Subway's $5 footlong subs...Is it false advertising??

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My hubby and I went into a Subway to buy some food. We ordered, sat down and was eating , when a ruckas started at the register and voices being raised and people demanding their money back. We overheard one gentleman stating that the tv ad along with Subways big ad stand in their store stated : ALL footlong subs, just $5 . The man told the clerk he wanted a $5 footlong sub and ordered the kind he wanted. The clerk made the sub up to the way he wanted but charged him more than $5. The man asked why was the bill almost $2 more and she said the footlong sub he ordered wasn't included. In fact they had maybe 5 or 6 different type of subs that were included on the $5 special. The sign said "ALL FOOTLONGS" not just a choice of 5! The tv ad says "All" also. But, the clerk then proceeded to show the man a smaller sign on his wall that stated which subs were included in the special. Do you think this is false advertising? Not 5 minutes after he left there was another person complaining about the special. It was quite amusing to see just how people reacted, and honestly I think rightfully so!
 
Their commercial says, "Subway has eight foot-long subs for one dollar." So, I've been thinking of going in and ordering all eight subs. Then after they're made give them their $1.06 (tax included). Of course they won't go for it, but I figure they'll have to throw away the seven I don't take with me ...
 
Not necessarily . . . does it actually say "ALL" footlong subs $5? More likely, it is similar to the one near our house that has large lettering announcing "footlong subs $5" and then in smaller print, an indication that only eight on the menu are included in the special. Is it easy to distinguish? Not really, but they do meet the requirement if not the true intent of advertising regulations.

I'd rather they just be absolutely truthful and not have any fineprint. I believe the ad should be clear and plain to any person with average intelligence. No fine print required nor allowed to clarify the seller's intent. If the special is "Your choice of these eight sandwiches for $5 each" that is how it should be advertised. Also that pesky "at participating locations only" is crap!
 
Tobyn...I saw the word All" footlong subs $5! This was a sign made by Subway not just a small personal sign.
 
There is a Subway inside of Super Walmart in Cockeysville , Md. that definitely states All footlong subs only $5. I went up to the cash register to buy an extra bag of chips, and that is when the man insisted on his money back. I sneaked outside of the door quickly to see if the man was right about the sign, which by the way was huge and was being held on a trifold stand, and sure enough it did state the word "all" in it. There is no question about this guys...it stated ALL.
 
I am not sure, but I think that was the ad at first, then they extended it with only the 8 for $5. Maybe they had just not removed the first sign, but then they are obligated to honor it!
 
The last two times I ate at Subway (at two different locations), the subs tasted like bread and lettuce sandwiches, I have stopped eating at Subway.
 
If "all" is on the ad, then I would think the appropriate thing to do is honor it. I do know the local one here does not have the word "all" in the ad. It is very clear that there are only 8 sandwiches involved.
 
What Tread said. We have a Subway around the corner from here, I will have to check that out now that you bring it up. I havent seen a commercial lately. Only Quizmos commercials about their 5.00 subs.

We did the plumbing for a new one many years ago. We got a call back a few months later. We havent stepped foot in a Subway since then. :grin Yes, all restaurants are like that, but what you dont see wont hurt you. :lol
 
The last two times we ate at two different Subways they were less than clean. I have sworn off Subway.
 
The Subway stores that I visit here in Tampa have this promotion, but it clearly states all REGULAR footlong subs for $5. Not misleading at all if you ask me. If you want a specialty sub or double meat or cheese, its not going to be $5, simple as that.
 
mrsrocster and all of you: You need to understand that this sign is NOT what you all have been seeing and saying. This large sign specifically states ALL FOOTLONG SUBS JUST $5! Those were the EXACT wording! Your signs are apparently not the same as this sign in Maryland and because of that I understand why you all think it is a fair, plainly understood sign. BTW: we bought a pastrami sub, which at the time we ordered, we didn't even know about the $5 special until the man started complaining. It was just about the most horrible sub we have had. The meat was so fatty and grissley that we had to tear off the fat. Just like some of you mentioned it was mostly bread and vegetables and very little meat. Unless they decide to give their customers what they pay for, we don't think we will be back either.
 
Agreed on the opinion of 'fast food'. What is particularly sad it that Subway has some of the better quality fast food out there ....
 
If the sign said "all" then I think they should honor the sign. If they made a mistake and left a sign up that shouldn't be up then give the man the sub for $5 and go change the sign. Talk about the bad will that saving a few $$ caused.

I did look today when I went for a walk and the sign at our Subway said "8" footlong subs for $5 each. Years ago our Subway started out with all 6" subs on Tuesday were $2.99. After a while they changed to a select few. Sounds like perhaps the same thing went on with the $5 subs.
 
Cricket - It sounds like the Subway you were in didn't remove the old signs. Connie is correct - the old sale was all regluar foot longs for $5.00 and the old signs did say "ALL". They recently changed the sale and extended $5, but only for selected ones. We went there yesterday and it had the $5.00 ones listed on the signage. I'm going to guess the one you were in didn't make the signage switch and should have honored the price or taken down the signs.
 

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