The new “face” of the chain of troubled optometrist Oscar Wiley, who has been fined millions for his massive charitable exaggeration, has said he is ditching the retailer and wants no more working with them.
Josh Jessup, who was only announced as an Oscar Wiley brand ambassador last week, told news.com.au that he was “disappointed” with the retailer’s behavior, particularly not offering an apology to customers on his website or social media accounts.
He said, “I no longer want to be associated with Oscar Wiley.”
He said he would not take any payments from the company.
However, other Instagram influencers still featured on Oscar Wylee’s Facebook and Instagram pages showing her specs despite a court bombing that resulted in him being fined $ 3.5 million for “betraying” her promises to communities in need.
Since the fine was announced on Friday, the company’s social media accounts have been filled with negative comments, including describing them as “disgraceful” and “false.” But some of the posts that received the most criticism are now gone.
RELATED: Oscar Wiley fined $ 3.5 million for false charitable claims
Last week, federal court said Oscar Wiley had miserably failed on his promise to “buy a husband, give a husband”.
For five years, the retailer told consumers it would donate a pair of glasses “to those who need for every pair purchased.” Children in Cambodia, for example, would benefit if people in Canberra bought the company’s products.
But Oscar Wiley failed to fulfill the pledge. Over five years, it sold 328,010 pairs of glasses but donated only 3,181 frames – without the lenses – to charity. That’s less than 1 percent of what it promised.
“Oscar Wiley has benefited from convincing consumers to buy his products and continues to do so,” Judge Anna Katzman said in a ruling on the case brought by the Australian Completing and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
“She built her reputation by engaging in dissenting behavior, appealing to socially conscious consumers who want to support charitable causes through their buying behavior. Her behavior was a betrayal of that promise.”
The company said it “sincerely regrets” the breach of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
However, this regret has not yet found its way to the front page of his website or on his social media channels, which contain pictures of young customers and influencers on social media in their frames. The company said it had 30 days to post an explanation online under the rulings.
“I no longer want you to be a collaborator”
Last month, the company invited apps to be the “new face of Oscar Wiley” with the promise of a professional photo shoot, display and “compensation”.
Last week, it was announced that interior design student Josh Jessup, who has 15,000 followers on Insta, had won the contest and had posted his photo on his social media accounts.
But Mr. Jessop said he didn’t want to do anything with Oscar Wiley after a revelation that failed to fulfill his philanthropic promise.
He told news.com.au that he was “disappointed” by Oscar Wiley’s behavior.
Unfortunately, it was revealed that I would be the face of the company before that came out.
“I was hoping there would be some kind of apology or an attempt to reach their followers who support them,” he said.
He said he would not “accept payment” and added, “I no longer wish to be associated with Oscar Wiley.”
“I will continue to be honest and transparent with my followers and I just want to be associated with companies that hold the same values as me.
“I do not wish to join this type of commercial behavior and have been in contact with Oscar Wiley requesting to withdraw from this agreement.”
“You should go to SPECSAVERS”
News.com.au contacted a number of other influencers who recently appeared on Oscar Wiley social media accounts, including Marley Fenn and The Desi Wonder Woman, but they did not respond to emails or messages.
A post showing Marley Finn, who has 12,000 followers, carrying the sports company’s specifications was published just hours before the court ruling.
“Absolutely sure Marley is a pair of frames that they didn’t give these kids at an orphanage in Cambodia. Go Marley!” Was one response to the post.
Critical situations fade away
Starting Monday, Oscar Wiley continues to feature Mr. Jessup on his social media accounts despite his criticism. However, he did remove a post from Marley Fenn, along with a number of others, from Instagram. These posts have been criticized with angry comments from people who are disgusted with the company’s actions.
Oscar Wylee’s Facebook and Instagram account has nearly 200,000 followers,
“What disgraceful behavior has your company exhibited.” One poster said, “I will never buy my glasses from your company, and I’m sure many others will not too.
Another said, “What a lewd company that turns out you are.”
“Stealing from the poor and deceiving the good at heart … How do CEOs and CEOs live with themselves?”
Other comments were “unusually appalling behavior”, “liars” and “an apology that would be appropriate”.
“It should have gone to Specsavers,” was another post.
Oscar Wiley did not respond to news.com.au specific questions. However, in a statement following the court ruling on Friday, the company said it had taken steps to amend its procedures that were found to have consumer law.
“Oscar Wiley has taken corrective action in response to the court action and in line with our continuing commitment to corporate social responsibility,” she said.
“We donated 336,585 pairs of eyeglass frames and a cash donation of $ 80,000 to charities that support eye care for the underprivileged.
“We have also adopted a strict business practice compliance policy, geared towards protecting consumers, and have appointed a Compliance Officer responsible for their implementation.
Oscar Wiley acknowledges the importance of the issues raised by the ACCC and deeply deplores the ACL’s violations.
Retailer criticized
The retailer has also come under fire for overstating the generosity of the Rose charity.
Between January 2014 and December 2018, he made statements such as “We have partnered with the Rose Charities Foundation that helps build sustainable eye care programs in Cambodia” and “We are funding Lim who is studying to be an eye surgeon so he can continue to take solutions in With our hands. “
But Oscar Wylee made only one donation of $ 2000 and made 100 frames in 2014.
“Oscar Wiley has capitalized on the philanthropic nature and goodwill of consumers, and his behavior threatens consumer confidence to support other companies that are already involved in philanthropic activities,” said Delia Ricard, ACCC Vice President.
“This penalty should be a reminder for any company considering making false claims to its customers in its marketing materials, whether online, via e-mail, via video, on social media, or in the store.”
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