Best Reader Tips of 2021
This year reader tips led to dozens of ad alerts, as well as a complaint to regulators.
In 1996, the FTC brought an administrative action against New Balance Athletic Shoes, Inc. for making deceptive U.S.-origin claims about its sneakers. Since at least 2009, the company has marketed some of its sneakers as Made in the USA despite the fact that up to 30% of the shoes’ domestic value is from imported materials.
For example:
https://www.instagram.com/p/7VQHRyzUt0/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/6VufwmzUs_/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/t-txVpzUh7/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/s_YmLATUq4/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/raAbC1TUuA/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/qCaQu6zUs6/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/ptabyQTUlh/ (archived, video)
https://www.instagram.com/p/pK3_WwTUuC/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/mXeYmDTUux/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/ZVwgc3TUsD/ (archived)
https://www.instagram.com/p/QF0zOVzUuT/ (archived)
Even where the company qualifies its U.S.-origin claims, the qualifying language is not clear and conspicuous. By way of example, the Made in US 997 sneaker is marketed as Made in the USA yet the qualifying language — “New Balance Made is a premium collection that contains a domestic value of 70% or greater.” — is located beneath the Add to Cart button, rendering the disclosure language legally insufficient.
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New Balance: Running Afoul of the Law
New Balance labels some of its shoes as “Made in USA.” Here’s why that’s a problem.
TINA.org Files FTC Complaint Against New Balance for Deceptive Made in USA Marketing
MADISON, CONN. September 20, 2021 – According to the latest investigation by consumer advocacy organization truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org), New Balance is deceptively marketing some of its athletic shoes as “made in…