For release on December 10, 2019
CONTACT:
Tiyen Lin, Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Protection Unit
(408) 792-2825
BevMo! Pays $359,000 in Consumer Protection Settlement
Liquor retail giant BevMo! will pay $359,000 to resolve a consumer protection lawsuit brought by a group of prosecutor’s offices contending that the company was charging customers more than the lowest posted or advertised price for items.
The law prohibits California businesses from charging an amount greater than an item’s lowest advertised price.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office joined fellow prosecutors in San Diego, Riverside, and Santa Barbara counties in bringing the consumer protection action. The San Diego County Superior Court approved the judgment on December 4, 2019.
Deputy District Attorney Tiyen Lin said: “Companies have a responsibility to ensure they are honoring the prices they are advertising. Consumers can help hold companies accountable by checking their receipts.”
BevMo! is a privately held corporation with its headquarters in Concord, California, and operates over 100 stores in California and Arizona.
The case stemmed from state Weights and Measures inspections which uncovered scanner overcharges in Santa Clara County and elsewhere.
The final judgment includes an injunction requiring BevMo! to perform monthly audits to confirm that items are being priced as advertised. The judgment also requires BevMo! to implement a “Scan-Right Guarantee Program” in California. The company will provide refunds through their customer loyalty program.
BevMo! and its counsel worked cooperatively with prosecutors to implement the changes.
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