Saferwholesale Lawsuit: Allegations of Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices
Saferwholesale LLC, an online retailer of sporting goods, motorcycles, exercise equipment, and other products, was the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois Attorney General’s office in 2015. The lawsuit alleged that Saferwholesale engaged in a pattern of fraud and deceptive business practices that resulted in consumers losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Key Allegations Against Saferwholesale
The primary allegations against Saferwholesale included:
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Incorrect Orders and Damaged Goods: The lawsuit alleged that Saferwholesale frequently shipped incorrect orders to customers and sent damaged or defective products. When customers attempted to return these items, Saferwholesale would either deny refunds or offer store credit or warranties instead.
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Restocking Fees: Saferwholesale was accused of charging customers restocking fees of up to 30% on returned items, even when the items were returned due to no fault of the customer.
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Misleading Advertising: The lawsuit alleged that Saferwholesale used deceptive advertising tactics to lure customers to its website. The company would often advertise products at low prices but then charge hidden fees or shipping costs that significantly increased the overall price.
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Suspension of eBay Accounts: The lawsuit also noted that Saferwholesale had multiple eBay accounts suspended for violating the platform’s terms of service, which raised concerns about the company’s overall business practices.
Legal Actions Against Saferwholesale
The Illinois Attorney General’s office filed the lawsuit against Saferwholesale in Cook County Circuit Court in 2015. The lawsuit sought to enjoin Saferwholesale from continuing its deceptive practices and sought restitution for consumers who had been harmed by the company.
Saferwholesale’s Response
Saferwholesale denied the allegations against it and maintained that it had acted in good faith. The company argued that the complaints it received were isolated incidents and that it had made every effort to resolve customer issues.
Outcome of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit against Saferwholesale was settled in 2016. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed publicly, but Saferwholesale agreed to make changes to its business practices to comply with consumer protection laws.
Impact of the Lawsuit
The Saferwholesale lawsuit highlighted the importance of consumer protection and the need for businesses to operate ethically and transparently. The lawsuit also served as a reminder to consumers to exercise caution when shopping online and to carefully review the terms and conditions of any purchase.
Conclusion
The Saferwholesale lawsuit is a reminder of the importance of holding businesses accountable for their actions. Consumers should be aware of their rights and should not hesitate to report any deceptive business practices to the appropriate authorities.
