Discount Code Clarification For Bloggers

[aaclapham]

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Hello

Could someone is clarify this senario for me please?

I get sent a discount code by a merchant with a nice creative so I blog about it with unique content about the merchant and put the discount code with an expiry date. (There is no click to reveal etc - all the information is there for everyone to read)

Once the code is expired am I allowed to keep that post or am I ment to delete the post ?

Thanks

[mattb811]

Hi Andrew,

The IAB guidelines state that "When a code has expired it must either be removed or the fact that it has expired must be clearly stated in writing".

We appreciate that affiliates will want to retain the copy but are keen to ensure that consumers are not being misled by believing there is a code when there isn't.

Hope this clarifies.

Matt

[toast8172]

put the discount code with an expiry date.

So would this mean the post could stay live as the expiry date would be clearly shown?
Cheers
Paul

[aaclapham]

No, I still think you have to go back after the expiry date and put an additional line in the post "Code is now expired"

[Cheapdvds]

if there is a expiry date clearly shown then in my opinion that is fine

no need to go back and change anything a customer should know what a expiry date means

or you could just automate things

[ash]

if there is a expiry date clearly shown then in my opinion that is fine

no need to go back and change anything a customer should know what a expiry date means

or you could just automate things

Thats not how the guidelines read though.

Changing the subject slightly:- How do the regulations govern merchants who display voucher codes, i know of several large'ish retailers whos landing pages are showing invalid codes with no mention of expiry dates or that the codes are now invalid.

I also know that the merchants are aware that the pages are out of date, yet don't remove them / update them / etc etc

[mattb811]

Changing the subject slightly:- How do the regulations govern merchants who display voucher codes, i know of several large'ish retailers whos landing pages are showing invalid codes with no mention of expiry dates or that the codes are now invalid.

I also know that the merchants are aware that the pages are out of date, yet don't remove them / update them / etc etc

These merchants are not affiliates so the code does not affect them at all.

[ash]

These merchants are not affiliates so the code does not affect them at all.

Ahh thanks, silly me, of course the clue is in the name!

[Cheapdvds]

Thats not how the guidelines read though.

depends whos reading them

if the current date has past the date that you have displayed next to the code then i believe it is clear that that code has expired.

they are GUIDELINES and not rules

[Cheapdvds]

These merchants are not affiliates so the code does not affect them at all.

why not?

i never signed upto the IAB but it supposedly still affects me

[ian]

I never voted for Labour, but it still affects me.

The networks agreed to the IAB guidlines, so if you want to play you have to do it by their rules.

[Cheapdvds]

"some of the networks agreed to the guidelines, so if you want to play you have to do it by the guidelines"

im not disagreeing but people are not playing by the guidelines and why should it only affect affiliates

[Hero]

How do the regulations govern merchants who display voucher codes, i know of several large'ish retailers whos landing pages are showing invalid codes with no mention of expiry dates or that the codes are now invalid.

I also know that the merchants are aware that the pages are out of date, yet don't remove them / update them / etc etc

If a merchant is misleading their own customers, that's for the ASA to investigate. The AMC is here to monitor how affiliates promote the merchants.

[HOLIDAY-TIME]

Thats not how the guidelines read though.

Changing the subject slightly:- How do the regulations govern merchants who display voucher codes, i know of several large'ish retailers whos landing pages are showing invalid codes with no mention of expiry dates or that the codes are now invalid.

I also know that the merchants are aware that the pages are out of date, yet don't remove them / update them / etc etc

Then imagine you are a future customer........
How would you feel if you have landed on a page with a invalid code(s),i would think twice about buying from them...

so is the damage it could cause or does cause really worth it, for eigher being too lazy to amend the codes or basically tricking people.

HT