Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, Ventura County, against a luxury fashion retailer, alleging deceptive checkout practices that unlawfully add hidden fees to online orders.
According to the lawsuit, the retailer advertises “free ground shipping” on its website. However, at checkout, consumers are automatically charged for a so-called “route package protection” fee. This charge appears late in the purchase process, is pre-selected by default, and is added without a customer’s affirmative consent. The complaint describes this practice as a form of drip pricing—a tactic where only part of a product’s cost is shown upfront, with additional charges revealed at the last stage of checkout.
The lawsuit alleges that the hidden “route package protection” fee is unnecessary, misrepresented, and provides no meaningful benefit to customers. Because the fee is pre-checked and automatically imposed, it also constitutes a negative option fee, which regulators such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have identified as deceptive. California law expressly prohibits advertising a price that does not include all mandatory fees, and the lawsuit contends that the retailer’s practices violate both the Consumers Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law.
The complaint seeks restitution, injunctive relief, and corrective disclosures, aiming to stop the retailer from using these hidden charges and to ensure greater transparency in online pricing. Crosner Legal emphasizes that consumers should be able to rely on clear, upfront pricing when shopping online without being misled by concealed charges.
If you made a purchase online and were charged a hidden “route package protection” or other mandatory fee that you did not knowingly agree to, you may have legal rights. Contact Crosner Legal for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Crosner Legal
9440 Santa Monica Blvd. #301, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (866) 276-7637 [CROSNER]
Email: intake@crosnerlegal.com
Fax: (310) 510-6429
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.