OOB Smarthome India Private Limited - OOB Smarthome India Private Limited

Recommendation: Upheld | Medium: Suo Motu - NAMS (TAMS)

The ASCI had approached the advertiser for its response in addressing the objections raised in the complaint. The advertiser was offered an option to seek an Informal Resolution (IR) of the complaint by modifying or withdrawing the claim in the advertisement, or alternately to substantiate the claim with supporting data. The advertiser was also offered an opportunity for a telecon with the ASCI Secretariat, which they did not avail and replied requesting for additional time to submit their response.

However, as a special gesture the advertiser was granted an extension of four business days to respond.

The advertiser requested for the complaint details and supporting material to enable an internal review and stated that a detailed response would be submitted after reviewing the relevant documents.

The advertiser was provided the complaint details and requested to submit its response along with relevant substantiation. However, no response was received from the advertiser.

The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) viewed the Website advertisement (https://www.oobsmarthome.com/shipping_and_delivery.php), considered the complaint, and the advertiser’s response. The CCC observed that the advertiser did not provide supporting data for the claim made.

In the absence of claim support data, the CCC concluded that the claim, “India's No.1 and Most Trusted Home Automation Brand”, was not substantiated, and is misleading by exaggeration. The source and date for the claim is not indicated in the advertisement. The said claim in the advertisement contravened Chapter I, Clauses 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 of the ASCI Code. This complaint was UPHELD.