The Money Mustache Community

Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: FIRE me on July 09, 2016, 05:30:45 PM

Title: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: FIRE me on July 09, 2016, 05:30:45 PM
These things are notoriously small payouts for individual participants. But I today I got a check for $48.88 for a DRAM settlement. It came as a bit of a surprise, as it was two years ago that I provided my information to them (name, address, email, how much RAM I purchased over a certain set of years).

I actually skipped joining one that I could have legitimately been in. It was the horsepower lawsuit for Briggs and Stratton small engines. I had an eligible engine on a lawn mower. I was perfectly pleased with the engines' performance. So I passed up $20 or $30, whatever the settlement was.

On the other hand, I've seen on other forums where some are willing to sign up for any class action settlement, even when they have no legitimate standing, as long as no proof of purchase is required.

What you, fellow Mustachians? Do you join class actions? If so, what was your biggest settlement?
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: PFHC on July 09, 2016, 05:48:44 PM
We don't make a point of joining them, but we have applied for several that have come across our desks. Biggest payout to date was $750 from a BOA suit. We are about to get $20,827 for the VW class action suit, just have to give them our car!
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 09, 2016, 06:00:05 PM
Not any more.

I think they are a probable phishing vehicle.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: FIRE me on July 09, 2016, 06:44:28 PM
We don't make a point of joining them, but we have applied for several that have come across our desks. Biggest payout to date was $750 from a BOA suit. We are about to get $20,827 for the VW class action suit, just have to give them our car!

Wow, nice haul. That's not chump change at all.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: FIRE me on July 09, 2016, 06:48:13 PM
Not any more.

I think they are a probable phishing vehicle.

If you look close, you can usually smell the phish. Bad grammar, spelling errors, and a lack of detail about why you are eligible. You can also Google the suit, and usually find the news reports, if not the actual court filings online. It does pay to be careful, though.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: Davids on July 09, 2016, 07:51:18 PM
I did the DRAM one as well but my check was only $19.17 which I got yesterday in mail.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: geekette on July 09, 2016, 08:00:24 PM
We got about $1.57 for a Ryland Mortgage class action suit (30 years or so ago).  $40 from Apple for the AT&T "unlimited" iPad class action suit.  A few free coupons for small things.  Then there's the Ticketbastard debacle.

OTOH, we got our house completely replumbed for free due to the PB pipe fittings class action.  That was definitely worth it.  We even came out ahead since they paid us for wallpaper we wanted to remove anyway.

 
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: PFHC on July 09, 2016, 08:10:13 PM
Not any more.

I think they are a probable phishing vehicle.

If you look close, you can usually smell the phish. Bad grammar, spelling errors, and a lack of detail about why you are eligible. You can also Google the suit, and usually find the news reports, if not the actual court filings online. It does pay to be careful, though.
This is very much true. As with all things, do your due diligence.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: kpd905 on July 09, 2016, 09:12:35 PM
I've done two or three that I've qualified for.  They take so long to send you the check that it is a nice surprise when it arrives.

I find them here: http://www.classactionrebates.com/
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: MoneyCat on July 10, 2016, 07:42:22 AM
I apply for as many class action lawsuits as possible as long as I am being honest about being part of the class. I see no problem with getting $10-20 here and there for other companies not being on the up-and-up with me.


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Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: thisisjeopardy on July 10, 2016, 11:29:03 AM
Was lead plaintiff in two, both a request of an attorney. Settled and made a few grand combined.

Other than that if something comes in the mail and I can get a check for a few bucks I'll reply.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: MandalayVA on July 10, 2016, 11:49:08 AM
I got $500 a few years ago from the Evil Empire Walmart as an abused former minion.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: Cpa Cat on July 10, 2016, 12:01:43 PM
I don't join ones that have nothing to do with me, but if I've bought the product, then I'll throw my name in.

I received $1,000 from Honda because they falsely advertised their MPG on their hybrids. $500 for buying a hybrid and another $500 because my particular year of hybrid was extra falsely advertised, apparently.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: Cassie on July 10, 2016, 02:06:20 PM
I will join them if I bought the product, etc. I have gotten mostly small amounts.
Title: Re: Do you join class action lawsuits?
Post by: Zikoris on July 10, 2016, 09:57:16 PM
We've done a handful over the years, but honestly, we buy so little that we very rarely qualify. I believe there was one relating to ebook price fixing, and one relating to our television or computer monitor or something. Not huge amounts. Apparently cars are where the real money is at, which we don't buy.