9361 Wilfully misleading the buyers?

The next time you're on a Ryanair flight, take a look at the new issue of their in-flight magazine. Specifically, take a look at page 13.
I picked it up yesterday on a flight home from London and noticed a full page ad [by a property company] for new 'beach front' properties in Calabria - "The new Riviera". Image attached, below.

Nothing new there I suppose. However, I was a little puzzled by the main image they were using to sell the package. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this Portofino? I'm pretty sure it is. I've been there and I know it's nowhere near Calabria.

After a bit of a snigger I continued reading. But then I thought about it a little bit more and wondered. Is this just all in a day's work [in advertising]? Is this normal and acceptable? Or, more serious, are they wilfully misleading potential buyers? Am I being pedantic?

Category
Property Sales/Rental Advice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 10:16

who was the developer?? Medsea !!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 10:50

It's definitely Portofino, so unless they've moved it recently, it couldn't be much further away! Trade descriptions act springs to mind......................

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 11:37

On the right side of the photo that isn't of Calabria there's a column headed, "Italian law guarantees you a safe investment".

What's that about then? Is there a law in Italy that you can't lose money on property? :eerr:

Al

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 12:05

[quote=AllanMason;87876]On the right side of the photo that isn't of Calabria there's a column headed, "Italian law guarantees you a safe investment".

What's that about then? Is there a law in Italy that you can't lose money on property? :eerr:

Al[/quote]

Only if you are one of the following:
Estate Agent :yes:
Geometra :yes:
Builder :yes:

Maybe I should have put this in the Friday Joke thread

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 13:07

It's most definitely Portofino. I can nearly see the table where I had pizza in 1997!
Doesn't say much for their development if they have to use pics of Portofino!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 17:21

Definitely, it is Portofino. I can also see the restaurant where we usually stop for lunch when driving from Antibes to Bagni di Lucca. No doubt about it. Some people are really terrible when it comes to misleading advertising. Shameful!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 21:41

No doubt, that is Calabria!!

How dare anyone even pretend it is not so!!

When in Rome.............etc..........................!

Is that not the beauty of it all????

Really, if someone is so silly to buy without visiting what they are buying...well, so be it.

Here, it may be very dubious marketing but the buyer will hardly buy without visiting and seeing the truth???????

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 07:30

Now dont be like that Ive just sold a cottage near to the beach for a good price , without the buyer having visited or seen it other than in photo's. Were not all dishonest.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 20:51

I honestly find anyone who buys a property without seeing it in person a very strage specie!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 02:17

Odds are it's a stock image. They found a pretty picture that had cheap use rights. The person putting the ad doesn't know [or care] any better.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 08:15

And does the advert say ...."A short walk to the beach...." If I had a copy of the advert I would report those advertising to Advertising Standards. This sort of thing just gives Calabria a bad name.