Amazon failed to issue refunds for returned products and breached its own policies, according to a new class action lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle this week.
The suit alleges that Amazon “has engaged in a repeated and systematic scheme” related to products purchased on its online marketplace and returned by customers who say they never received a refund for products that were “timely and properly” returned to the company.
Customers have been “deceived by Amazon’s unfair trade practices,” according to the lawsuit.
Amazon declined to comment when contacted by GeekWire.
A similar class action suit was filed against Amazon earlier this month in federal court in Seattle. Amazon this week filed a partial motion to dismiss that case, which focuses on alleged charges for returned products.
There is a third suit, filed last month in Seattle, that also targets Amazon over returns.
The lawsuits come amid the FTC’s antitrust complaint against Amazon accusing the tech giant of anticompetitive practices.
The plaintiff in the suit filed this week, Holly Jones Clark, is a citizen of Kentucky and is represented by Seattle firm Borde Law PLLC and New York firm TheGrantLawFirm.
“We think this is very widespread,” Lynda Grant of TheGrantLawFirm told GeekWire.
Clark allegedly ordered a nutrition-related book for $23.59 in February but never received the book after the seller cancelled the order and still hasn’t received a refund from Amazon, according to the suit.
The suit cites complaints on Reddit and other online threads of customers who say they weren’t refunded after making returns.
Amazon helped set the standard for free online returns and prides itself on a “fast, easy returns process” with more than 18,000 drop-off locations.
Recently Amazon began charging for some returns. It also rolled out a new feature that flags “frequently returned” products.
Read the full complaint below.
