Walmart shoppers who frequented the retail giant between October 2018 and January 2024 have until June 5th, 2024, to claim a portion of a $45 million class-action settlement. The lawsuit alleged that Walmart overcharged for certain pre-packaged groceries, specifically sold-by-weight meat, poultry, seafood, and some bagged citrus fruits.
Walmart maintains they did nothing wrong but opted to settle the lawsuit to avoid the potential for protracted legal battles and potentially steeper financial penalties down the line. At $45 million, the settlement represents a tiny fraction of Walmart’s massive revenue stream, totaling $572.75 billion in fiscal year 2023. Market analysts predict the settlement will have minimal impact on Walmart’s stock price.
The settlement seeks to compensate both shoppers with and without receipts. Customers who can provide receipts for their eligible purchases can receive 2% of the total cost, capped at $500. This incentivizes shoppers to search for old receipts and maximizes their potential payout.
Understanding that some receipts may be lost or discarded after several years, the settlement offers an alternative for shoppers without receipts. These customers can submit a claim for $10 to $25, with the exact amount depending on the estimated number of eligible products they purchased during the claim period. This option acknowledges the difficulty of keeping years-old receipts and ensures some level of compensation for all affected consumers.
The deadline to file a claim for the settlement is June 5th, 2024. Consumers who wish to opt-out and pursue individual claims against Walmart have until May 22nd, 2024, to do so.
While the $10-$25 payout for shoppers without receipts may seem insignificant, the settlement offers a chance to recoup some potential overcharges and avoids the uncertainty of a lengthy legal battle. Consumers who decide not to participate forfeit the chance at compensation and are bound by the settlement’s terms, meaning they cannot bring individual claims against Walmart related to the alleged overcharges.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to participate in the settlement rests with individual consumers and the value they place on the potential reimbursement. Some may find the payout underwhelming, while others may view it as a welcome return, especially for those who frequently purchased the affected groceries during the claim period.
You can file a claim on the settlement website at walmartweightedgroceriessettlement.com.
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