Keeping an eye out for class-action lawsuit settlements has long been a favorite activity for budgeters and penny pinchers. Turns out, you can make a little money from taking a few minutes to fill out some forms. While some pay just pennies, others pay enough to take the family out to dinner or to stick in a rainy day fund.
These five open settlements are coming to a close in the near future, but if you get your information submitted before the deadline, you could be looking at a nice little settlement payment.
Keep in mind that in most instances, settling a class action case does not mean the company is admitting fault or guilt, just that they want to end the legal proceedings and have negotiated a deal with the people filing suit.
1. Roundup Concentrate
Overview: This is a class-action lawsuit against Monsanto Company, specifically their Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate Plus or Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Super Concentrate with the phrase “makes up to” printed on the container.
“The lawsuit alleges that Monsanto advertised these Roundup products as making more spray solution than the products were capable of making,” according to a website for the suit.
Who qualifies: Anyone who purchased these products for personal or household use and who has not already received a full refund.
Claim filing deadline: March 6, 2018
Payout amount: $11–$53 per unit
How to file a claim: Online or by mail
2. Sam’s Club
Overview: This is a lawsuit that claims Sam’s Club did not fully honor the “Freshness Guarantee” for some fresh products purchased at United States Sam’s Clubs.
Who qualifies: Sam’s Club members who purchased fresh products from Sam’s Club, returned the products, but did not receive the full value of the “Freshness Guarantee” during the time periods covered by the settlement (you’ll want to visit the lawsuit website to see all the dates—they vary by state).
Claim filing deadline: March 26, 2018
Payout amount: Gift card for roughly $10 redeemable at Sam’s Club or Walmart, both in store and online
How to file a claim: Online form
3. Act II Jewelry, LLC — formerly known as Lia Sophia
Overview: This class action lawsuit claims Act II Jewelry, formerly known as Lia Sophia, breached its lifetime warranty promise to customers and sales representatives. Additionally, it claims that the company harmed sales reps by misappropriating their customer information.
Who qualifies:
- Customers – U.S. customers who purchased jewelry from Act II between June 23, 2011, and December 1, 2014.
- Sales Advisors –U.S. sales advisors who sold at least $250 of jewelry for Act II between January 1, 2014, and August 17, 2014.
- New Sales Advisors – U.S. sales advisors who purchased initial starter kits from Act II between August 1, 2014, and December 1, 2014.
Claim filing deadline: April 9, 2018
Payout amounts:
- Customers: $8.01–$120.27
- Sales Advisors: 8.02%–20.04% of your 2014 sales
- New Sales Advisors: Full reimbursement of the amount paid for the initial starter kit; $99–$149
How to file a claim: Enter your class member ID on the claims page or submit a claim form by mail.
4. ANN, Inc. (Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet)
Overview: This class action lawsuit alleges a deceptive pricing scheme at Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet stores. The plaintiffs allege that customers were led to believe that items in the outlet and factory stores were once sold in retail stores based on the discounts and “original” prices shown on the tags.
Who qualifies: Anyone who purchased one or more items from Ann Taylor Factory or Loft Outlet stores from May 5, 2012 to May 4, 2016.
Claim filing deadline: May 19, 2018
Payout amount: $5 cash award or $12 voucher
How to file a claim: Online or by mail
5. Vitamix
Overview: This class-action lawsuit claims top seals of the blade assembly in containers of certain Vitamix blenders were defective because they put tiny black flecks of a substance known as polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) into blended food and drink.
Who qualifies:
- Anyone who owns a household Vitamix blender with a blade assembly dated on or after January 1, 2007 until October 1, 2016.
- Anyone who owns a Vitamix commercial blender that was purchased through a third party on or after September 15, 2015, but before August 9, 2016, (or before April 7, 2017 in the case of a commercial blender from the XL product line)
Note: You can find the blade assembly date on the top side of one of the blades (see below photo).
Claim filing deadline: September 28, 2018
Payout amount:
- A choice between $70 gift card for use on the Vitamix website or in any Vitamix owned store a free new replacement blade.
- If you own multiple household blenders, you may may choose between a $140 Vitamix gift card or installation of a free new replacement blade in your existing blender.
- Vitamix commercial blender owners can receive a new replacement blade assembly from Vitamix, up to a maximum of two replacement blades.
How to file a claim: Online form
If you have any luck with these settlements, let us know in the comments on Facebook!
