[National] Class action lawsuit against Groupon

[CSK'sMom]

Personally, I thought it was only a matter of time before we saw something like this. I'm only surprised that it's over this issue vs. the issues with The Butcher's....

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/arti...ronto-consumer

Class-action lawsuit launched against Groupon by Toronto consumer
By The Canadian Press | June 15, 2011


TORONTO - A Toronto law firm is seeking participants in Ontario for a class-action lawsuit against the Chicago-based daily deal website Groupon.

The suit is being spearheaded by Hitendra Patel, who says he bought a $50 gift certificate for the Gap at half price through Groupon.

He alleges that the gift certificate violated Ontario law because it had an expiry date. He also alleges that Groupon's terms and conditions "confuse and mislead consumers and are deceptive, ambiguous, contradictory and confusing."

The allegations have not been proven in court.

In the statement of claim, Patel says he seeks general damages of $100 million and punitive damages of $10 million.

Patel and the Toronto law firm of Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP are launching the claim.

[zoro69]

Its because groupon has the ability to pay. No point in suing someone you will never collect from even if you win.

Groupon is fine in my book. They did one for a local restaurant that closed. They emailed everyone to tell them it closed(thats how most found out) and to get a refund if they hadn't used it. They are the only one I've heard have contacted people when they know its closed

[WuTangClan]

"The suit is being spearheaded by Hitendra Patel, who says he bought a $50 gift certificate for the Gap at half price through Groupon.
...
In the statement of claim, Patel says he seeks general damages of $100 million and punitive damages of $10 million."



Seriously though, what on Earth is this world coming too?

[rain]

Some people don't know the difference between a voucher and a gift card? There's always people trying to wring money by creating law suits. Like the guy trying to sue the city because he fell from the wave decks. There's signs everywhere to be careful.

[Skirby01]

$100m!

[Raddo]

Cha-Ching!!!

[angekfire]

Groupon is fine in my book. They did one for a local restaurant that closed. They emailed everyone to tell them it closed(thats how most found out) and to get a refund if they hadn't used it. They are the only one I've heard have contacted people when they know its closed

I bought a deal with groupon, and he place ended up moving locations and people had trouble getting ahold of the place, so groupon sent out a message to everyone letting them know they can get a refund if they haven't used the voucher already. I told them I had used part of the voucher, and they refunded me the whole amount. No complaints on groupon from me.

[YLSF]

For a lawyer he is pretty stupid and doesn't know the law. Ontario law DOES allow for restrictions/expiry if the gift card is sold at a discount or a part of a promotion. Look at how Shopper Drug Mart hands out $10 gas cards/etc if you buy over $50/$75 but they have a date restriction. Obviously a lawyer just trying to make some money..

[spascual76]

Sounds like the whole "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" theory. To me, it just sounds ridiculous, like that lawsuit where the guy sued cause the cleaners lost his pants...to the tune of 67 million for mental anguish....AND he was a judge!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearson_v._Chung

Hope it ends cleanly.

[Akitakara]

What the?

The dude doesn't know the difference between gift card and gift certificate?

Gift cards generally can't have expiry dates.
Gift certificates most definately can.

[jetway1212]

Op, its only a matter of time for someone to sue you for misleading general public.

prepare to pay $100 millions in damage.

[YLSF]

Op, its only a matter of time for someone to sue you for misleading general public.

prepare to pay $100 millions in damage.

What did the OP do or say that was misleading? Are you referring to this thread or something else? The OP is a mod and long time poster here. Surprised if she would have said something to warrant being sued for 100$ million.

[Raead]

I am going to sue the bible... for misleading
then sue my parent for the same reason
then finally I am going to sue every women for being misleading

I sue the world for being misleading

[Manatus]

I agree that the amount is ridiculous, but I also think that he has some kind of a point. Despite the fact that these are multimillion dollar businesses now, they still act for the most part like they're being run out of someone's basement. Let anybody sign up to offer huge deals, don't vet the terms and conditions or whether anything's legit, and if anyone complains then just give them their money back to keep them quiet... not like you're actually going to lose anything. Not speaking to Groupon in particular, but some of those sites that kept offering the Butchers deal at ever increasing discounts when it was clear that there was absolutely no way that they could ever be filled. I mean most of them don't even tell you the full terms and conditions (do they even know them, since they seem to change half the time partway through), you have to post in their forum to get details. Personally I'd like some of these sites to stand up and take responsibility for the deals they offer, rather than saying "we're just the middleman, but hey, you can have your money back".

[noobie]

So stupid! ...*rolls eyes*