How a TINA.org Reader Tip Led to a Record Penalty for False Made in USA Claims
FTC says civil penalty against Williams-Sonoma is “the largest ever in a Made in USA case.”
August 2017: A federal judge granted preliminary approval of a settlement agreement reached between the parties in this case. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive either a cash refund in the amount of 10% of the amount paid for all ForceField Fabric and Leather Protection plans, or one voucher in the amount of 45% of the amount paid (but not more than $125) to use towards a Rooms to Go purchase. In addition, the company agreed to modify its sales processes and to retrain associates responsible for applying the protectants to fabrics and leathers. The final fairness hearing is scheduled for December 15, 2017. For more information, go to https://eclaim.kccllc.net/caclaimforms/rth/home.aspx.
August 2015: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Rooms to Go (a furniture store chain) for allegedly deceptively promising that consumers who purchase the “ForceField Exclusive Fabric Protection Plan” will receive furniture that has been “professionally treated … to resist food and beverage spills” when, according to plaintiffs, the furniture is not professionally treated with any additional fabric treatment. (Hankinson et al v. R.T.G. Furniture Corp., d/b/a Rooms to Go, Case No. 15-cv-81139, S. D. FL.)
For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding furniture and TINA.org’s coverage of the topic, click here.
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