Eddie Bauer Sale Includes Misleading Marketing Email Campaign, Lawsuit Claims

Allegedly deceptive advertisements for an Eddie Bauer sale nearly continuously marketed for the company’s retail and outlet stores are under investigation.

Despite the outdoor clothing retailer’s claims that “everything” is on “sale,” class action lawsuits allege several items are not included in the sale. Plus, items are almost never sold at the advertised “original” price, which means the “sale” price IS the original price.

Eddie Bauer also has been accused of conducting a deceptive marketing email campaign. The email subject lines claimed “Limited Time! 50% OFF EVERYTHING,” but the discounts were false because the prices were actually the outdoor outfitter’s everyday normal price for the products. These fake sale prices were designed to trick consumers.

Who Is Eddie Bauer?

Eddie Bauer was an outdoorsman and guide who started the Eddie Bauer brand in Seattle in 1920. The company is known for its outdoor gear and clothing line for men, women and children.

Eddie Bauer Sale Misleading Information

Lead plaintiff Jennifer Harbers filed a lawsuit alleging Eddie Bauer stores have used misleading marketing tactics to propel sales. Harbers’ lawyers allegedly started tracking the Eddie Bauer website in January 2016. Their data consists of daily prices and screenshots of more than 1.9 million daily sales for more than 8,000 products over a time span of 1,243 days.

Any item that is on sale must otherwise be sold at a higher regular price.

In her Eddie Bauer sale lawsuit, Harbers insists that the sale products are not really on sale because the “list” or original prices indicated are “false and inflated” prices that are never (or rarely) used.

In fact, a review of the outdoor outfitter’s website found that in 2017, there were 290 days that Eddie Bauer advertised a sale of a certain percentage off “everything” or off the customer’s “entire purchase.” On top of that, the company advertised sale prices between 60 to 70 percent off all Eddie Bauer products the remaining 75 days of 2017.

As a result, the use of “false reference prices for advertised false perpetual discounts” purportedly created a deceptive perception that Eddie Bauer sells high quality merchandise at deep discounts.

Another Eddie Bauer class action lawsuit alleges a customer purchased a fleece and thermal outfit at an Eddie Bauer outlet store that was advertised as 50 percent off. The customer later allegedly discovered that the merchandise he bought was never offered for sale at the advertised original pricing.

And in a 2016 article, Wisebread.com alleged Eddie Bauer was among several retailers that allegedly offered customers a coupon after raising the full-retail prices. 

How Does the Federal Trade Commission Protect Your Rights?

When the Federal Trade Commission discovers a business has perpetrated fraud on consumers, the agency will file action in federal court to issue immediate and permanent orders to stop the alleged scams. The court can prevent fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future and can also freeze the offending company’s assets while obtaining compensation for the consumers who have become victims.

The Federal Trade Commission enforces truth-in-advertising laws on the internet, radio, television, newspapers, direct mail, bus signs, billboards and anywhere else consumers may see or hear an ad. The federal law ensures ads are not misleading and must tell the truth.

According to the federal agency’s website, investigators pay special attention to marketing and advertising claims that can impact a consumer’s health or wallet. These subjects include drugs, dietary supplements, tobacco products, alcohol and high-tech products.

In their efforts to protect consumers from fraud and deception, the Federal Trade Commission “takes law enforcement actions, provides consumer and business education, issues reports and policy guidance, leads workshops, and participates in other forums.”

Consumers are able to submit a consumer complaint to the FTC online. Reports of fraud, unfair business practices or even identity theft can be sent to the FTC, which will investigate your claim. The more information you can provide about the circumstances, the more helpful your complaint will be. Your own contact information, the type of product or service involved, and contact information regarding the company accused of wrongdoing should always be included. The company’s business name, address, phone number, website, email address and representative’s name (if applicable) will help the investigators.

Misleading Marketing: How to Take Action

If you feel you’ve been misled by an Eddie Bauer sale at either a store brand retail or outlet store, or if you received a deceptive marketing email from Eddie Bauer, you may qualify to participate in an Eddie Bauer deceptive advertising class action lawsuit investigation.

Join a Free Eddie Bauer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you made a purchase from an Eddie Bauer retail store or an Eddie Bauer Outlet store, or if you received a marketing email from Eddie Bauer, you may qualify to join this FREE Eddie Bauer deceptive marketing class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.