Bob’s Discount Furniture Doesn’t Honor ‘Goof Proof’ Warranty, Alleges Class Action Lawsuit

A New York man has filed a class action lawsuit alleging Bob’s Discount Furniture fraudulently promotes its “Goof Proof” warranty to consumers.

Plaintiff Renal Glover says the Goof Proof warranty is marketed and sold to protect against furniture damage such as food and beverage stains, pen marks, tears, and punctures.

Glover claims the furniture’s “discount nature” creates added incentive for consumers to purchase the Goof Proof warranty, because they know less expensive furniture “may not be as sturdy or resistant to accidental stains or tears as higher priced furniture.”

However, the class action lawsuit states that Bob’s Discount Furniture collects premiums and then rejects claims submitted under the warranty.

The plaintiff says Guardian Insurance provides “undisclosed incentives or kickbacks” to Bob’s Discount Furniture for every Goof Proof warranty sold. In addition, sales employees can receive bonuses or, conversely, be penalized based on how many warranties they are or are not able to sell.

Glover alleges that consumers are misled through the defendant’s warranty sales “because the furniture is poorly made,” meaning the company “can more easily and unfairly attribute any accidental stain or rip to a product defect, when there might be cause for overlap between what caused the damage.”

When customers submit a claim under the Goof Proof warranty, it’s allegedly denied with the reasoning that the damage was not actually accidental but rather caused by misuse.

Bob’s Discount Furniture routinely denies warranty claims if customers are unable to state the exact date in a 30-day period when the damage occurred, the complaint says.

“Not noticing a stain or damage on the day it occurred is a common circumstance, especially if the furniture is used by other persons within a household and not exclusively by the warranty holder,” Glover’s complaint says.

The company also denies Goof Proof warranty claims in other situations, such as if there is more than one mark or puncture on the furniture; in those circumstances, the company allegedly chalks the damage up to misuse.

The company often categorizes rips or tears as “normal wear and tear” even if they are actually accidental damage supposedly covered by the Goof Proof warranty.

Additionally, Glover says the defendant hasn’t “reasonably defined” what types of damage are considered “excessive,” though it cites this reasoning when denying valid claims.

As a result of all this, Glover says the Goof Proof warranty’s value is “materially less” than the defendant represents.

Had he and others known the truth about the warranty, they either would not have purchased it or would have paid less.

Glover formally accuses Bob’s Discount Furniture of violating New York General Business Law and of breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment, and negligent representation.

He is seeking injunctive relief ordering the defendant to correct the alleged wrongdoing; restitution and disgorgement; monetary damages, including statutory damages; attorneys’ and experts’ fees; and any other relief deemed appropriate.

Did you purchase the Goof Proof warranty from Bob’s Discount Furniture? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan and Associates PC.

The Goof Proof Warranty Class Action Lawsuit is Renal Glover, et al. v. Bob’s Discount Furniture LLC, Case No. 1:20-cv-10924, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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