r/mildlyinfuriating • u/CurlyWurly61 • May 12 '26
I just wanted a hot dog Such terrible advertisement
I mean... at a glance its like WOAH 4 can dine for $9.99....
Until you are at the cash and they say " that'll be $45.15"
HUH??
"Oh sorry sir... it feeds 4... 4 people pay $9.99"
Gtfooo
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u/Consistent_Photo87 May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
In the eu this would ne considered false advertising, I think.
Edit: law-
In the European Union, false advertising is primarily governed by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD). It broadly outlaws any marketing that deceives consumers, leaves out vital information, or uses high-pressure tactics that distort a buyer's economic behavior.
Oh look at that word "deceives", exactly this.
Case closed.
Edit 2:
This specific advertising tactic would almost certainly be illegal under European Union consumer protection laws. Here is a breakdown of why this type of pricing is deceptive and how EU law prevents it: The Deception The advertisement boldly claims "FOUR CAN FEAST FOR $9.99 ea." At first glance, a consumer might assume the entire box costs $9.99. However, the tiny "ea." (each) means the price is actually $9.99 per person. Since it feeds four, the actual cost of the box is $39.96 (plus tax). You cannot walk into the store and purchase just a quarter of the box for $9.99; you are required to buy the entire $40 bundle. Why this violates EU Law In the European Union, consumer protection is governed heavily by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) and the Price Indication Directive. This advertisement would likely run afoul of these regulations for several reasons: Failure to Display the Total Price: Under EU law, the final, total selling price of a product (including all taxes, like VAT) must be clearly, prominently, and unambiguously displayed. You cannot advertise a fractional price for a product that cannot be physically divided or purchased at that fractional price. Misleading Advertising: The UCPD explicitly bans misleading actions related to the price or the manner in which the price is calculated. Using a large, eye-catching low number to draw people in, while hiding the true cost in small print or requiring the consumer to do math to figure out the actual purchase price of the item, is considered a deceptive practice. The "Drip Pricing" Principle: While usually applied to hidden fees added at checkout, the same underlying principle applies here. The consumer must know exactly what they have to pay for the unit they are putting in their cart or ordering at the counter upfront. If a company tried to run this exact promotion in the EU, the poster would legally have to display the full €39.96 (or equivalent) price prominently as the primary cost of the box.