Potpourri Group subscription auto-renew $2.3M class action settlement

Potpourri Group Inc., a multi-brand and multi-channel retailer, has agreed to pay $2.3 million to end class action claims the retailer enrolled certain California customers without their consent in automatically renewing subscriptions for the company’s VIP membership programs and charged customers for the membership without fully informing customers about the renewal terms. 

Class members include all California residents who were enrolled in any Potpourri Group Inc. VIP membership program between June 10, 2016, and Feb. 15, 2022, and were charged one or more fees for the membership programs. 

Potpourri Group owns the following brands, and allegedly created auto-renewing VIP membership programs for all of them:

• Cuddledown
• NorthStyle
• The Pyramid Collection
• Serengeti
• In The Company of Dogs
• Magellan’s
• Catalog Favorites
• Young Explorers
• Back in the Saddle
• Whatever Works
• Country Store
• Potpourri
• Expressions
• Nature’s Jewelry
• The Stitchery
• SageFinds
• TravelSmith
• Chadwicks

Plaintiffs Laurie Gore and Cynthia Tate filed the Potpourri Group class action lawsuit In September 2022, arguing the company violated California law requiring companies to adequately inform customers of auto-renewal policies for subscriptions before charging them for such subscriptions. 

Gore and Tate asserted they were financially injured by the company’s actions. The two customers stated that had they been sufficiently informed of the company’s auto-renewal policy, they might not have chosen to purchase subscriptions. They explain that they chose to file a class action lawsuit because they were among many customers who were signed up for auto-renewing subscriptions without their consent.

Potpourri Group Inc. has not admitted wrongdoing in response to these consumer claims but has agreed to settle the claims to avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation. 

Of the $2.3 million settlement amount, up to 38% has been allocated for attorney fees, plus litigation expenses of up to $95,000. Class representatives are eligible to receive up to $50,000 of the settlement amount. 

Class members will be eligible for a proportional payment of the settlement amount, allocated after attorney fees and costs as well as class representative payments have been allocated.

Class members who wish to object to or exclude themselves from the Potpourri Group auto-renewing subscriptions settlement must do so by Nov. 28, 2022.

To receive class action settlement benefits, class members must file a valid claim by Nov. 28, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

California residents who were enrolled in any Potpourri Group Inc. VIP membership program between June 10, 2016, and Feb. 15, 2022, and were charged one or more fees for the membership programs. 

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

11/28/2022

Case Name

Gore v. Potpourri Group Inc, et al., Case No. 37-2020-00019745-CU-BT-CTL, in the San Diego County Superior Court

Final Hearing

01/06/2023

Settlement Website

PotpourriGroupSettlement.com/index

Claims Administrator

Gore v. Potpourri Group, Inc.
c/o CPT GROUP, Inc.
50 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
PotpourriGroupSettlement@cptgroup.com
888-388-0310

Class Counsel

Zach P Dostart
DOSTART HANNINK LLP

Defense Counsel

Christine M Reilly
MANATT PHELPS & PHILLIPS LLP