Class action alleges fake Amazon Prime Day discounts
Two consumers filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in federal court in Washington state alleging Amazon used 'fictional' list prices to inflate percentage-off discounts during its July 8–11 Prime Day sale. The complaint cites specific examples of headphones and a kids’ tablet where the touted list prices and limited-time deals allegedly overstated savings, and notes shoppers were pressured by the short sale window; Amazon declined comment.
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📌 Key Facts
- Plaintiffs: Cathy Armstrong (California) and Oluwa Fosudo (Maryland) filed in September in federal court in Washington state
- Allegation: Amazon used fabricated or inflated 'list prices' to calculate Prime Day percentage discounts ('fake sales')
- Examples cited: Headphones advertised 44% off a $179.95 list; kids’ tablet listed 40% off $119.99 though typical pre-sale prices were $50–$85
- Context: Follows Amazon’s September agreement to pay $2.5B (including a $1B civil penalty) to settle FTC claims over Prime sign-up/cancellation practices
- Amazon response: Declined to comment; company says customers 'saved billions' during its four-day Prime event