The deadline to claim a $200 payment from the WinCo Foods settlement is approaching.
This payout stems from a lawsuit accusing the supermarket chain, which operates in 10 states, of unfairly adding extra charges to non-grocery items. Eligible Americans have just a few hours left to apply.
WinCo Settlement, Key Claim Requirements
Americans hoping to benefit from the WinCo Foods settlement must meet specific criteria. Eligible individuals must have bought non-grocery items at a WinCo Foods store in Portland, Oregon, The U.S. Sun reports.
These items must include an extra surcharge if purchased from June 1, 2019, to May 8, 2022.
If these conditions are not fulfilled, claimants will be ineligible for the payment.
For those concerned about the necessity of old receipts, rest assured they are not required to file a claim.
While having receipts could be helpful, claimants can still proceed to the settlement website to submit their claim online or mail a form to the class administrator's address without them.
The final day to submit a claim, object to the settlement, or opt-out is July 9, 2024. Following a final approval hearing on August 8, 2024, payments are expected to be dispatched.
Each eligible claimant might receive around $200, although the amount could vary based on the total number of claims submitted.
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WinCo Lawsuit Highlights Hidden Charges
Recently, Franchise Herald reported that court documents reveal that WinCo Foods is facing accusations of not disclosing an additional charge to shoppers in Portland, Oregon.
The lawsuit alleges that the supermarket did not adequately inform customers about a 1% fee from the city's Clean Energy Fund, a measure approved by local voters in November 2018.
Despite these claims, WinCo Foods maintains that it has been transparent, including the clean energy tax and all other charges on customer receipts.
To settle the lawsuit and avoid further legal costs, WinCo agreed in January to pay $3.6 million. The total settlement amount WinCo will cover surpasses $3.365 million, including approximately $235,000 used to notify customers about the settlement terms.
Legal fees are expected to consume about $1,009,500 of the settlement fund, with an additional $150,000 reserved for miscellaneous expenses. Furthermore, the Class Representative in the case will receive a $10,000 service award.
Meanwhile, the chance to claim $200 has sparked discussions among local consumers on Reddit. One shopper mentioned noticing an unexpected fee on paper towels but didn't think much of it then and had not saved the receipt.
Another highlighted the breadth of non-food items they've purchased at WinCo, indicating how common it is to shop for various goods there.
A resident emphasized that the claim process is straightforward and does not require a receipt. They advised simply using the dates of known shopping trips to complete the claim form.
This has made it easier for regular customers to participate in the settlement without providing detailed proof of purchase.
The U.S. Sun explains that class action lawsuits allow groups to unite against companies in court. Often initiated by a few, these cases can extend to many with similar complaints.
Companies typically settle to avoid further costs, offering compensation while denying wrongdoing, with recipients agreeing not to pursue additional legal action.
Related Article: WinCo Foods to Pay $200 to Shoppers in Surcharge Settlement, No Receipt Required
