Jo-Ann class action claims retailer does not provide written warranty information as required

Jo-Ann class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Sarah Leflar filed a class action lawsuit against Jo-Ann Stores LLC
• Why: Jo-Ann allegedly fails to provide customers with access to product warranty information before they make a purchase, in violation of federal warranty laws.
• Where: The Jo-Ann class action lawsuit was filed in Arkansas circuit court.

Jo-Ann Stores LLC fails to provide consumers with access to written warranties in violation of federal warranty laws, according to a class action lawsuit filed Oct. 7 in Arkansas.

Plaintiff Sarah Leflar says she has purchased products from Jo-Ann Stores that cost more than $15 and are thus subject to a manufacturer’s warranty. She says warranties are important to her and she may have chosen a product over another if it had a more expansive warranty.

However, Leflar says Jo-Ann does not display warranties for products in its stores or otherwise advise customers about the availability of product warranties.

“Accordingly, [Leflar] was unable–and continues to be unable–to access any warranty associated with products offered by [Jo-Ann] until after the point of sale,” the Jo-Ann class action lawsuit alleges.

Warranty laws require retailers to provide access to warranty information before they buy, Jo-Ann class action says

Leflar claims that Jo-Ann’s failure to provide warranty information to customers before they buy a product violates the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act’s “Pre-Sale Availability Rule.”

The Jo-Ann class action lawsuit explains that the Pre-Sale Availability Rule is meant to ensure consumers can obtain complete information about warranty terms and conditions before they purchase a product that costs more than $15 so that they know what to expect if there is an issue with the product.

Leflar also explains that the Pre-Sale Availability Rule promotes competition regarding warranty coverage.

“By assuring that consumers can get warranty information, the Rule encourages sales promotion on the basis of warranty coverage and competition among companies to meet consumer preferences through various levels of warranty coverage,” the Jo-Ann class action lawsuit says.

To comply with this rule, Leflar explains that retailers must make the terms of a product’s written warranty available for examination by prospective buyers. For example, they can either display the warranty near the product or place prominent signs around the store letting consumers know that they may inspect product warranties upon request.

Jo-Ann fails to comply with its obligations to make warranties available to prospective buyers, the Jo-Ann class action lawsuit claims.

Leflar filed the Jo-Ann class action lawsuit on behalf of herself and a proposed class of Arkansas residents who have shopped at a Jo-Ann store.

Jo-Ann previously faced a class action lawsuit alleging its website failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide access to blind and visually-impaired people.

Do product warranties affect your purchasing decisions? Let us know what you think of the allegations in the Jo-Ann class action lawsuit!

Leflar is represented by David Slade and Brandon Haubert of wh Law and Jerry Kelly of Kelly Law Firm PA.

The Jo-Ann Class Action Lawsuit is Sarah Leflar v. Jo-Ann Stores LLC, Case No. 4:22-cv-00969-BRW, in the Circuit Court of Lonoke County, Arkansas.

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