Additional Information for WNY Pressure Wash

BBB has sent correspondence to WNY Pressure Wash on June 27, July 8, July 23, and August 5, 2024 requesting substantiation for, or removal of advertised claims on the website https://www.wnypressurewash.com/. To date, the business has not responded to our request.

The claims BBB requested substantiation for are as follows:

1. “Western New York’s #1 Team in Pressure Washing”
These claims would require substantiation from a neutral third party that has provided a ranking/survey/etc. to show that WNY Pressure Wash is the #1 team in Western New York.

BBB’s Code of Advertising #28. Objective Superlative Claims states:
Superlative statements in advertisements about the tangible qualities and performance values of a product or service are objective claims for which the advertiser must possess substantiation as they can be based upon accepted standards or tests. As statements of fact, such claims, like “#1 in new car sales in the city,” can be proved or disproved.

2. “Safety: Safety is non-negotiable; we prioritize the well-being of our team, clients, and the environment."
The concern with these claims is the implication that the products and services are safe for the environment.

BBB’s Code of Advertising #36. Environmental Benefit Claims states:
36.1 General Principles
36.1.1 Advertisers should not make broad, unqualified general environmental benefit claims like “green” or “eco-friendly.”
36.1.2 Advertisers must qualify general claims with specific environmental benefits.
36.1.3 Advertisers must possess competent and reliable evidence (often scientific evidence) to support all environmental benefit claims. Qualifications for any claim must be clear, conspicuous and understandable.
36.1.4 When an advertiser qualifies a general claim with a specific benefit, the benefit should be significant. Advertisers must not highlight small or unimportant benefits.
36.1.5 Unless clear from the context, any environmental claim must specify clearly and conspicuously whether the claim applies to the product, the product’s packaging, a service or just to a portion of the product, package or service.

3. “Certified and Insured for Your Peace of Mind
Certifications and Insurance: WNY Pressure Wash is fully licensed, insured, and certified in industry best practices. Rest easy, knowing that your valuable property is in capable and responsible hands.”
In order to make the claims of being licensed and certified, a business would need to be able to provide copies of licensing and certifications. BBB is unaware of any licensing and/or certifications for pressure/power washing services at this time. 

BBB’s Code of Advertising #1. Basic Principles of the Code states:
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.
1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but by omitting or obscuring a material fact.