In November 2017, Sara Hawes et al. filed a class action lawsuit against Macy’s department stores on the grounds of false advertisement. After nearly 6 years of litigation, Macy’s is now being made to pay out $10.5 million in settlement funds. This class action settlement marks a significant resolution in the Macy’s class action lawsuit, holding the retailer accountable for its misleading product claims.
At Sparrow, we specialize in helping people discover class actions and provide them with essential information on the lawsuit. We guide potential plaintiffs on how to join class action lawsuits through a comprehensive step-by-step process. With our services, we simplify complex legal procedures and help class members navigate corporate misconduct.
With our extensive experience in class action lawsuits, we’ve put together this blog to help you understand Macy’s class action lawsuit timeline. We’ll discuss the allegations, the company’s response, and the settlement details. In the end, you’ll gain insights into how to stay updated on class action lawsuits so you can file a claim within the specified deadline.
Let’s jump right in.
Macy’s Company Background
Macy’s is a well-known department store chain in the United States. Ever since the first store opened at Herald Square in Manhattan, New York City, in 1858, Macy’s has offered a wide range of products, from clothing to home goods. It enjoys a household name status and close association with quality and style.
As one of the largest retail chains in the country, Macy’s operates numerous stores across the United States and has a strong online presence. Given its size and significance, it has also been the target of various legal proceedings over the years, such as the Macy’s class action lawsuit, that potentially affect large groups of employees or customers.
Case Details: Macy’s Class Action Lawsuit
The Macy’s class action lawsuit is based on the allegation that Macy’s is guilty of falsely advertising a line of CVC sheets. According to the plaintiffs, they “ignored long-standing industry standards for calculating thread counts,” giving customers an inaccurate measurement and a misleading claim for quality. This is similar to the recent Walmart lawsuit case wherein the retailer inaccurately labeled product weights.
Allegations
The main allegation in Macy’s class action lawsuit is focused on false advertising claims about the thread count of their CVC sheets. CVC stands for Chief Value Cotton, with Macy’s sourcing these particular products from AQ Textiles, LLC. The misleading claim was that Macy’s falsely labeled these sheets with inflated thread counts, which deceived customers into thinking that they were purchasing a higher-quality product than they really did.
Thread count is directly related to the durability and comfort of bedding, such as the CVC sheets. Plaintiffs argue that they paid more for a product that was not as strong and comfortable as advertised. They claim that Macy’s negligence, regardless of whether the company was aware of the mislabeling, caused their customers to make misinformed purchasing decisions.
Company’s Stance on the Case
Macy’s maintains that they had not committed any wrongdoing as described by the allegations made in the class action lawsuit. According to the company, the labels for the thread count of the sheets were accurate and in compliance with industry standards. Regardless, Macy’s chose to settle the lawsuit to avoid further litigation.
Although Macy’s has agreed to settle, the company emphasizes that the settlement is not an admission of liability. In a public statement, Macy’s expressed its commitment to providing quality products and ensuring customer satisfaction. To date, the CVC sheets products in question remain listed on the Macy’s online storefront.
Settlement Details
The settlement reached in Macy’s class action lawsuit involves a total settlement amount of $10.5 million, including attorney’s fees, incentive payments, administrative expenses, and other costs. To be eligible for a claim, you must have purchased one or more CVC sheets supplied by AQ Textiles, LLC, from any Macy’s store in the United States or Guam. Only purchases made between November 8, 2013 and March 24, 2023, are valid.
Claimants are advised to bring proof of purchase for each unit of CVC sheets. Up to $7.50 can be reimbursed for each unit if there is proof to support the purchase. Without proof of purchase, Macy’s records can still verify your purchase, but only a maximum cash payment of $2.50 per household will be granted, regardless of how many sheets were bought.
Timeline of Action: Macy’s Class Action Lawsuit
The Macy’s class action lawsuit has progressed through several key stages spanning a total of 6 years. Here is an overview of the legal proceedings and important dates that transpired throughout the lawsuit:
- Filing Date: The class action lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Ohio in November 2017.
- Final Hearing: The final approval hearing was conducted on October 20, 2023, in the Southern District of Ohio Courthouse.
- Final Approval: Granted the same day as the final hearing, October 20, 2023.
- Claim Deadline: The claim deadline transpired on April 17, 2024. Eligible claims must be submitted within 180 days of the effective date of the final approval.
Note that the claim deadline has passed. If you’re reading this, you can no longer file a claim for this lawsuit, regardless of your eligibility. There are numerous ways unclaimed money from a class action settlement can be distributed, and the money, in this case, can potentially revert back to Macy’s or be used to pay other legal costs.
How To Stay Updated on Lawsuit Proceedings
Staying fully updated on the proceedings of lawsuits like the Macy’s class action lawsuit is essential for prompt claim reimbursement. Make sure to follow these methods to stay informed on any lawsuit:
Step 1: Monitor Court Updates
Relevant updates to the case will often appear in official court publications first, with their website being the first to be refreshed with new information. Visit the official website of the United States District Court where the lawsuit was filed – in this case, the Southern District of Ohio – for updates on Macy’s class action lawsuit. If you prefer a more in-depth approach, you can also access court documents and public records to gain insights into the general direction that the case is taking.
Step 2: Visit Official Websites
The official websites of the settlement administrator and the class action itself will be regularly updated with important information that claimants need to know. In this case, the settlement administrator’s site and the dedicated class action website are one and the same, which is the CVC Sheet Settlement. Regularly check the official sites to receive updates on the settlement that court outlets may not cover.
Step 3: Follow Trusted News Sources
Reputable news outlets often have sources that provide vital information on the case and publish it earlier than official outlets. Hence, it pays to check news outlets from time to time, especially legal news sites and those that cover news in the particular industry that the lawsuit concerns. Legal blogs that specialize in class action lawsuits, such as Sparrow’s blog, are also great for getting a comprehensive overview of cases.
Step 4: Subscribe to Email Notifications
Make sure to enable email notifications from all relevant sources to be notified of case developments in your inbox. Note that updates delivered in email format are likely to be in the form of snippets, so you will likely have to visit the actual sites to gain more detailed information. Still, subscribing to email notifications will make you aware of updates that you might otherwise miss.
Step 5: Contact the Settlement Administrator
If you have a specific question or are looking for detailed information not covered in any of the above sources, contact the settlement administrator. The official website usually has the contact information of the claims administrator, which, in the case of Macy’s class action lawsuit, includes info@CVCSheetSettlement.com and 1-844-483-0488 for phone support. Directly contacting the administrator helps you sort out issues with your claim, such as incomplete proofs.
Key Takeaway
The Macy’s class action lawsuit was a significant reminder of the importance of product transparency and honest advertising. Large companies like Macy’s are no exception to this, as shown by the recent legal proceedings for Amazon’s false advertisement of their streaming service. The misrepresentations of the thread count of their CVC sheets have compromised customer trust and led to significant legal repercussions.
With the approval of this settlement, Macy’s has been appropriately held accountable for its alleged misrepresentation of product quality. Although the products are still listed on their site, it is likely that Macy’s will settle this issue internally with AQ Textiles or risk another lawsuit. If that is the case, the lawsuit has successfully ensured that future CVC sheets buyers will get the quality they’re promised.
Were you eligible for the Macy’s class action lawsuit but missed the deadline to submit a claim? Stay up to date with various class action lawsuits at Sparrow blog to guide you through the process and ensure you get the compensation efficiently. We assist claimants with every step to simplify the process of filing a claim while keeping them informed of the potential risks when joining class action lawsuits.