Walmart shoppers could add a little more money to their wallets.
The retailer could owe its customers up to $500 under a new class action settlement.
Those who purchased weighed produce or bagged citrus between October 2018 and January 2024 may be eligible for a check.
According to the lawsuit, Walmart customers “paid more than the lowest advertised price in store” on the following products:
- Certain meat, poultry, pork and seafood products sold by weight (referred to as “weighted goods”)
- Certain organic oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and navel oranges sold in bulk in mesh or plastic bags (called “bagged citrus”)
The complaint claims that Walmart customers were “subjected to the following three systemic unfair and deceptive trade practices”:
- Weight of the falsely inflated product: Walmart’s point-of-sale system “deceptively, systemically and artificially” increases the weight of products sold by checkout weight.
- Error in labeling the weight of bagged products: Walmart uses price stickers to sell bagged products in bulk. However, the retailer uses a “false, misleading and deceptive” price label, advertising a weight higher than the actual weight of the product.
- Overcharging for liquidation products sold by weight: Walmart advertises clearance products by weight with a yellow sticker that indicates the price the customer is saving and the price they will pay. However, when customers multiply the weight of the product by the advertised selling price per kilo, the cost turns out to be significantly lower than the price charged.
Walmart denied the allegations and denied doing anything wrong, the settlement states.
“We will continue to offer our customers everyday low prices to help them save money on the products they want and need.” We still deny the allegations, however, we believe a settlement is in the best interest of both parties,” a company spokesperson told TODAY.com in a statement.
Walmart agreed to pay $45 million to its customers, with some receiving up to $500.
Any customer who purchased weighed and/or bagged citrus products in-store at a Walmart retail store, supercenter, or neighborhood market in the United States or Puerto Rico between October 19, 2018 and January 19, 2024 could be eligible.
According to the Settlement FAQ website, the amount one will receive from the settlement depends on the number of people who submit valid claim forms since “all amounts are subject to potential pro-rata increase or decrease and distribution.” additional “.
Payments will be made in the following amounts depending on the following circumstances:
- $10: If you do not have proof of purchase but attest to having purchased up to 50 weighed goods and/or bagged citrus fruits in person during the checkout period.
- $15: If you do not have proof of purchase but attest to having purchased 51 to 75 weighted merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruits in person during the checkout period.
- $20: If you present proof of purchase but attest to having purchased between 76 and 100 weighted merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruits in person during the checkout period.
- $25: If you present proof of purchase but attest to having purchased more than 101 weighted merchandise and/or bagged citrus in person during the checkout period.
- Up to $500: If you have proof of purchase for each weighed merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruit that you purchased in person during the Class Period And the amount paid for each, you are entitled to 2% of the total cost purchased, capped at $500.
If you do not have physical receipts, they may be available by accessing your account on the Walmart website.
If you are eligible for payment, your application must be submitted online or postmarked if mailed by June 5, 2024.
Payments will be sent via Venmo, Zelle, ACH or a prepaid virtual MasterCard. If you prefer a paper check – or are unable to receive an electronic payment – you can request one.
New York Post
