Is this considered false advertisement?

[jomicade]

I just want to know whether this isssue is a true/legal false
> advertisement. It involves a highly reputable organization (YMCA) that
> states in their website a Beach Camp where \"activities will include
> surfing, swimming, boogie-boarding..\" my child contacted me immediately
> from camp telling me that what we signed up for is not true. there is no
> surfing. in fact, there were 18 kids with only 1 boogie-board. when this
> matter was brought to the director\'s attention, he admitted that the
> advertisement was misleading but he did not want to give a full refund.
> he further noted that \'just because the camp says that, doesn\'t mean we
> provide the equipment\'. I made it clear that the YMCA did not make that
> clear in any advertisement whether it was a brochure or internet. it
> specifically noted \'surfing\' as an activity, which was the sole purpose
> of choosing this camp. what was most upsetting was the fact that he
> continued to \'barter\' with us, i.e. \'I\'ll consider givi!
> ng 1/2 a refund\' to \"i\'ll support the activity director (meaning he
> would not provide any refund) to finally, \'if your child comes in here
> and tells me he did not have fun, i\'ll refund the money in full .. which
> led to my child coming into the directors office and having the director
> ask him to \'grade the camp\' .. A being highest and F the lowest. if my
> child responds with a \"D\" or \"F\" he would refund in full. My child
> responded with a \"D\". We recieved verbal confrimation of refund and
> promised matters would be taken care of first thing monday. I just want
> to know if this could have been cause for \'false advertising\'.? I
> truly believe this refers to a representation or omission that definitely
> mislead us (the consumer) who is just acting reasonably under the
> circumstances. I am not looking for represenation .. I am just trying to
> confirm my point in a matter .. plus the director was so pompous, it would be nice to know that i at least would have a leg to stand on. i am just so upset that someone in that level would sit and 'barter' with a parent (who, as a sidebar, is a single income family with 4 children) over $120. That's $120 worth of hard earned money (which goes hand-n-hand and confirms the fact that we SPECIFICALLY chose this camp for the activites advertised - why dish out $'s otherwise?) on our part vs. a large organization who I'm sure is paying this director enough money where $120 is a bat in the eye.

If surfing was a key issue for you, then withdraw the child and they will have to refund you or sue them in small claims.

[jomicade]

Thank you. By the sound of it, I am assuming (I hate that word!D-) that this 'could' be construed as false advertisement? In any event, we received the refund and I am happy with that ... I just wanted to make sure I had a leg to stand on when I actually say, "this is false advertisement'" ... thanks again.

[annjd]

It is yes, if a material issue to you.