Source: https://www.readkong.com/page/940-cmr-office-of-the-attorney-general-retail-advertising-8377933
Timestamp: 2019-12-14 10:56:32
Document Index: 700323144

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 78', '§78', '§ 84', '§ 1', '§ 1601', '§ 1667', '§ 90']

Page created by Clyde Payne
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 940 CMR 6.00: RETAIL ADVERTISING Section 6.01: Definitions 6.02: Scope 6.03: Basic Principles 6.04: General Requirements 6.05: Price Comparison and Savings Claims 6.06: Availability of Advertised Products 6.07: Disclosure ofExpiration Dates 6.08: Prizes 6.09: Availability ofFinancing 6.10: Compliance with Truth-in-lending Requirements 6.11: Lease and Rent-to-own Transactions 6.12: Limitations on Implied Warranties Prohibited 6.13: Corrections 6.14: Record Keeping Requirements 6.15: Severability 6.01: Definitions Advertisement (including the terms advertise and advertising) means any oral, written, graphic, or pictorial representation made by a seller in the course ofthe solicitation ofretail business or which encourages apersonto purchase a retail product.
Advertisementincludes a: representation made in a newspaper, magazine, on or via the Internet or other publication or on radio or television or contained in any notice, handbill, sign, billboard, banner, poster, display, circular, pamphlet, catalog, or letter, or printed on or contained in any tag or label which is attached to or accompanies any product offered for sale. Advertisement includes any representation disseminated within Massachusetts if the advertisement is directed to consumers in Massachusetts, or accessible to Massachusetts consumers on or via the Internet. Clear and Conspicuous (including the terms clearly and conspicuously) means that the material representation being disclosed is ofsuch size, color, contrast or audibility and is so presented as to be readily noticed and understood by a reasonable person to whom it is being disclosed.
Without limiting the requirements of the preceding sentence: (a) A material representation in a printed, written, typed or graphic advertisement, except a representation in a catalog or in a finance, lease or rent-to-own advertisement covered by the requirements of940 CMR 6.01: Clear and Conspicuous(e), is not clear and conspicuous unless such material representation either: 1. appears in type which is a minimum ofeight point type; or 2. in the case of a material representation modifying eight point type copy, appears in type which is bold and a minimum of six point type; or 3. in the case of a material representation modifying eight point bold type, appears in type which is contrasting and a minimum of six point type.
(b) Inaddition to the mandatory minimumtype size requirements for clear and conspicuous disclosures in printed advertisements set forth in 940 CMR 6.01: Clear and Conspicuous(a) and (e), the following non-mandatory guidelines will be considered in determining if such disclosures are clear and conspicuous: 1. whether the disclosure is in close proximity to the infmmation which it modifies and is not obscured by any information which it does not modify; 2. whether the leading and spacing of the typeface or font used in the disclosure is of such size and appearance as to be readily noticed and legible; 3.
whether the disclosure is printed in letters which noticeably contrast with the background against which it appears; 4. when an asterisk or similar symbol is used to denote that a disclosure appears elsewhere in the advertisement, whether every asterisk in the advertisement appears as prominent as the disclosure it accompanies, whether the asterisk adjacent to the disclosure is of the same size and appearance as the original asterisk; 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR-49
6.01 : continued 940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 5. where a disclosure applies to an entire advertisement which consists ofmore than one page or to a significant number of identified products in the advertisement, that the disclosure appears on each page ofthe advertisement or in an area, or by reference to another page, in the advertisement, ifthe disclosure or reference, respectively, is readily noticeable by a reasonable person; 6. where the disclosures are made with respect to a particular product or service in an advertisement on the Internet, that all of the material terms of the disclosures must be prominentlyreferenced bythe seller and be accessible by the consumer before a purchase transaction can be completed.
(c) A disclosure is not clear and conspicuous if any material terms ofthe offer that affect the price of an item, impose conditions on acceptance of the offer, or affect the scope of eligibility for the promotion, prize or program, are not disclosed in the advertisement itself, but require reference to an outside source, including but not limited to those offers that specify: see store for details, see web site for details, call this number for additional details. (d) A material representation in a radio advertisement, in the audio portion of a television advertisement, or broadcast in any other audio medium is not clear and conspicuous unless: 1.
It is at an audible decibel level; 2. It is at a speed equal to or less than any other representation contained in the advertisement; and 3. No other words are used and no sounds are used which have the effect ofobscuring or distracting attention from the material representation, or disparaging its meaning or importance.
(e) A material representation, other than a material representation covered by the requirements of 940 CMR 6.09, 6.10 or 6.11, in the video portion of a television advertisement or appearing in any video medium, including videos accessible on or via the Internet, is not clear and conspicuous unless: 1. It contains letters of a color or shade that noticeably contrast with the background, and the background does not consist of colors and/or images which obscure or detract attention from the material representation or are disparaging to its meaning or importance; and 2. It appears on the screen for a time period reasonably sufficient for a viewer to read, given the length ofthe disclosure, but in any event, for at least three seconds.
(f) An advertisement containing a representation subject to the requirements of940 CMR 6.09, 6.10 or 6.1 I is not clear and conspicuous unless: 1. for a printed, written, typed or graphic advertisement, such material representation appears in type which is at least one-third the size of the largest type of information which it modifies; 2. for the video portion of a television advertisement, such material representation: a. contains letters ofa color or shade that noticeably contrast with the background, and the backgrounddoes notconsistofcolors and/orimages which obscure ordetract attention from the material representation or are disparaging to its meaning or importance; and b.
appears on the screen for a duration equal to at least one second for every three words of the material representation but in any event, not less than a total of five seconds.
3. for a radio advertisement or the audio portion of a television advertisement, such material representation complies with the requirements of940 CMR 6.01: Clear and Conspicuous(c). (g) It shall be an unfair or deceptive act or practice for a seller to use a disclosure set apart from the primary claim to which it refers, such as by use of an asterisked footnote, if such disclosure imparts a meaning that contradicts or materially alters the meaning ofthe term, statement or claim to which it refers. Comparative Price means the price or value of a product to which a seller is comparing his or her current price in any advertisement.
Disseminate means to publish, broadcast, deliver, circulate, mail, display, post, make available for access on or via the Internet, or otherwise distribute to a consumer. 12/25/09 (Effective 114/10) 940 CMR- 50
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.01: continued Dissemination Date means the earlier of: (a) the first date an advertisement is disseminated; or (b) the first date an advertisement takes effect. Hard Goods mean any electrical, mechanical or thermal item produced or distributed for sale to a consumer for use in or around a permanent or temporary household or residence or as a part for or an accessory to a motor vehicle and shall include, but not be limited to, air conditioners, audio-video equipment, computers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, dryers, electric blankets, electronic or mechanical games or toys, fans, freezers, humidifiers, motorized kitchen aids, ovens, radios, ranges, refrigerators, sports, recreational, hobby and exercise equipment, stereophonic equipment, televisions, and washers.
Material Representation means any oral, written, graphic or pictorial claim or statement, the disclosure ofwhich has the tendency or capacity to influence the decision ofreasonable buyers or reasonable prospective buyers whether to purchase the product Measurement Date means the Dissemination Date or the Submission Date, as determined by 940 CMR 6.04(3). Person means an association, a corporation, an individual, an institution, an organization, a partnership, a trust or any other legal entity. Price Comparison means the comparison in any advertisement (whetheror not expressed wholly or in part in dollars, cents, fractions, or percentages) ofa seller's current price for a product with any other price or representation ofvalue, whether or not such other price is actually stated in the advertisement.
Price comparison includes any price reduction claim or savings claim which a seller makes with respect to the seller's current price for any product. Product means any and all goods, whether tangible or intangible, real, personal or mixed and any and all services or franchise or distribution systems of any nature which are used for personal, family or household purposes.
Representation means any oral, written, graphic or pictorial claim or statement. Seller means any person who offers any product for sale, rental or lease. Seller includes any authorized representative of a seller; however seller shall exclude an individual not engaged in trade or commerce under M.G.L. c. 93A, who places a classified advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, on or via the Internet, or other publication. Submission Date means the most recent of: (a) the date an advertisement is submitted for publication or dissemination; or (b) the last date upon which changes can be made to the advertisement prior to publication or dissemination.
Trade Area means the geographic area where the seller's outlets are located and where the seller's advertisements are disseminated. A trade area may include a sales location in a state other than Massachusetts only if it is reasonably foreseeable that Massachusetts buyers would regularly purchase at such out-of-state locations; however, a seller may compare its price for a product or a class of products to the price(s) offered by a competitor outside ofMassachusetts for the same or similar products as long as the competitor is identified by location and name or by reputation in the advertisement, and the comparison complies with the provisions of 940 CMR 6.05(8) or (9).
6.02: Scope 940 CMR 6.00 shall apply to any advertisement, except those advertisements governed by 940 CMR 5.00: Motor Vehicle Regulations, 940 CMR 6.00 shall be in addition to 940 CMR 3.00: General Regulations. 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR- 51
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.03: Basic Principles (1) The responsibility for truthful and nondeceptive advertising rests with the seller. Sellers must be able to substantiate material representations made before such representations are disseminated. Sellers mustmaintainsufficientrecords pursuantto 940 CMR6.14 to substantiate the representations made in their advertisements in order that such substantiation can be made available to the Attorney General upon request.
The fact that the representations were made in information furnished to the seller by the manufacturer or distributor of a product shall be deemed sufficient substantiation for purposes of 940 CMR 6.03(1) if the seller repeated the representation in good faith reliance on that information.
(2) Sellers shall not use advertisements which are untrue, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, falsely disparaging of competitors, or insincere offers to sell. (3) An advertisement as a whole may be unfair or deceptive although each representation separately construed is literally true. (4) An unfair or deceptive representation may result not only from direct representations and the reasonable inferences they create, but from the seller's omitting or obscuring a material fact. 6.04: General Requirements (1) Misleading Representations. Itis an unfair or deceptive act for a sellerto make any material representation of fact in an advertisement ifthe seller knows or should know that the material representation is false or misleading or has the tendency or capacity to be misleading, or ifthe seller does not have sufficient information upon which a reasonable belief in the truth of the material representation could be based.
(2) Disclosure ofMaterial Representations. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to fail to clearly and conspicuously disclose in any advertisement any material representation, the omission of which would have the tendency or capacity to mislead reasonable buyers or prospective buyers. For purposes of 940 CMR 6.00, material representations which must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed shall include but are not limited to the following: (a) The fact that a mandatory fee in addition to the advertised price will be charged for any service such as delivery, handling, installation, or an initiation fee; (b) The an10unt ofany handling, service or other additional fee for an admission ticket to an entertainment event charged to any purchaser who purchases such ticket through a ticket service or similar entity otherthan the box office for the facility holding such eventwhenthe advertisement refers to the price of such ticket; (c) The fact that the product advertised is available for the advertised price only after the purchaser receives a rebate from the manufacturer of the product.
Ifthe advertised price includes a rebate, and either the rebate is in a form other than cash or check, then the seller must disclose the form ofthe rebate clearly and conspicuously in immediate proximity to the reference to the rebate and the advertised price; and if the rebate is available only after certain conditions or limitations are satisfied, then the seller must disclose all terms, conditions and limitations ofthe rebate, either at the point it is promoted, or otherwise by asterisked disclosure as described in 940 CMR 6.01: Clear and Conspicuous(b)4.; (d) The fact that the product advertised is used, rebuilt, remanufactured, reconditioned, imperfect, irregular or a second, unless the conteA.1: ofthe advertisement readily so indicates, such as an advertisement for sales ofused or consigned goods; (e) In the case ofhard goods, the fact that ahard good advertised has been discontinued by the manufacturer, ifthe seller knows: 1.
that there is a significant risk that the product will not have replacement parts and supplies essential to the operation ofthe product available during its average useful life or for three years after purchase, whichever is less; or 2. that the product has been discontinued and either: a. is the subject of a notice from the manufacturer that the manufacturer will voluntarily add a safety improvement to the product; or 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR- 52
6.04: continued 940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL b. lacks safety improvements that the manufacturer either has agreed to make or has been required to make by a regulatory agency; provided, however, that no product subject to a recall pursuant to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 or the Federal Hazardous Substances Act may be sold or distributed within the Commonwealth after a recall notice has issued and the seller has had a reasonable opportunity to comply, not to exceed three calendar days. (f) In the case of hard goods individually identified for sale in any advertisement, the manufacturer's name or trade name, the seller's proprietary trademark, or if a seller is prohibited by law or by contract from using the manufacturer's name or trade name in an advertisement, the phrase famous brand names or any similar phrase, and the model number of any hard goods, unless it is the only model of the hard good currently being sold in the trade area or the item is not customarily identified and distinguished by its model number, or it is being offered for sale at a price under $50.
(g) The fact that the product advertised at a stated price does not include parts, accessories or equipment customarily included and necessary or usual to the proper functioning, appearance, or use ofsuch product. (h) With respect to tags, labels and in-store signs: 1. a tag need only contain material representations regarding the price of an item; 2. a label need only contain material representations regarding the quality of an item; 3. an in-store sign need only contain material representations regarding the price or quality of an item.
(3) Time Periods. The validity of any material representation covered by 940 CMR 6.00 shall be determined, and all time periods set forth in 940 CMR 6.00 shall be measured, as of the dissemination date of the advertisement.
However, a seller may base a material representation on the submission date of the advertisement provided that the seller has a good faith basis, founded on its own past and present selling practice or that ofother sellers in its trade area, for believing that the material representation made in the advertisement will be true as of the dissemination date of the advertisement and during the effective period ofthe advertisement. 6.05: Price Comparison and Savings Claims (1) Declaration ofPolicy. Price comparison advertising is a form ofadvertising usedin the sale ofproducts whereby current prices are compared with the seller's former or future prices, the prices of other sellers, or other stated values to demonstrate price reductions or cost savings.
While price comparisons which accurately reflect market values in the trade area provide consumers with useful information in making buying decisions, price comparisons based on false, arbitrary or inflated prices or values deceive or mislead the public. Abuse also occurs when sellers fail to disclose material information which is important to enable consumers to understand the price comparison.
It is the intent of 940 CMR 6.00 to ensure that the comparative price used in any price comparison advertisement provides accurate information and meaningful guidance to the consumer, and to this end 940 CMR 6.05(1) through (17) are to be liberally construed. (2) Unidentified Price Comparisons. (a) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to state orimply that it is offering any savings as to any product by making a direct or indirect price comparison, unless the seller clearly and conspicuously describes the basis for the price comparison. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a seller may claim a savings or compare a higher and a lower price without disclosing the basis for the comparison ifthe seller is comparing to its own former price.
In such a case, the provisions of 940 CMR 6.05(3) will be applied for the purpose of determining the seller's former price.
(b) Terms such as formerly, regularly, originally, or terms of similar meaning shall mean the seller's own former price, as determined in accordance with 940 CMR 6.05(3). Advertisements containing such language shall be construed under such 940 CMR 6.05(3). 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR- 53
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.05: continued (3) Comparison to Seller's Own Former Prices. (a) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to compare its current price with its former price for any product, unless such former price is a bonafide, actual price at which the seller offered the product to the public, openlyand in good faith for a reasonablysubstantial period oftime in the recent past.
The burden shall be on the seller to show that its fom1er price is not an inflated or exaggerated price, and that the seller offered the product to the public at the former price openly and in good faith. The following factors may be considered in determining whether the seller has met its burden of demonstrating that its former price is a bonafide, actual price: 1. whether the former price exceeds the seller's usual and customary retail mark-up for similar merchandise; 2. whether the sellercompares its current price to its former price when the sellerknows at the time it sets the former price that no sales, or very few sales, will be made at such former price; 3.
whether the former price substantially exceeds the price at which a reasonable number ofnon-discount sellers offer the product in the seller's trade area; 4. where a manufacturer's suggested retail price or a list price exists for the product, whether the former price exceeds such price; 5. whether the product was openly and actively offered in the recent, regular course of business, suchas bydevotingreasonable displayspace to theproduct during theperiod(s) inwhich it was at the former price, maintaining reasonable inventory during former price periods, or advertising the product at the former price; and 6.
the duration ofany sales offering the current price or a different discounted price for the product, as compared to the duration ofthe offer at the former, non-sale price. (4) Safe Harbor for Comparison Prices.
(a) Without limiting the general requirements described in 940 CMR6.05(3), a former price shall qualify as a bonafide, actual former price if: 1. during the six months preceding the dissemination date ofan advertisement ofa price comparison, the former price was charged with respect to 40% of sales ofthe item; 2. the former price was offered openly and in good faith for the 14 days immediately preceding the dissemination date of an advertisement of a comparison price; or 3. the former price was offered openly and in good faith for at least 28 days during the 90 days immediately preceding the dissemination date of an advertisement of a price comparison, or during any other 90 day period within the 12 months preceding the dissemination date of an advertisement of a price comparison, provided the advertisement clearly discloses the date, time or seasonal period ofsuch offer (e.g.: last season).
(b) Notwithstanding 940 CMR 6.05(3)(a), it shall not be an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to advertise a sale that involves a substantial portion of the products in a store or department, even if the sale covers some products with respect to which a general price comparison made inthe advertisementfails to meetthe requirements of940 CMR6.05(3)(a), provided that such products do not constitute a substantial portion of all products involved in the sale. (c) Notwithstanding 940 CMR 6.05(3)(a), it shall not be an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to offer a product in accordance with an advertised price policy whereby prices are reduced by a set amount or percentage on a pre-set schedule.
(d) Notwithstanding 940 CMR 6.05(3)(a), it shall not be an unfair or deceptive act for a seller, after offering a productat a discounted or reduced price, not to revert to a higher price when the item will remain at the reduced price or further discounted or reduced price until it is removed from inventory as part of a clearance, closeout, permanent markdown, or permanent price reduction. (5) Introductoiy Offers and Future Price Comparisons. (a) Except for a health club as defined in M.G.L. c. 93, § 78, it is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to make an introductory offer or to compare its current price for a product with the price at which the product will be offered in the future, unless: 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR- 54
6.05: continued 940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL I. the future price takes effect immediately after the sale is over and not later than 60 calendar days after the dissemination date ofthe introductory offer or price comparison; and 2. following the date the future price takes effect the product is offered openly and in good faith in Massachusetts at the future price for a period of time that is at least equal to the period of time that it was offered at the introductory price, but not less than 14 days, except where compliance becomes impossible because of unforeseeable circumstances beyond the seller's control which the seller is able to document.
(b) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a health club as defined in M.G.L. c. 93, §78, to make an introductory offer or to compare its current price for a service with the price at which the service will be offered in the future unless: 1. the seller clearly and conspicuously discloses the type(s) of membership(s) or contract(s) to whichthe introductory offer orprice comparison applies, ifthe introductory offer or price comparison does not apply to each type ofmembership or contract sold by the seller; 2. the future price takes effect immediately after the introductory offer or sale is over and not later than 150 calendar days after the dissemination date ofthe introductory offer or price comparison; 3.
the future price is maintained for at least 90 days immediately after the introductory offer or sale is over, and, in the case ofpre-opening sales, the future or a higher price is maintained continuously for at least 90 days following the opening ofthe facility; 4. the seller complies with all ofthe disclosure requirements ofM.G.L. c. 93, § 84; and 5. in the case of pre-opening introductory offers or sales, the seller provides each purchaser with a written pre-opening price protection guarantee which states that: a. the price for which the contract for health club services is being offered or sold is the lowest price currently available for that type ofmembership or contractat that facility; b.
the future price will take effect on or before a date certain specified in the contract regardless ofwhether the facility opens for business on that date; c. the price may or may not go up significantlybetween the date the consumer signs the contract and the date the future price takes effect; and d. if, on the date the future price is to take effect or at any time within 90 days thereafter, or in the case ofpre-opening sales, within 90 days follmving the opening of the facility, the actual selling price is less than the advertised future price, the seller will refund in cash, or, ifthe purchaser has not paid for his or her membership infull, will creditto the purchaser's account, the difference betweenthe lowest actual selling price and the advertised future price.
(c) 940 CMR 6.00 does not apply to introductory offers which are limited to :first-time purchasers of a service, if: 1. the introductory price represents at least a 10% savings from the price at which the seller is currently offering the service to non-first-time purchasers; 2. the seller has made at least 30% ofits sales to non-first-time purchasers at the higher price; 3, the number of sales made to first time purchasers ofthe service at the reduced price does not exceed the number ofsales made to non-first-time purchasers ofthe service at the higher price during any one month period that the offer is available to first time purchasers; and 4.
in the case of a seller with multiple locations in Massachusetts or in any adjacent state, the higher price must be the price at which non-first-time buyers are purchasing the service at the location making the offer, not at another location in the trade area. For purposes of 940 CMR 6.05(4)(c), a first-time purchaser is any person who responds to an advertisement offering, a. a reduction in the regular price being paid or the future price to be paid by other users ofthe service, ifsuch person purchases the service for the first time, or b. a promotion or price reduction to any person who purchases the service when they first visit the location offering the promotion or price reduction.
12/25/09 (Effective 114110) 940 CMR- 55
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.05: continued (6) Use of Sale Terminology. (a) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to use the words priced for sale, on sale, sale, selling out, clearance, reduced, liquidation, must sell, must be sacrificed, now only $X, or other words which state or imply a price savings unless: 1. The actual former price, or the actual reduction stated as a fraction or percentage of the former price, is clearly and conspicuously disclosed; or 2. The product offered for sale is being offered at a price at least I0% below the former price ofthe same product ifthe former price was $200 or less, or 5% below the former price ifthe former price was more than $200.
(b) Forpurposes of940 CMR 6.05 a seller's former price shall be determined in accordance with 940 CMR 6.05(3). (c) If a seller states a particular purpose or reason for a sale (for example, clearance, liquidation, must be sacrificed), then the seller must be able to substantiate that purpose or reason. (7) Use ofList Price or Similar Comparisons. (a) Seller's responsibility. Itis an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to compare its current price for a product with a list price, manufacturer's suggested retail price or term ofsimilar meaning, unless the list or manufacturer's suggested retail price is the price charged for the advertised product by a reasonable number of sellers in the seller's trade area as of the Measurement Date.
However, a seller may offer pre-ticketed merchandise containing comparisons to a list price or a manufacturer's retail price as long as such comparisons comply with the provisions of940 CMR 6.05(10)(b)2.
(b) Manufacturer's or franchisor's responsibility. It is an unfair or deceptive act for any manufacturer, :franchisor or distributor to compare in an advertisement the current price of any seller(s) with a listprice or suggested retail price or term ofsimilar meaning, unless such comparisons complies with the provisions of940 CMR 6.05(1O)(c). (8) Comparison to Other Seller's Price for Identical Product. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to compare the seller's price with aprice being offered by any other seller for an identical product, unless the stated higher comparative price is at or belowthe price at which the identical productis being offered inthe seller's trade areaas ofthe MeasurementDate, or has been offered during another period which is specifically identified, by either: (a) a reasonable number ofother sellers; or (b) other seller(s), the identity ofwhich is documented in the seller's records.
(9) Comparison to Seller's Own or Other Seller's Price for Comparable Product. Itis an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to compare the seller's price with the price at which it or any other seller is offering a comparable product unless: (a) The comparable product is being offered for sale as of the Measurement Date, or has previously been offered for sale during another period which is specificallyidentified, atthe stated higher comparative price by: I. the seller; 2. a reasonable number of other sellers in the seller's trade area; or 3. other seller(s) who are specifically identified in the advertisement; and (b) There are no substantial differences in quality, grade, materials, or craftsmanship between the comparable product and the product being offered for sale; and (c) Ifthe comparison is made to a comparable product sold by the seller, the comparative price is detennined in the same manner as a former price in accordance with 940 CMR 6.05(3).
(10) Price Comparisons on Price Tickets or Labels. (a) General. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a manufacturer to imprint or attach to a product any ticket or label (pre-ticket) containing a fictitious or inflated price which is capable ofbeing used by sellers as a basis for offering fictitious price reductions. It is also an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to order or request such a ticket or label. 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR-56
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.05: continued (b) Seller's Practices. 1. 940 CMR 6.05 governing price comparisons and savings claims applyto a seller's use ofprice comparisons on price tickets or labels.
2. A seller may offer a product for sale which has been pre-ticketed with a price by either a manufacturer who uses a list price or suggested retail price or another seller who refers to its own former price, when the seller does not know and could not reasonably determine whether such price comparisons are in compliance with 940 CMR6.05(7), (8), or (9), provided that: a. The seller has not requested, ordered or in any way induced the manufacturer or other seller to pre-ticket the product; and b. The seller does not advertise such price comparisons outside the store unless it can substantiate that the price comparisons comply with 940 CMR 6.05(7), (8), or (9), as applicable.
(c) Manufacturer's Practices. It is an unfair or deceptive practice for a manufacturer, franchisor or distributor to pre-ticket a product with a list price or suggested retail price or term ofsimilar meaning unless the manufacturer or non-retail distributor independently sets such price and the list price or suggested retail price is the price at which the manufacturer has the good faith intention that the product be sold. (11) Range of Savings or Price Reduction Claims. (a) It is an unfair or deceptive act to state or imply that any products are being offered for sale at a range of prices or at a range of percentage or fractional discounts unless: 1.
The highest price or lowest discount in the range is clearly and conspicuously disclosed and, ifin print, the type is at least the same size as the type size of the lowest price or highest discount in the range; 2. The number of items available at the lowest price or highest discount comprises a significantnumber ofthe items in the offering at the Measurement Date, which shall not be less than 10% of the items in the offering in the case of a sale that is not a department-wide or store-wide sale; 3. The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses inthe advertisement any material facts about the lowest priced or highest discounted products offered, the omission of which would have the tendency or capacity to mislead or deceive reasonable buyers or reasonable prospective buyers with respect to the description, size, grade or quality of such products; 4.
Ifa range ofdiscounts or price reductions is stated, the seller discloses the basis for the price comparison in accordance with 940 CMR 6.05(2) and (3); and 5. Ifthe price of a product is being compared to a range ofprices for an identical or comparable product in accordance with 940 CMR 6.05(8) or (9), the lowest price in the range of prices of the identical or comparable product is clearly and conspicuously disclosed and, if in print, the type is at least the same size as the highest price in the range.
(12) Use of Terms Wholesale or At Cost. (a) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to state or imply that any product is being offered at or near the seller's wholesale price or at cost or to use a term ofsimilar meaning unless the price is, in fact, either at or below the price paid by the seller at wholesale, or, in the case of a service, the seller's cost for the service excluding overhead and profit. (b) The following constitute violations of940 CMR 6.05(12)(a): I. A seller advertising a retail price as a wholesale price; or 2. A seller advertising a price as a factory or wholesale price where the price is not the price paid by a seller purchasing directly from the manufacturer.
(13) Use of Terms Two for the Price of One. Buy One - Get One Free. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to state or imply that products are being offered at the usual price of a smaller number of the same or a different product (for example, Four gallons of paint for the price ofthree or Buytwo pairs ofshoes and pay only the price for the higher priced pair) unless: (a) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses all material conditions which are imposed on the sale; and 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR- 57
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.05: continued (b) The price advertised as the usual price for the smaller number ofproducts is the seller's own former price as determined by 940 CMR 6.05(3); and (c) The products are ofsubstantially the same quality, grade, material and craftsmanship as the seller offered prior to the advertisement. (14) Use of Term ifPurchased Separately. (a) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to make any price comparison based on the difference between the price of a system, set or group of products and the price of the products if purchased separately (or words of similar meaning) unless: 1.
A reasonable number of sellers in the seller's trade area are currently offering the products as separate items at or above the stated separate purchase price as of the Measurement Date; or 2. The seller has actually sold or offered the products for sale as separate items at the stated separate purchase price in accordance with 940 CMR 6.05(3). (15) Prices for Parts or Units ofSets or Systems. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to advertise a price for any product which normally sells as part of a pair, system, or set without clearly and conspicuously disclosing that the price stated is the price per item or unit only, and not the price for the pair, system or set.
(16) Gifts. Itis an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to state or imply that any product is being offered for free or at a reduced price (a gift) in conjunction with the purchase ofanother product (primary product), unless: (a) The seller clearly and conspicuously identifies the gift in the advertisement; (b) The stated price of the primary product does not exceed the seller's former price, as defined in 940 CMR 6.05(3); (c) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses in the advertisement the value ofthe gift, with such value being determined according to: 1. 940 CMR 6.05(3) ifthe gift has been sold or offered for sale by the seller; or 2.
940 CMR 6.05(8) or (9) in all other instances, unless the gift is not commercially available; (d) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses in the advertisement all material conditions or limitations imposed by the seller as a prerequisite to receipt ofor on the use of the gift; and (e) The gift is provided to the buyer at the time the conditions are met, unless: 1. The advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses a specific later delivery date (for example, 20 days after the consumer satisfies the advertised conditions); or 2. The consumer agrees in writing to a specific later delivery date.
(17) Use of Disclaimers. The use in an advertisement of a price comparison prohibited by 940 CMR 6.00 is an unfair or deceptive act even ifthe advertisement also contains disclaimers or explanatory language.
6.06: Availability ofAdvertised Products (1) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to offer any product for sale when the seller does not have the product in stock or readily available for sale in sufficient quantities to meet reasonably anticipated demand at its retail locations in the trade area covered by the advertisement. (2) Notwithstanding the terms and provisions of940 CMR 6.06(1), it shall not be an unfair or deceptive act or practice to offer any product for sale ifthe seller does not have the product in stock or readily available for sale in sufficient quantities to meet reasonably anticipated demand at its retail location in the trade area covered by the advertisement when: (a) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses in the advertisement all specific exceptions, limitations or restrictions regarding the stores, products or prices applicable to the advertised offer, and: 1.
States the minimum quantity ofthe product available in each store; or 2. States that the quantity is limited, ifthat is the case. 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/l0) 940 CMR-58
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.06: continued (b) The seller has acted in good faith by ordering the advertised product in adequate time for delivery and in sufficient quantities to meet reasonably anticipated demand and: 1. offers a comparable product at a comparable savings, acceptable to the reasonable consumer and to all prospective buyers unable to purchase the advertised product; or 2. provides a rain check to eachprospective buyeratthe time ofthe attempted purchase, and the seller: a. informs the consumer as to when the rain check is reasonably expected to be honored, which date shall not be more than 60 days from the date ofissuance ofthe rain check unless the seller discloses in the advertisement that a longer period applies and specifically states the length ofsuch time period; b.
discloses to the consumer at the time the rain check is issued that: i. for a product advertised for $50 or more, the seller will make reasonable efforts to notify the consumer when the rain check item is available; or ii. for a product advertised for less than $50, the seller will not notify the consumer when the rain check product is available, ifthat is the seller's policy; and c. allows the consumer a reasonable redemption period to purchase the item; or (c) The seller has acted in good faith by ordering the advertised product in adequate time for delivery and in sufficient quantity to satisfy reasonably anticipated consumer demand.
Notwithstanding anythingcontained in 940 CMR 6.06, a seller shall be presumed notto have acted in good faith ifsuch seller has demonstrated a pattern or practice offailure to have the product in stock in sufficient quantities to satisfy reasonably anticipated consumer demand. The following shall serve as guidelines in determining whether the seller has acted in good faith within the meaning of 940 CMR 6.06(2)(c) when the seller does not have sufficient quantity to satisfy reasonably anticipated consumer demand: 1. the insufficient delivery ofthe advertised product to the seller is through no fault of the seller; or 2.
the product cannot be reordered under the original terms and conditions and the seller did not know or did not have reason to know that the product cannot be reordered; or 3. the product could not, with reasonable certainty, be delivered upon reordering in sufficient time to satisfy consumer demand.
(3) In addition to the requirements of 940 CMR 6.06(1), a seller must also correct an advertisement as required by 940 CMR 6.13. 6.07: Disclosure ofExpiration Dates It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to fail to disclose in an advertisement, other than a tag, label, or in-store sign, the earliest date upon which an offer terminates ifthe offer is for a limited period oftime. 6.08: Prizes It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to offer any product for free or at a reduced price (a prize), to a prospective buyer in conjunction with the prospective buyer's participation in a sales presentation or promotional contest, unless: (1) The seller clearly and conspicuously identifies the prize in the advertisement; (2) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses in the advertisement the value ofthe prize, with such value being determined according to: (a) 940 CMR 6.05(3) ifthe prize has been sold or offered for sale by the seller; or (b) 940 CMR 6.05(8) or (9) in all other instances, unless the prize is not conunercially available in which case the seller shall identify a value reasonably and in good faith; (3) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses in the advertisement the following material conditions or limitations imposed by the seller as a prerequisite to receipt ofor on the use ofthe prize.
Consistent with these provisions: 12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR- 59
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 6.08: continued (a) The seller shall clearly and conspicuously disclose the following material facts 1. Limitations on the geographic area covered by the offer; and 2. The day or dates the promotion commences and terminates. (b) The following material conditions or limitations, ifapplicable to the prize promotion, need not be disclosed in any advertisement, except each must be disclosed on any contest entry blank: l. That all entries must be complete to be eligible; 2. That entrants need not be present to win; 3. Thatpeople under 18 andpeople affiliated with the seller, sponsor or marketing agent are ineligible to enter the contest and/or win any of the prizes; 4.
Thatno substitutionwill be allowed and prizes may not be redeemed for cash or other consideration; 5. That a winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and a receipt; 6. That taxes, where applicable, are the sole responsibility ofthe winner; and 7. That the contest is void where prohibited by law; 8. The address at which individuals may request the identity of the prizewinners pursuant to 940 CMR 6.08(5)(c).
9. That upon \Vritten request, the seller is obligated to identify the winners ofthe prize, the name and the city or town ofresidence ofeach prize winner, the date ofreceipt ofthe prize, and the value of the prize. (c) Ifa prize promotion has any condition or limitation which materially differs from those listed in 940 CMR 6.08(3)(b), a seller must disclose such condition or limitation in any advertisement. (4) All other material conditions or limitations must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed in the official rules to be made available to the prospective buyer at the time and place ofentry or participation.
The seller shall notify the prospective buyer/entrant of the availability of such rules.
(5) In every prize promotion in which there is a risk that each person satisfying the conditions or limitations disclosed in the advertisement will not receive the advertised prize: (a) The seller shall clearly and conspicuously disclose in the advertisement the quantity of each prize offered; (b) The seller shall clearly and conspicuously disclose the numerical odds ofreceiving each prize or, ifthe odds cannot be reasonably calculated, the approximate number ofindividuals to whom the advertisement is disseminated or the fact that the odds of winning a prize are determined by the number of entries received; the fact that no purchase or payment is required to win a prize or to participate in a prize promotion and that any purchase or paymentwill not increase the person's chances ofwinning the prize; and the means by which an individual may enter the prize promotion without making a purchase; and (c) The seller shall by mail, ifso requested in writing, provide the name and the city or town ofresidence ofeach prize winner, the date ofreceipt ofthe prize, and the value ofthe prize.
(6) The prize is provided to the entitled consumer at the time the conditions are met, unless: (a) The advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses a specific later delivery date (for example, 20 days after the consumer satisfies the advertised conditions); or (b) The consumer agrees in writing to a specific later delivery date. 6.09: Availability ofFinancing It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to state or imply that financing is available at a specified rate ofinterest or upon other specified terms unless: (1) Financing at such rate or upon such terms is available to the public generally through the seller; or (2) The seller clearly and conspicuously discloses anyspecial conditions, terms, or criteria other than general creditworthiness which apurchasermustmeet in order to qualify for suchfinancing.
12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/10) 940 CMR-60
940 CMR: OFFICE OF THE ATTOR.t'l\JEY GENERAL 6. l 0: Compliance with Truth-in-lending Requirements It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller who advertises any finance terms to fail to comply with state and federal Truth-in-lending laws, M.G.L. c. 140D, § 1 and 15 U.S.C. § 1601. 6.11: Lease and Rent-to-own Transactions (1) Lease Transactions. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller who advertises the lease or rental of any product for personal, family, or household purposes to fail to comply with the Federal Consumer Leasing Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1667, and with the Massachusetts Consumer Lease Act, M.G.L.
c. 93, § 90 through 93, or to use any words which state or imply a limitation on the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. (2) Rent-to-own Transactions. It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to advertise the lease or rental ofany product on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis or for any minimum period of less than four months, with an option to purchase the product, unless the seller clearly and conspicuously discloses in the advertisement the time at which the option to purchase may be exercised and the total dollar amount which must be paid in order to own the product.
(3) Options to Buy. Ifa seller advertises the lease or rental ofany product and also advertises an option to purchase the product, then it is an unfair or deceptive act for the seller to fail to disclose clearly and conspicuously in each advertisement that the product is used, ifsuch is the case.
6.12: Limitations on Implied Warranties Prohibited It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller of a product purchased for personal, family, or household purposes to use any words or phrases which state or imply a limitation on the implied warranties ofmerchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, including phrases such as, as is, with all faults, and all sales final. However, a seller may adopt an all sales final return policy, ifit clearly and conspicuously discloses that policy in its advertisements and in-store signs and includes in such disclosures the following or substantially similar language: All Sales Final Except for Defective or Non-conforming Goods.
6.13: Corrections (1) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller, manufacturer, :franchisor or distributor who discovers a material error in an advertisement prior to the submission date ofthe advertisement to fail to promptly correct any material misrepresentation in the advertisement. (2) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller, manufacturer, :franchisor or distributor who discovers a material error in an advertisement subsequent to the submission date of the advertisement to fail to either honor the terms of the advertisement prior to correction, or to promptly correct any material misrepresentation by clearly and conspicuously disclosing the information necessary to eliminate such misrepresentation in the same advertisement or, if not feasible, in the same advertising medium, if reasonable, and as close thereto in both proximity and time as reasonably possible, or, if neither of these options is feasible, in a posting in the store, both atthe entrance to the store and close in proximity to the advertised product or through other reasonable means of communications (e.g., by a telephone sales associate for a catalog purchase priorto takingthe order).
Examples ofmisrepresentations requiring correctioninclude, but are not limited to, information relating to prices, product descriptions or availability of products.
(3) It is an unfair or deceptive act for a seller to fail to honor the terms of an advertisement which contains a material error, prior to posting in the store a correction ofthe material error, in close proximity to the advertised product, unless the material error is a gross error or unless the selleroffers a comparableproduct at comparable savings, acceptable to the reasonable consumer and to all prospective buyers unable to purchase the advertised product until the corrected information has been posted within the store. A gross error shall have the same meaning as provided in 940 CMR 3.00.
12/25/09 (Effective 1/4/l0) 940 CMR- 61
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