Amazon class action alleges secret zip code exclusion for Prime delivery

Amazon class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: A group of Amazon Prime members filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon.com Inc. 
• Why: The members argue that Amazon secretly downgraded its delivery service for Amazon Prime members living in historically underserved communities. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Washington federal court. 

Amazon covertly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to Amazon Prime members living in historically underserved communities in the U.S., a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

The Amazon Prime class action claims the company decided in mid-2022 to limit the way it delivers packages to Prime members living within specific underserved zip codes in the U.S. by exclusively relying on third-party delivery services such as UPS and USPS. 

“Rather than ensuring expedited delivery by using its own in-house, proprietary delivery systems, Amazon began relying exclusively on third-party delivery services,” the Amazon class action says. 

The four named plaintiffs want to represent a nationwide class of all persons residing in excluded zip codes who paid for an Amazon Prime membership. 

Amazon never informed residents their service was downgraded, class action says

The Amazon Prime members argue that Amazon’s decision to use third-party delivery services for underserved zip codes led to a “significant decrease” in both the speed and quality of their Prime service in those areas. 

Amazon never informed residents of the excluded zip codes about its decision or told new customers living in those zip codes about its policy when they signed up, the Amazon Prime class action alleges. 

“Amazon has concealed its delivery exclusion and deceptively implied that delivery delays were simply due to natural fluctuations in shipping circumstances, rather than an affirmative decision by Amazon,” the class action says. 

The consumers claim Amazon is violating the Washington Consumer Protection Act. They demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of restitution or damages for themselves and all class members. 

In other Amazon news, a Washington federal judge earlier this year dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against the company over claims it misled consumers about the quality of its Prime subscription service. 

Have you purchased an Amazon Prime membership while living in an underserved community? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Janelle N. Bailey of Washington Injury Law and Jarrett L. Ellzey and Leigh S. Montgomery of Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP. 

The Amazon Prime delivery class action lawsuit is King, et al. v. Amazon.com Inc., Case No. 2:24-cv-02009, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

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