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Let Joe Know: Are BOGO offers really a deal?

Posted at 6:51 PM, Mar 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-21 00:39:31-04

Think "As Seen On TV".

You're likely thinking of an amazing cooking invention or cleaning product.

The Federal Trade Commission has been concentrating on how some of those products were sold.

Recently, the FTC issued refunds from a settlement involving Allstar Marketing Group.

That company is the maker of the Magic Mesh screen door, the Snuggie and other products sold through TV ads.

Allegations are there were hidden costs involving the buy one, get one free offers called BOGOs.

The FTC says in some cases, the commercials didn't spell out the "processing and handling" charge required for the "free" product.

And the lawsuit claims in some cases, customers couldn't decline the second product.

But BOGO offers have come under fire before.

Last year, the Better Business Bureau took away accreditation for the maker of "My Pillow."

25 million pillows have sold, many through through TV BOGO offers.

The BBB also gave the company an F saying the offers need to be limited and not ongoing.

The BBB said otherwise, it becomes the normal price, not a sale.

They eyeglass retailer Visionworks settled a class action lawsuit over a BOGO offer in two states.

The suit accused Visionworks of inflating the price of the first pair of glasses.

The allegation is that it partly covered the cost of the second supposedly "free" pair making it not actually "free."

Even Burger Kinghad a bogus BOGO offer according to another class action lawsuit and settlement.

The suit involved the breakfast Croisanwich, and a two for one coupon.

The suit claims some customers paid more for the two sandwiches than they would have paid for just one.

None of these companies admit wrongdoing.

Bottom line, make sure with any buy one get one offer that the regular price didn't increase.

And make sure the product is not always on sale.