How long must a promotional offer published in the yellow pages be honored?

A promotional offer published in the Yellow Pages must be honored for one year to ensure consumer protection and transparency. This requirement is in place so that consumers can trust the validity of offers they see in advertising mediums and have a reasonable time frame to take advantage of these deals. By mandating that promotions be honored for at least one year, it helps to create a more stable marketplace where consumers feel assured that they can rely on advertised prices and services.

The rationale behind offering this duration allows businesses to establish credibility and encourages ethical marketing practices. It also aligns with general consumer protection standards that aim to prevent businesses from misleading customers with temporary promotions that they might withdraw shortly after publication.

This timeframe stands in contrast to shorter or longer durations, which may not provide adequate assurance to consumers or could overburden businesses with commitments. Therefore, a one-year period strikes a balance between consumer rights and reasonable expectations for both parties in a commercial transaction.