Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

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Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Oscar Wylee is accused of donating just 3,000 sunglasses to struggling 'people in need' - after selling over 300,000 and promising to donate 'one for every pair bought'
By Alana Mazzoni For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 05:08 GMT, 13 December 2019 | Updated: 08:38 GMT, 13 December 2019
Eyeware company Oscar Wylee has been accused of breaking a promise to donate 'one pair of glasses for every pair bought' to people in need.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has alleged in court that the company donated just 3000 pairs of glasses, when it actually sold more than 300,000 pairs in its supposed drive to help struggling people.

The ACCC has launched proceedings against the Australian-owned company in the Federal Court for alleged misleading or deceptive conduct and making false or misleading promises about its charitable donations.

The watchdog says between January 2014 and December 2018, Oscar Wylee advertised on its website, social media, in emails and in stores that for every pair of glasses sold to a customer, it would donate one pair to someone in need.

But the ACCC has alleged this wasn't the case - and Oscar Wylee only donated around 3,000 pairs of glasses, despite selling over 320,000 units in that time.

It has also claimed the company, who is popular with social media influencers, said it 'partnered' with Rose Charities to help build sustainable eye care programs in Cambodia, and fund a student's degree to become an eye surgeon.

However, the ACCC alleges that between at least January 2014 and December 2018, Oscar Wylee's entire association with Rose Charities was limited to a single $2,000 donation.

It's alleged Oscar Wylee didn't make any further donations or provide support to Rose Charities after February 2014, despite the partnership claims continuing to be made for almost five years.

'These alleged false or misleading claims presented Oscar Wylee as engaged in significant charitable activity, and exploited consumers' desire to support charitable causes,' ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

'Instead, we allege Oscar Wylee donated less than one per cent of the glasses it said it would.'
Between January 2014 and December 2018, Oscar Wylee advertised on its website, social media, in emails and in stores that for every pair of glasses sold to a customer, it would donate one pair to someone in need

'We are concerned that consumers may have chosen Oscar Wylee over other eyewear companies because they believed their purchase would result in Oscar Wylee providing glasses to people in need and supporting a sustainable eye care program in Cambodia.

'Businesses must ensure that if they make claims about their charitable donations, affiliations or partnerships, they are true and can be substantiated.'
Claims made by Oscar Wylee

'Buy a pair, give a pair’

‘For every pair purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need’

‘Buying a pair today? As soon as you do, we’ll donate a pair to someone in need’

‘We have partnered with Rose Charities which helps build sustainable eye care programs in Cambodia’
The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, injunctions, corrective publication orders and an order to implement a compliance program.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... pairs.html
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Brody
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Brody »

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:43 pm donating just 3,000 sunglasses to struggling 'people in need'
Struggling people in need require sunglasses?

If I were struggling and in need.....I don't think sunglasses would be on my list.......well, if they were, they would be near the bottom.
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Isaanbarang »

Brody wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:50 pm
CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:43 pm donating just 3,000 sunglasses to struggling 'people in need'
Struggling people in need require sunglasses?

If I were struggling and in need.....I don't think sunglasses would be on my list.......well, if they were, they would be near the bottom.
rotecting Your Eyes from Sun Damage | HealthyWomen
effect of sun on the eyes from www.healthywomen.org
Jul 12, 2555 BE · The intense ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun damage sensitive cells in the eyes, eventually affecting vision. ... However, a number of studies have shown that the effects build up and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life. These may include cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye.

I guess we all see things differently
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Anchor Moy »

Isaanbarang wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:21 pm
Brody wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:50 pm
CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:43 pm donating just 3,000 sunglasses to struggling 'people in need'
Struggling people in need require sunglasses?

If I were struggling and in need.....I don't think sunglasses would be on my list.......well, if they were, they would be near the bottom.
rotecting Your Eyes from Sun Damage | HealthyWomen
effect of sun on the eyes from www.healthywomen.org
Jul 12, 2555 BE · The intense ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun damage sensitive cells in the eyes, eventually affecting vision. ... However, a number of studies have shown that the effects build up and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life. These may include cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye.

I guess we all see things differently
That's what I was thinking too - there are a number of eye conditions where eyes are fragile and need (proper) sunglasses for protection.
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Clutch Cargo »

Anchor Moy wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:35 pm
Isaanbarang wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:21 pm
Brody wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:50 pm
CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:43 pm donating just 3,000 sunglasses to struggling 'people in need'
Struggling people in need require sunglasses?

If I were struggling and in need.....I don't think sunglasses would be on my list.......well, if they were, they would be near the bottom.
rotecting Your Eyes from Sun Damage | HealthyWomen
effect of sun on the eyes from www.healthywomen.org
Jul 12, 2555 BE · The intense ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun damage sensitive cells in the eyes, eventually affecting vision. ... However, a number of studies have shown that the effects build up and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life. These may include cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye.

I guess we all see things differently
That's what I was thinking too - there are a number of eye conditions where eyes are fragile and need (proper) sunglasses for protection.
Assuming the struggling 'people in need' in fact wear them as opposed to selling them for food and board..
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Isaanbarang »

If they didn t get them anyway it is all pure conjecture. Mr Sunglasses is an #sshole for not living up to his word, defrauding the poor and claiming to do good.
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Ot Mean Loi »

Given the very high prevalence of both early onset cataracts and pterygium in Cambodia's rural poor, the giving of sunglasses by eye care NGOs and others is a very worthwhile and meaningful donation to people who would otherwise not get effective UV protection in the course of their normal working day outdoors. Past personal experience in this area tells me that good quality sunglasses, not expensive when bought in bulk, also become something of a status symbol with the rural and remote poor people, so much so in fact that they frequently refuse to remove the various labels and stickers on the quality sunglasses donated to them.

There is also another benefit from such donations. By wearing sunglasses when driving/riding motorcycles foreign object damage to eyes is greatly reduced.

Then there are the post operative benefits to those that have undergone eye surgery for cataract and pterygium wearing donated sunglasses.

Please do not scoff at the very practical contribution to eye care protection that the donation of effective UV
sunglasses make to preserving vision for the rural and remote people of Cambodia.

In January 2020 I shall, once again, be involved in this and related pro bono medical, surgical, dental and ophthalmic activities assisting the poorest of the poor. Many of whom will have travelled many hours to get to us for free medical examinations and treatment and pharmaceuticals appropriate to their needs. And once arrived, will wait very patiently for many hours for their turn to be examined and treated.

OML
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Anchor Moy »

^ Yes, it's easy to forget that sunglasses are originally designed for eye protection, not just to look cool. 8)
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Brody »

That's why I love CEO....

....more often than not, I come away learning something new.

Before today, I had no idea that access to sunglasses was a critical and urgent need in third world countries.

Though, to be honest.....when considering which support and aid projects I may donate money and/or time to......my first choices will still be those aiding in access to clean drinking water, medicine and literacy programs.

But rest assured, sunglasses will come in a strong 4th from this day forward.

Thanks gents :thumb:
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Re: Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians

Post by Clutch Cargo »

If the accusations are found to be true, I hope the full force of the law will brought against this company for misleading customers to think their purchases were also providing donations to the poor. Tantamount to fraud..
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