Can You File a Bait and Switch Lawsuit Against Grande Communications?

Consumers may be eligible to take legal action against Grande Communications if they were subject to a bait and switch pricing scheme.

What Is Bait and Switch Advertising?

Bait and switch advertising is a type of sales tactic in which companies advertise a certain product, service, or price as the “bait” to consumers. However, once consumers try to cash in on the seemingly attractive advertised deal, they are surprised when the company “switches” the product, service, or price to be a less valuable or different option.

In some situations, bait and switch advertisements may be used to upsell consumers. In these schemes, items are advertised for a lower price, only to be revealed as “out of stock” when consumers try to buy them. Instead, consumers may be directed to a more expensive item.

Bait and switch advertising can also occur in the financial sector – with banks and other lenders advertising low rates, knowing full well that most applicants cannot qualify for these attractive rates. Once consumers are offered a higher rate due to their credit score, companies and loan agents may be able to rake in higher profits through interest and commissions.

One notable example is auto financing offered at “rates as low as 0%.” Although these rates are attractive and draw consumers in, most applicants wouldn’t be able to qualify for these rates despite prominent financing advertisements.

When it comes to telecommunications companies, bait and switch pricing may include advertising certain speeds of internet or certain packages at a low price. Unfortunately, after consumers agree to this service, companies may upcharge them through fees and other additions to their monthly bill.

Regardless of how bait and switch schemes occur, they can have significant consequences for consumers. Customers may be deceived into signing up for services, purchasing products, and generally spending money when they otherwise wouldn’t have. Due to this financial damage, some consumers have taken legal action.

Are There Bait and Switch Laws?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prohibits bait and switch advertising and pricing schemes. Specifically, the regulator states that “No advertisement containing an offer to sell a product should be published when the offer is not a bona fide effort to sell the advertised product.”

In addition to these specific regulations, bait and switch pricing may violate consumer protection laws. Federal and state laws include provisions which prohibit unfair and deceptive business practices. In bait and switch class action lawsuits, consumers may argue that these schemes are in violation of consumer protection statutes.

Does Grande Communications Use Bait and Switch Pricing?

Grande Communications is a telecommunications company based in Texas which provides services to over 160,000 customers in the Austin, Dallas, Waco, Temple, Midland/Odessa, San Marcos, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi areas.

Although Grande Communications has not faced legal action from consumers, their customers have complained that they use bait and switch pricing to deceive their customers. For example, customer reviews on Best Company claim that the company charges continuously inflating prices for their services.

“Whatever advertised price will have so many fees that it will be nowhere near the advertised price,” one customer wrote in their review.

These reviews may be indicative of a larger issue in which consumers are advertised a lower price for Grande Communications services than is accurate.

Can I File An Internet Bait and Switch Lawsuit?

Unfortunately, internet and cable providers may use bait and switch pricing when advertising their services. These pricing schemes may result in consumers committing to an internet and cable service based on the belief that they will be charged a lower price. When their monthly bill comes, consumers may be shocked to find they have been locked into a much higher price than expected.

Consumers have several options when they are faced with bait and switch pricing schemes. They can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission which allows the regulator to take enforcement action against companies which engage in deceptive actions.

Unfortunately, this option doesn’t guarantee compensation for consumers. In some cases, consumers may be eligible to take legal action and seek damages from offending companies.

Attorneys are investigating three telecommunications companies for potential bait and switch misconduct. The companies included in this investigation are:

• RCN (Eastern US)
• Grande Communications (Texas)
• Wave Broadband (Pacific Northwest)

If you are a customer of one of these companies and pay a higher price for your internet than you were advertised, you may be eligible to take legal action.