Testimonials and Endorsements for detailed guidance. In Canada, advertisers should review the Competition Bureau's publication on Untrue, Misleading or Unauthorized Use of Tests and Testimonials for specific guidance.

We contacted the firm regarding the specific advertising below:

www.healthycomputer.com

1. Since 1987 - #1 in Metro Atlanta!

2. Since 1987, Computer House Calls has been there for our clients and our clients have returned the favor by making Computer House Calls the #1 computer service company in the Atlanta Metropolitan area according to a local magazine survey.

To date, the firm has not responded.