A Complaint Concerning an Allegedly Misleading Advertising Practice by a Carpet-Cleaning

question 103

Essay

A complaint concerning an allegedly misleading advertising practice by a carpet-cleaning service in the Houston area is filed with the local Better Business Bureau.Apparently, homeowners are expecting the price shown on the company's direct mailings and newspaper coupons (a price confirmed at the time the appointment is made) but are quoted a much higher fee once the crew arrives and "inspects" the carpets.The company's ads promise the latest in "green" cleaning materials and industrial techniques, but the cleaning fluids and equipment used by the crew are also suspect.Outline the path the complaint would take if it were to eventually arrive at the FTC.Specifically, list the organizations it would pass through, and in general terms, the actions that would need to be taken by each organization for the complaint to be forwarded on to federal regulators.

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Definitions:

Key problem attributes

Characteristics or factors that define and influence the core aspects of a problem.

Commitment probability

The likelihood that an individual will remain dedicated to a task, goal, or relationship over time.

Variant of authority decisions

Different forms or approaches to making decisions based on established power or authority within an organization.

Vroom, Yetton, and Jago

A model of decision-making that focuses on leadership and outlines how leaders can evaluate the situation and determine the level of involvement from subordinates in the decision-making process.