Between October 19, 2018, and January 19, 2024, customers who purchased weighted groceries at Walmart may be eligible to claim a part of the recent $45 million settlement. The settlement class includes those who bought “weighted goods” or “bagged citrus” during this time period. Weighted goods are items priced based on weight, such as packaged meat, poultry, pork, and seafood, while bagged citrus refers to fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. The lawsuit alleges that Walmart’s point-of-sale machines inflated the weight of goods marked at a “Rollback” price, resulting in a higher total price than advertised. Walmart disputed the claims but settled to avoid a trial.
To be eligible to submit a claim, customers must have purchased weighted goods or bagged citrus at Walmart between the specified dates. It is not necessary to have kept receipts to file a claim. The amount of money received from Walmart depends on the number of items purchased without retaining receipts. Customers who bought between 1 to 50 items can claim $10, those with 51 to 75 items can claim $15, 76 to 100 items can claim $20, and those with 101 or more items can claim $25. Customers with receipts can claim 2% of the total cost of items purchased, up to a limit of $500. Individual payments may be reduced if the claims exceed the total settlement amount.
To file a claim, customers can visit the settlement website or submit a claim form by mail to the specified address. The deadline for filing a claim is June 5, 2024, and claims must be postmarked by this date to be eligible for payment. A final approval hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2024, after which eligible payments will be distributed. Any delays in the process could occur due to appeals. Customers are advised to keep track of updates on the payment distribution process.
Walmart has denied any wrongdoing in the case, but agreed to the settlement to avoid a trial. The lawsuit alleged that Walmart’s POS machines inaccurately weighed items marked at discounted prices or with reduced price stickers, leading to discrepancies between the advertised and actual prices charged to customers. The settlement offers customers the opportunity to claim a portion of the $45 million fund based on their purchases of weighted goods and bagged citrus at Walmart during the specified timeframe. This case highlights the importance of consumer rights and the recourse available to customers in cases of alleged price discrepancies.
