Walmart shoppers could be eligible for up to $500 via deal
$45 million class-action settlement still requires court approval
Walmart has agreed to pay customers up to $500 in compensation as part of a $45 million settlement to a class-action lawsuit alleging that the retailer deceived customers into paying more for certain goods.
The settlement, if given final approval by a Florida court after a hearing in June, will apply to anyone who purchased some meat and seafood products known as “weighted goods,” as well as bagged citrus, at Walmarts in the United States or Puerto Rico from Oct. 19, 2018, to Jan. 19, 2024.
Those eligible must file a claim, and even those who do not file claims will be affected by the settlement.
Here’s what to know about the settlement and whether you may qualify.
Walmart agreed to the settlement to resolve a class-action complaint filed by Vassilios Kukorinis, a Walmart customer who lives in Tampa. The lawsuit alleges that Walmart uses “unfair and deceptive business practices,” such as inflating the weight of certain products, mislabeling them and overcharging for clearance products, “to deceivingly, misleadingly, and unjustly pilfer, to Walmart’s financial benefit, its customers’ hard-earned grocery dollars.”
The lawsuit alleged that Walmart’s practices resulted in customers “paying more than a product’s lowest advertised per pound/ounce price.” It argued those practices were not in line with Walmart’s mission to help “people around the world save money and live better,” including “[b]y leading on price.”
Walmart has denied any wrongdoing. It has agreed to settle “to avoid the risk, uncertain outcome, and expense of continued litigation,” according to the settlement website. A spokesperson for Walmart told The Washington Post via email, “We still deny the allegations, however we believe a settlement is in the best interest of both parties.”
Eligible customers bought bagged citrus (specifically, oranges, grapefruit and tangerines sold in bulk in mesh or plastic bags) and weighted goods (including meat and seafood products sold by weight, like beef cheeks and chicken breasts) in any Walmart store, super center or neighborhood market in the United States or Puerto Rico during the settlement period.