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A class action lawsuit that alleges Google’s Google Play gift cards violate California law by being too difficult to redeem should be tossed out, or at the least moved to the correct district, the tech giant says.
Google urged a California federal court to dismiss the class action lawsuit, which was filed in February, and added that if the case was to continue, it must be moved to the appropriate court.
According to the company’s terms of service that govern Google Play gift cards, disputes must be resolved in the federal or state courts of Santa Clara County, in the Northern District of California, Law360 reports. The current class action lawsuit was filed in the Central District.
Google Play gift card holders Henk Meyers and Glenn Goza, the lead Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, say that Google’s security system makes it almost impossible for holders of authentic gift cards to redeem their purchases or gifts.
Gift card holders are required to fill out a form saying when and where the gift card was purchased, and provide receipts documenting the purchase, requests that are difficult for many gift card holders – especially those who received the cards as a gift, Meyers and Goza say.
“Google’s arbitrary barriers to redemption likely dissuaded many gift card holders from redeeming their cards, either because they lacked the information requested or found it too burdensome,” Meyers said in the claim.
According to the claim, Google also uses an algorithm in its security system that often flags authentic gift cards as suspicious, invalidating them.
Meyers and Goza say that Google is violating California law with these practices, as the law requires gift card issuers to ensure cards are redeemable in cash for the value or can be replaced at no cost to the buyer or holder.
“As a result of its practices, Google was able to pocket the funds spent on Google Play gift cards that should have been redeemable by these card holders,” Meyers said.
However, Google says that the California law governing gift certificates doesn’t affect Google Play gift cards. The company says that its Google Play gift cards are within the law’s exception for gift cards as they are redeemable with multiple sellers.
“Because Google Play gift cards are usable to purchase from multiple sellers, Google could not, as a matter of law, violate California’s gift certificate law,” Google said, adding the claims by Meyers and Goza lacked merit.
Meyers and Goza want to represent anyone nationwide who had a Google Play gift card denied by the company.
Google is also facing another class action lawsuit, that alleges that the tech giant engages in illegal, omnipresent surveillance of people’s lives, in a way much worse than George Orwell imagined in his classic science fiction book 1984. Salvatore Toronto, a Google account holder, alleges the Internet giant continues to violate privacy laws, even after a record $170 million privacy settlement in 2019.
Have ever had any issues redeeming a Google Play gift card? Let us know in the comments section!
The gift card holders are represented by Richard D. McCune, David C. Wright and Elaine S. Kusel of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP.
Google is represented by Michelle C. Doolin, Whitty Somvichian and Sharon Song of Cooley LLP.
The Google Play Gift Card Class Action Lawsuit is Meyers v. Alphabet Inc. et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-01767, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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91 thoughts onGoogle Says That Lawsuit Claiming Gift Cards Are Too Hard to Redeem Should Be Tossed Out
Wtf is up with this stupid bullshit. I’m experiencing the same issue but luckily mine is only worth $10. F***ing google is a company I trusted to provide good products which should include good customer service. Clearly, they are quick to take people’s money but are not quick to hold up their end of the deal. And their response to this class action law suit that’s previously been filed, is disgusting. Not only are they unwilling to provide any type of resolution but they are making rude comments like the claim has no merit. Well, I hope Google gets exploited for the real company it is and that those of us, who have been flicked to the side and disregarded, can create some type of turmoil for Google. Through protests, or lawyers, there has got to be some way to hold Google accountable. Taking from the less privileged even though they are beyond a billionaire company. Money hungry bastards.
Add me I bought so many cards
I purchased a $120 gift card from Smiths Marketplace. I added the card and received the notice that it had issues. I had thrown away the reciept as I walked out of the store and when this issue happened I was dumbfounded. I spent my good money on this card to only be treated like a fraudster. I uploaded my credit card statement and I’m going to keep submitting requests and until I get a real answer. This is a predatory practice and google should pay a price for stealing our money with no legitimate answers.
It’s been 4 months I’ve been battling to try to get my $200 Google Play gift card I have the receipt I have to give card the codes it took me a month the first time just to get it and then out of nowhere they After it was finally redeemed the very next day they took it off of my account and never returned it They even went to the trouble of changing my email accounts birth date on my account making it seem like I’m under 10yr old that way I have no access to anything this is fraudulent and Google should be put out of business because it’s clear what they’re doing to the people that make them who they are it’s sick I don’t know am I out $200 have receipts and everything but they went to the trouble of pretty much making my email address unaccessible only through my other email can I be apparent account and do anything to it This was by design from Google and it’s Extremely worry some that a company would do this
This is still happening, lost 100$ basically goes. “The card you’ve entered the code for contains 100$. Do you want to add the 100$ now?” “Yes.” “Oh uh we need more information.” Then I submit the info and nope. Guess I’m unlucky victim 4980923480.
It’s gotten even worse now you can’t even contact them as their custo.er support is always closed. I bought a 110.00 gift card and it showed the amount and then rejected it. I filled out the form sent the photos and it’s been a week with no communication from Google at all.
I have the same issue. I have sent receipt and card photos, and here is the response after two days: “According to our system, your Google Account or one of the Play Gift Cards you submitted isn’t eligible for appeal or has already been submitted. Please wait for the appeal decision to submit again”. Google play gift card is totally a scam. I lost $200 on this scam.
Google play is a scam , can’t redeem any of my gift cards $1000 in the garbagr, i send proof, receipts photo of thr carss and nothing. Open a lawsuit lets suit google!!!
Google won’t let me use my gift card that was claimed in google play. I’ve contacted them multiple times about this issue,and they promised they will have it resolved, it’s been multiple 24-48 hrs they requested to have this issue resolved, yet I’m not able to use my play credit and they refused to issue a refund. I feel they’re purposely stealing from users.
Google play is a scam , can’t redeem any of my gift cards $1000 in the garbagr, i send proof, receipts photo of thr carss and nothing. Open a lawsuit lets suit google!!!
I have several $100 google play gift cards purchased from supermarket chains or via PayPal. Google will not let me redeem them. They ask for more details, which I provide, then say I can’t use it. The email includes a link that does nothing to explain why I can’t redeem the gift card.
Same issue in France i have no answer from google they rob me 500e
I will meet à layer tomorow
Seems i am not the only one…i got ripped $1000 i was able to redeem $300 and then they suspended my account. I am out $1000 and no refund. I have receipts, proof and notbing.. google is a scam
I spent 80 dollars for a card