Plaintiff Jeffrey Beck stated that the company advertised certain products at “sale” and “compare at” prices even though those items weren’t originally sold at a higher price to begin with. He stated that the sales practice effectively created the illusion of a discount to draw in customers. However, federal regulations dictate that an item can only be marked “on sale” if it was sold at a higher original price for 28 of the preceding 90 days.
Getting a refund
If the settlement is approved, customers who bought products from Harbor Freight between April 8, 2011 and December 15, 2016 could receive a partial refund. However, just how big of a refund one receives depends on certain criteria:
- Customers who saved itemized receipts of their purchase that display a “You Saved” amount will receive 20% off the amount they paid in cash or 30% as a Harbor Freight gift card.
- Customers who have a credit or debit card statement that proves they shopped at Harbor Freight during the covered period may receive 10% off the amount they paid in cash or 12% as a Harbor Freight gift card.
- Customers who have no documentation of a purchase but claim they bought items during the covered period may receive a $10 Harbor Freight gift card. However, those who make false claims and are found out will be subject to perjury charges and could face stiff penalties.
Consumers who wish to receive a payment must complete a claim form and either mail it or submit it online no later than August 7, 2017.