Consumer Law at Your Fingertips

advertising & sales claims

"Free" and Combination Offers

Wisconsin Statutes section 100.18 prohibits deceptive advertising and sales practices, including deceptive “free” or combination offers:

• A seller who advertises a “free” offer must disclose attached conditions, if any. For example, if a consumer must buy something or listen to a sales pitch in order to get a “free” gift, the seller must disclose that fact.

• If a seller offers a “free” bonus gift to consumers who buy a product or service, the seller may not increase the normal price of the purchased item in order to cover the cost of the “free” gift.

• If a seller offers a bonus item with a purchase, the seller must disclose the total price unless the purchase is at the “regular” price (see Wisconsin Statutes section 100.18(2)).
  
  
• For more information, see Fraudulent Representations details.