| Explain Your Problem: (Please limit your complaint to 2000 characters.): | (Product Name: Deceptive advertising piece published in local newspaper) On Saturday, December 10, 2005 the Kentucky Enquirer published a false and deceptive advertising for Finke Homes, Inc. in the “bluegrass HOMES” section. The advertisement was authored by a so-called freelance writer by the name of Stephanie R. Holman.
The FTC states that “Advertisers also must disclose any material connection between a person endorsing a product and the company selling the product.
Did you read anywhere in the propaganda piece that Marcey Updike is Stephanie Finke’s sister? No, they don’t disclose that do they. Finke has to resort to getting relatives to be a mouth piece about how happy they are with Finke Homes. Let’s look at another fact. The home in which they reside in was issued a permit for construction in March of 2002 and a final inspection was done in August 2002. The Updikes didn’t close on the home until March 2003.Finke apparently built this market or “speculative” home then pawned it off on a relative after the fact. The Updikes never contracted Finke Homes to build. Finke Homes, Inc. couldn’t get real consumers. That would appear from reading the FTC laws pertaining to truth in advertisement the piece would be a violation of federal law. They don’t mention that Mr. Loenhard is their neighbor and I suspect somehow he has a financial interest with Finke Homes. I believe that he may be a contractor that Finke Homes Inc uses. However, I have no proof of that that (at this time). Your agency has more resources and authority to ascertain the true nature of Jason Loenhard and Finke Homes, Inc. relationship then I have. The propaganda piece also quoted "homeowner" Laurie Hamilton as a customer, however the Boone County Clerk’s Office shows no property transfer between Finke Homes, Inc. and a Laurie Hamilton. In fact, Boone County has no record of any "homeowner" by the name Laurie Hamilton.
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