Question : Case Study 33:
A consumer purchased a laptop and found that the technical specifications were misrepresented in the advertisement. The consumer feels cheated and wants to take action against the manufacturer. Which authority can the consumer approach for redressal?
Option 1: District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum
Option 2: State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Option 3: Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
Option 4: National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Correct Answer: Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
Solution : The correct answer is (c) Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) is a self-regulatory body that oversees advertising in India. It has a code of conduct that advertisers are expected to follow, and it investigates complaints about misleading advertising.
However, the first step for a consumer who has been misled by an advertisement is to complain to ASCI. If ASCI finds that the advertisement is misleading, it will ask the advertiser to withdraw it. If the advertiser does not withdraw the advertisement, ASCI can publish its findings on its website, which can damage the advertiser's reputation.
