Taxi Driver Online

Well this is quite interesting

Below is just the FreeNow related bit and the general stuff, and not the specifics of the five other complaints.

But it's the kind of point I've made a zillion times on here, so maybe proving that I'm right at least some of the time

But it's the classic 'up to' qualifier on the figures, therefore...

That could mean an exceptionally busy week, with a driver working 100 hours, or whatever...

And it's the classic 'earn' word, or similar, which is probably gross fares rather than profit.

A driver could 'earn' £500 a week in takings but in reality make nothing because of the various expenses


Watchdog upholds complaint by taxi drivers against 'misleading' Free Now ad

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-n ... g-32242098

Six Irish adverts were found to have breached the standards code

Six advertisements were found to have breached the advertising standards code on grounds related to a wide range of issues.

This week, the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland’s (ASAI) independent Complaints Committee has released its latest Complaints Bulletin with six case reports on complaints recently investigated by the organisation.

Complaints were made against Free Now, An Post, Emerald Park, Phonewatch and more. Advertisements online, out of home, social media and radio were found to be in breach of the ASAI Code on grounds relating to misleading, substantiation, promotional marketing practices and alcoholic drinks.

Commenting on the latest ASAI rulings, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the ASAI, stated: “The range and nature of advertisements in the latest complaints bulletin from the ASAI demonstrates the importance of our role to the Irish advertising industry, ensuring that advertisements are legal, truthful, decent and honest for all consumers.

“Ad complaints are assessed against the comprehensive Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications, and where appropriate, investigated.

“A portion of complaints are brought to the Independent Complaints Committee to decide whether a breach of the Code has occurred. High levels of compliance with these decisions, together with ASAI requests for ad amendments, demonstrates the industry’s commitment to high standards and responsible advertising.”

Here is a list of six advertisements that have been found to be in breach of the ASAI Code:

Free Now - Transport (Buses exterior) and Instagram

‌Misleading / Substantiation

‌The advertisement which appeared on bus exteriors featured an image of a man leaning out of a car door.

‌The text accompanying the image read “EARN UP TO €1,300 a WEEK. FREENOW The Mobility Super APP.”

‌The advertisement on Instagram featured a similar text: “EARN UP TO €1,300 a WEEK. FREENOW.

“Take full control of your time and your earnings. Drive your way to €1,300 a week”. 33 complaints were received in relation to the advertisement.

Issue one:

The majority of complaints were from taxi drivers. The complainants believed the earning potential referenced in the advertisement was misleading.

The complainants said the figure mentioned was not achievable and gave a false impression that those working in the taxi industry were earning more than their actual income.

They claimed it would not be possible to make this amount of money per week without working additional hours. The complaint was upheld.

Issue two:

Some complainants considered that the amount referenced in the advertisement was misleading as it wasn’t stated whether the amount referenced was net or gross. They said it also appeared that additional deductions such as commission to the advertisers and additional costs such as fuel, licence fees etc., may not have been taken into consideration when referencing earning potential.

‌The ASAI Executive undertook a basic analysis of the information provided which showed that 93 per cent was split nearly equally between €0 - €499 and €500 - €1,0000, with 10 per cent having earned between €1,000 and €1,299. The remainder, seven per cent, earned more than €1,300.

This was upheld in part. The committee noted that those who signed up for the platform were categorised as ‘sole traders’ and would therefore be responsible for their own tax affairs and costs such as fuel etc.

However, the advertisement did not make it clear that the ‘up to’ figure would have to take account of the app commission that was deducted from driver earnings.

It's maybe a bit clearer in the original document, but can't be bothered looking it up. But the analysis above is a bit confusing

In particular, it reads like the ASAI is saying that the figures are fine to quote gross before vehicle running costs etc because the drivers are self-employed/sole traders. But that the figures shouldn't be quoted before commission is deducted.

To that extent I'd disagree with the ASAI. I think 'earn' should be at least roughly equivalent to profit, thus all commission and expenses should be deducted before quoting figures for 'earnings'. As I said, you could take £500 in fares but make zero profit, thus I don't think it's right to say that you've 'earned' £500

I agree.

And shame on that firm, who I believe TfL view as 'fit and proper'.

Who clearly are not.

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IDFIMH