Australian Eyeware Company Accused of Falsely Claiming to Help Poor, Including Fund for Cambodians
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:43 pm
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.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... pairs.html
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.'
The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, injunctions, corrective publication orders and an order to implement a compliance program.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’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... pairs.html