Williams-Sonoma Class Action: "Free Shipping" Claims Mislead Consumers, Lawsuit Alleges

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Williams-Sonoma, alleging that the company's "Free Shipping Sitewide" promotion was misleading and that consumers were charged shipping fees for items that were not eligible for free shipping.

Consumers Affected: Individuals who purchased products from Rejuvenation's website and were charged shipping fees despite the "Free Shipping Sitewide" promotion.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Williams-Sonoma, Inc., the well-known home furnishings retailer, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging deceptive advertising practices related to "free shipping" claims on its Rejuvenation brand website. Filed by Dimitri Kermani in a California federal court, the lawsuit challenges the "Free Shipping Sitewide" promotion advertised on Rejuvenation's website, claiming it misled consumers about the availability of free shipping.

Kermani, a resident of Bozeman, Montana, purchased a pendant light from Rejuvenation's website, believing that shipping would be free based on the prominent "Free Shipping Sitewide" promotion. However, he was later charged $159 for shipping. When he contacted customer service, he was initially told he would be refunded the shipping fee. Later, he was informed that his item was not eligible for free shipping due to its weight, a restriction that was not clearly disclosed on the product page or in any readily accessible location on the website.

Lawsuit Claims Williams-Sonoma Misled Consumers With "Free Shipping Sitewide" Promotion

The lawsuit alleges that Williams-Sonoma, through its Rejuvenation brand, engaged in false advertising and deceptive business practices by misrepresenting the availability of free shipping. It claims that the "Free Shipping Sitewide" promotion is misleading because it does not apply to all products or to all customers.

According to the complaint, Williams-Sonoma intentionally concealed restrictions and limitations on its free shipping offer, leading consumers to believe that shipping is free for all products and destinations when this is not the case. It argues that this practice violates California's consumer protection laws, which prohibit false advertising and unfair competition.

Kermani says he has "time-stamped photos, screenshots, and video evidence showing that Williams-Sonoma  misrepresented the availability of free shipping and that the exclusion information provided was insufficient, vague, and misleading." This evidence is intended to support his claims of deceptive advertising and consumer harm.

Williams-Sonoma Faces Legal Challenges Over Deceptive Advertising Practices

This is not the first time Williams-Sonoma has faced legal challenges. In April 2024, the company was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $3.175 million for violating a 2020 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order. This was the largest civil penalty ever levied in a "Made in USA" case. The FTC had sued Williams-Sonoma in 2020, charging that the company falsely advertised multiple product lines as being "Made in the USA" when they were not.

In the Williams-Sonoma free shipping class action lawsuit, Kermani seeks to represent a class of all California residents who purchased products from Rejuvenation's website within the past four years and were charged for shipping despite the "Free Shipping Sitewide" promotion.

He is demanding that Williams-Sonoma cease its allegedly deceptive advertising practices and provide refunds to customers who were charged for shipping under the false pretense of free shipping. The lawsuit also seeks an injunction to prevent the company from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

Kermani is also seeking compensatory damages, including actual, statutory, and punitive damages, for himself and all class members. He has demanded a jury trial to determine the extent of Williams-Sonoma's liability and the appropriate remedies for affected consumers.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Kermani, et al. v. Williams-Sonoma, Inc., et al.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-08994 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Jason M. Ingber (Ingber Law Group)

Have you experienced unexpected shipping charges when shopping online at Williams-Sonoma or other retailers that advertised "free shipping"? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.