Business ProfileforHouse Hold Citi Puppy

BBB promotes truth in advertising by contacting advertisers whose claims conflict with the BBB Code of Advertising. These claims may come to our attention from our internal review of advertising, consumer complaints and competitor challenges. BBB asks advertisers to prove their claims, change ads to make offers more clear to consumers, and remove misleading or deceptive statements.

On 10/26/2022, the BBB tried to contact the business regarding their advertised products on their website. The BBB has asked the business to substantiate that they are currently a licensed pet seller and to provide documentation. The business advertised a price comparison with slashed pricing without disclosing what the comparison. In addition, BBB asked the business to substantiate that the testimonials and health Guarantee  as required by BBB’s Code of Advertising.

The business advertised the following product on their website:

https://householdpops.com/about-us/

“Home Puppies has been operating since 2008, and the owners have been breeding dogs since 2004.”

https://householdpops.com/health-guarantee/

“Health Guarantee – 10 Year Warranty

Important First Steps

Initial Health Guarantee

10 Year Congenital Warranty

Prescriptions:

We offer the following prescription reimbursement if diagnosed within 10 days of taking possession.”

https://householdpops.com/services/

“Home Puppies is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Our veterinary technician team members are Pet CPR and First Aid Certified, professionally affiliated, and veterinarian recommended. We are commited to providing the absolute gold standard in at-home pet care. Our convenient online software makes scheduling with us a breeze, and we stay in touch so you'll always be connected with your pets, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for a pet sitter for your next weekend getaway, a professional dog walker to add some enrichment to your pooch's day, or someone to help ensure your buddy continues to recuperate even when you can't be there, City Puppy has got you covered!”

https://householdpops.com/reviews/

“It was a pleasure getting our first puppy for our new home. The sales associate Danelle was super helpful and made the process of getting our first new puppy a great experience. We are satisfied with everything and i anyone is in town looking for a new puppy this is the place to come.”

https://householdpops.com/product/adjustable-pet-recovery-collar-comfy-us-patented-product-soft-edge-plastic-dog-cone-anti-bite-lick-wound-healing-safety-practical-protective-e-collar/

Adjustable Pet Recovery Collar Comfy , US Patented Product Soft Edge Plastic Dog Cone Anti-Bite Lick Wound Healing Safety Practical Protective E-Collar

$13.99 $10.99

The BBB Code of Advertising States:

1. Basic Principles of the Code

1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publication or broadcast. Upon request, they should present such substantiation promptly to the advertising medium or BBB.

1.2 Advertisements which are untrue, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, falsely disparaging of competitors, or insincere offers to sell, shall not be used.

1.3 An advertisement as a whole may be misleading by implication, although every sentence separately considered may be literally true.

1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but by omitting or obscuring a material fact.

2. Comparative Price, Value and Savings Claims

BBB recognizes that truthful price information helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions and that comparative price advertising plays an important role in promoting vigorous competition among retailers. At the same time, misleading or unsubstantiated pricing claims injure both consumers and competitors. The following examples offer guidance on ensuring that pricing claims are truthful and not misleading.

2.1 Advertisers may offer a price reduction or savings by comparing their selling price with:

2.1.1 Their own former selling price;

2.1.2 The current selling price of identical products or services sold by others in the trade area (the area in which the company does business or where the advertisement appears) (e.g., “selling elsewhere at $_______.”); or

2.1.3 The current selling price of a comparable product or service sold by the advertiser or by others in the trade area (e.g., “comparable value,” “compares with products or services selling at $_____,” “equal to products or services selling for $_____”).

2.2 In each case, the advertisement must clearly and conspicuously disclose which basis of comparison is being used.

2.3 When these comparisons are made in advertising, the claims must be based on the provisions in Sections 3 - 7.

20. Warranties or Guarantees

20.1 When using the term “warranty” or “guarantee” in product advertising, the advertiser must clearly and conspicuously include a statement that the complete details of the warranty can be seen prior to sale at the advertiser's location, viewed on the advertiser’s website or, in the case of mail or telephone order sales, made available free on written request.

20.2 Advertisers should only use “satisfaction guarantee,” “money back guarantee,” “free trial offer,” or similar representations in advertising if the seller or manufacturer refunds the full purchase price of the advertised product or service at the consumer's request.

20.3 When “satisfaction guarantee” or similar representations are used in advertising, any material limitations or conditions that apply to the guarantee must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed.

20.4 When advertising “lifetime” warranties or guarantees or similar representations, the advertisement must clearly and conspicuously disclose its intended meaning of the term “lifetime.”

20.5 Sellers or manufacturers should advertise that a product or service is warranted or guaranteed only if the seller or manufacturer promptly and fully performs its obligations under the warranty or guarantee.

30. Testimonials and Endorsements

30.1 In general, advertising which uses testimonials or endorsements is likely to mislead or confuse if:

30.1.1 It is not genuine and does not actually represent the current opinion of the endorser;

30.1.2 The actual wording of the testimonial or endorsement has been altered in such a way as to change its overall meaning and impact;

30.1.3 It contains representations or statements which would be misleading if made directly by the advertiser;

30.1.4 While literally true, it creates deceptive implications;

30.1.5 The endorser has not been a bona fide user of the endorsed product or service at the time when the endorsement was given, where the advertiser represents that the endorser uses the product or service;

30.1.6 It is not clearly stated that the endorser, associated with some well-known and highly-regarded institution, is speaking only in a personal capacity, and not on behalf of such an institution, if such be the fact;

30.1.7 The advertising makes broad claims as to the endorsements or approval by indefinitely large or vague groups, for example, “the homeowners of America,” “the doctors of America;”

30.1.8 The endorser has a financial interest in the company whose product or service is endorsed and this is not made known in the advertisement;

30.1.9 An expert endorser does not possess the qualifications that give the endorser the expertise represented in the advertisement;

30.1.10 The advertiser represents, directly or by implication, that the endorser is an “actual consumer” when such is not the case and the advertisement fails to clearly and conspicuously disclose that fact;

30.1.11 A consumer’s experience represented in an advertisement is not the typical experience of those using the product or service, unless the advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses what the expected results will be;

30.1.12 Endorsements placed by advertisers in online blogs or on other third-party websites do not clearly and conspicuously disclose the connection to the advertiser and comply with each of the provisions in this Code; and

30.1.13 Advertisers compensate consumers for leaving feedback on third-party online blogs or websites but fail to ensure that consumers disclose such facts on those blogs or websites.

In the U.S., advertisers should consult the Federal Trade Commission Guides on Testimonials and Endorsements for detailed guidance. In Canada, advertisers should review the Competition Bureau’s publication on Untrue, Misleading or Unauthorized Use of Tests and Testimonials for specific guidance.

As of 11/16/2022, business has not responded to BBB emails or substantiated claims.