BBC Micro specialist Watford Electronics has achieved the dubious distinction of three separate mentions in the latest report from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Two complaints, concerning the price of its disk interface kit and the legality of its modem, were upheld by the ASA. A third complaint, about the compatibility of Watford's disk filing system ROM with Acorn's DFS, was turned down by the ASA after taking technical advice.
Watford fell foul of the ASA on its modem because the law requires any advertiser of equipment designed to be attached to the telephone system to make clear whether or not the equipment is approved for that purpose. At the time of the complaint Watford had not received approval.
Watford has since told the ASA that it has obtained the required approvals and that future advertising will carry the appropriate 'approved' symbol.
On its disk interface kit, Watford slipped up by advertising the price as £95 and then charging someone £150 for it.
Watford told the ASA that it did mention in the advertisement that prices were subject to change without notice. The ASA countered that it was "nonetheless concerned that the advertisers had chosen to advertise the product at a price which could not necessarily be maintained".
The company has given an undertaking that future adverts would indicate that the price would be available on application.
25th August 1984
