This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
California Best Buy stores must pay $875K in pricing suit
A Riverside judge has ordered California Best Buys to pay $875,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging the company overcharged customers.
(
Ron Dauphin/Flickr
)
A Riverside County judge has ordered Best Buy Stores to pay nearly $900,000 and to institute a special discount program to settle a lawsuit alleging the company charged more than advertised prices at some California stores.
The district attorneys of Riverside, San Diego and Los Angeles counties filed the case this week after weights and measures officials documented overcharges during inspections.
On Friday Judge Daniel Ottolia ordered the company to pay $600,000 in penalties, about $175,000 in costs and $100,000 in restitution.
For the next five years the California stores must offer customers $3 off the lowest advertised price of an item if they are overcharged at checkout.
Best Buy spokesman Jeffrey Shelman said in a statement that the company apologizes for the tiny fraction of items with pricing errors.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
