Discounts at Harbor Freight Tools

In December 2016, a state judge preliminarily approved a settlement of a false advertising class-action lawsuit against Harbor Freight Tools (a retailer selling tools and equipment).

The complaint, which was originally filed in 2015 and amended in 2016, alleges that Harbor Freight Tools deceptively advertises continuous sales. Specifically, plaintiffs claim that the store advertises significant discounts from a regular price when, in reality, the items are always sold at the discounted price and are never sold at the regular price.

According to the settlement terms, class members with proof of purchase may choose to receive a cash award or Harbor Freight gift card.

• Class members with an itemized receipt showing the amount “saved” may receive 20% of the total amount saved in cash or 30% of the total amount saved in a Harbor Freight gift card.
• Class members with credit or debit card statements may receive 10% of the total of Harbor Freight purchases in cash or 12% of the total of Harbor Freight purchases in a Harbor Freight gift card.

Class members without proof of purchase may receive a $10 Harbor Freight gift card. The settlement does not provide any injunctive relief.

A final fairness hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2017. (Beck et al v. Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., Case No. 15-cv-000598, Court of Common Pleas for Lake County, Ohio)

For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding discounts and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.