I agree with the line of thought that Koolaid mentioned.

It can be argued that this type of advertising is a form of "bait and switch",
which is considered fraud and illegal.

The bait is "the product is free", and the switch is "no it is not. part of it is free."

"Bait and switch advertising" in a Google search (without the quotes) includes these results:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait_and_switch
http://news.cnet.com/Dell-sued-over-...3-5587443.html

Even if somehow this advertisement fits clauses of existing/current law (which is usually not conclusive until a lawsuit is filed and it is tried in a court of law; at least in the US), then it could still be argued that the law clauses may not be sufficient to cover this situation.

If you ask me, regardless of what the clauses of laws are,
in a universal sense, it is wrong because it is "misleading".

Quote Originally Posted by Koolaid View Post
Please don't say it's free. It isn't. You know that.

It's a form of advertising. Where the company advertises a product, say "a turkey dinner," as you have said and sell it as free.

Well, for one, it's not free. When a company buys a product from anyone they're given a base price of sorts, well that "turkey dinner" was originally $30.

Now the grocery store sells it at $45 (Profit margin of 50%).

When a company advertises a buy 1 get 1 free they're actually not incurring any cost, nor are they recieving a profit from the ptoduct.

The whole purpose of the method is to draw you into the store to make you want to buy something else.

Here's another example, milk, eggs, butter. Always at the back of the store.

Why?

Because marketing knows that people like to eat. If someo sees something they want to eat, they'll buy it.

So, what it all comes down to is a bit of trickary of sorts.


Oh, and if I'm not mistaken I think there's some legislation on advertising something as free, by which case it's illegal.

You're not advertising a "buy 1 get 1 free" deal. You're advertising a 100% free product, which isn't true until you take. Closer look.

For example, look at ceral advertisements on T.V. They can't say it's healthy for you, but they can say it's part of a nutrional breakfest.

Not the same as this "Free" offer that you have.