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The maker of Igloo coolers is facing a new class action lawsuit over claims the company misleads consumers about how long the coolers can actually keep ice from melting.
Going by its product labeling, the coolers are advertised to be able to retain ice for between three and seven days, depending on the model.
At least two customers say those claims are false and their coolers left them with melted ice much sooner than expected.
David Chung of New York and Steven Hargrove of New Jersey filed a class action lawsuit against Igloo Products Corp. in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Oct. 13.
They argue the company is guilty of violating New York state consumer and business laws against deceptive and unfair trade practices and consumer fraud; they also say the company is guilty of breach of express warranty, negligent misrepresentation fraud and unjust enrichment.
“A good quality portable ice cooler is an indispensable outdoor equipment for many people during summer months. Ice coolers are essential for traveling, camping trips, fishing trips, barbecues, picnics and other outdoor gatherings,” the class action lawsuit says. “To that end, consumers search for a durable cooler with maximum ice retention ability that are cost-effective.”
The Igloo coolers purchased by the lead plaintiffs were neither cost effective nor reliable at retaining ice, they claim.
Chung says he purchased an Igloo Latitude 90-quart cooler advertised to offer “120 Hour Ice Retention” for $49 from Costco.
He used the cooler for fishing, travel and at outdoor picnics and barbecues in temperatures ranging between 70 and 90 degrees, according to the class action lawsuit. Each time he used it, he put 30 to 40 pounds of ice in the cooler. The ice never lasted more than 48 hours, even when he regularly drained the melted water every few hours as directed.
That meant he had to replenish the ice repeatedly to keep his catch or fresh food cold.
Hargrove also bought a 90-quart Igloo Latitude cooler, his for $60 from Costco in New Jersey, the class action says.
He also used his for fishing and picnics and barbecues, but in mostly 80- to 90-degree temperatures. Hargrove claims he packed his cooler with 18 to 24 pounds of ice at the start of each use.
On long fishing trips, Hargrove says, he has to put three to four bags of ice in the cooler to begin with, then on the way home has to add another two to three bags. By the time he gets home, he says, he is left with mostly melted water. At a barbecue or picnic, he says, most of the ice has melted before the sun goes down.
According to Igloo’s website, the “ice retention” it advertises is based on testing in controlled laboratory conditions in which testers fill a cooler with a fixed amount of ice, close the lid and put it in a 90-degree oven. The advertised retention level is the amount of time it took for the ice to reach 39 degrees and begin to melt in the testing oven.
“The way you use your cooler and the conditions you’re in often vary, so the actual cooler performance may be different from our lab results,” Igloo says.
“Defendant’s deceptive product description and claim sends a false message to a reasonable consumer that the Product will retain ice for the promised period of time,” the class action lawsuit claims.
The labeling on some Igloo coolers contains a disclaimer about the “controlled conditions” of a constant 90 degrees, but that notice, “when present, is in lighter color and very small font to prevent buyers from noticing it,” the class action lawsuit argues.
“Defendant’s conduct is malicious, willful, wanton and outrageous such as to shock the conscience of the public and warrant imposition of punitive damages,” Chung and Hargrove claim.
Chung and Hargrove want to represent a Class of fellow consumers who purchased an Igloo three-day, five-day, seven-day or 120-hour ice-retention cooler in the U.S. and a subclass of consumers who bought one of the coolers in New York and New Jersey.
It is unclear how many potential Class Members might be eligible to participate in the class action lawsuit, but the plaintiffs suggest it could be at least thousands.
Have you ever purchased an Igloo cooler that claimed to offer three, five or seven days’ worth of ice retention, or 120 hours of ice retention? Did the cooler keep your ice as long as promised? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
Chung and the proposed Class Members are represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC and James Chung.
The Igloo Coolers Class Action Lawsuit is David Chung, et al. v. Igloo Products Corp., Case No. 1:20-cv-04926, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
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487 thoughts onIgloo Class Action Lawsuit Claims Coolers Don’t Retain Ice
I purchased a 38qt cooler on wheels. I got it precooled with old ice and when I placed new ice in it expecting to last at least 24 hours it didn’t last 5 hours and it was all melted. Waist of my money for the cooler and the 25 lbs ice I put init.
Same here, we have 2- 52qt coolers and filled it with ice for a road trip. 2 hours later it was melted . Waste of money