In the Harbor Freight Tools Deceptive Pricing case, Plaintiff Jeffrey Beck accused Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc. of implementing deceptive promotions that put merchandise “on sale” that actually were never discounted. In Beck’s written statement, Harbor Freight Tools offered products for sale that the company never has offered for sale. Considered a slight variation of the classic bait and switch, Beck asserted that Harbor Freight Tools violated more than one provision of federal consume protection laws,
The settlement of the Beck class action lawsuit does not legally require Harbor Freight Tools to admit any “liability or legal fault.” Harbor Freight Tools insists the company has complied with every consumer protection law that covers the charges made by Beck in the settlement of the case. The court has not issued a determination into the liability or legal fault of Harbor Freight Tools.
Class Member Eligibility and Award Information
Class member eligible for compensation under the terms mandated by the settlement include United States customers of Harbor Freight Tools that purchased a settlement defined product from the company between April 8, 2011 and December 15, 2016. The language of the settlement that describes the discounted price issue is a bit muddled, which means many consumer might have to enlist the services of a consumer protection attorney to find out if they are eligible to receive compensation.
Compensation varies in the settlement, with the onus of proof falling on consumers that can provide documentation of product qualifying purchases. Documentation includes a credit or debit card statement, as well as the original receipt. Eligible class members can receive a cash refund or a Harbor Freight gift card, with the amount contingent on the price of a qualifying product. Consumers who cannot submit proof of purchase documentation can sign a declaration under the penalty of perjury they bought merchandise from Harbor Freight Tools that the company advertised with a higher reference price next to a lower offering price.
What You Need to Know
Class members have until August 7, 2017 to file a claim form for the case officially named Jeffrey Beck v. Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc., Case No. 15-cv-000598, in the Court of Common Pleas for Lake County, Ohio. The final hearing for the case takes place on July 7, 2017. For more information about the case and updates on award amounts, class members should visit www.NationalSalePriceSettlement.com. Class counsel comprises Patrick J. Perotti and Nicole Fiorelli of Dworken & Bernstein Co., LPA. Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc. is represented by Rodger Eckelberry, Rand McClellan, Jacqueline Matthews, and Michael Farrell from Baker & Hostetler LLP. National Sale Price Settlement of Dublin, Ohio handles the claims administration for the settlement.
