Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit in California state court alleging deceptive pricing practices against an online fitness equipment retailer. The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of consumers who were allegedly charged hidden fees despite representations of “free shipping” on all orders.
According to the complaint, the company prominently advertised “Free Shipping On All Orders” across its website. However, the lawsuit alleges that once consumers added products to their cart and proceeded through checkout, an additional fee labeled “Shipping Protection” was automatically added to their purchase without clear disclosure or consent.
The filing claims that this fee was pre-selected and presented as a default option, requiring consumers to actively opt out in order to avoid the charge. As shown in checkout screenshots included in the complaint, the fee appeared as a separate line item and was included in the total purchase price, despite being framed as optional or protective in nature.
The lawsuit further alleges that the fee provided no meaningful benefit to consumers and functioned as a disguised shipping charge, contradicting the company’s “free shipping” representations. The complaint also contends that the fee was not clearly explained and that many consumers completed their purchases without realizing they had been charged an additional amount.
The lawsuit asserts claims under California consumer protection laws, including the Consumers Legal Remedies Act and the Unfair Competition Law, as well as unjust enrichment. Plaintiff seeks restitution, damages, and injunctive relief to stop the alleged deceptive practices and require clearer pricing disclosures.
Why This Matters: Consumers rely on transparent pricing when shopping online. When companies allegedly advertise “free shipping” but add hidden fees during checkout, it can mislead consumers and undermine trust. This lawsuit aims to promote fair pricing practices and hold companies accountable for deceptive online sales tactics.