WHAT YOU CAN GET IF A BUSINESS OVERCHARGES YOU….

It is all to common for businesses to overcharge folks during Holiday Sales.  Failing to honor advertised discounts, failing to give the sale price at the register, or giving the wrong sale price at the register can all be violations of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act. (ORS 646.608)    Many people are overcharged and are unaware of it until they have the opportunity to review their receipt.   

Once the consumer returns to the store to resolve the price discrepancy they are greeted with long customer service lines and sometimes difficult staff that may not be very helpful.  Some stores ask consumers to call the “customer service” hotline.   It is no surprise many consumers give up simply due to the hassle of dealing with the return, but they shouldn’t.

Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act allows for consumers to file a lawsuit and seek either the cost of the item back, or $200.00, whichever is greater.  (ORS 646.638 (1)) To date, Oregon Courts have yet to resolve the issue of whether a consumer is entitled to  monetary compensation for inconvenience and emotional distress, so those damages may also be available. Additionally, if a consumer prevails their Attorney’s Fees and Court Costs should be paid by the business that overcharged them. Many attorneys in Oregon, such as Jeremiah Ross at Ross Law LLC, will take these cases on a contingency fee.  That means that the client may not  have to pay any Attorney’s fees or costs if they elect to file a lawsuit against the business that ripped them off. 

If you believe you have been ripped off by a business or overcharged, contact Portland Oregon based Jeremiah Ross at Ross Law LLC.  Call503.224.1658 for your free telephone consultation regarding your fraud or unlawful trade practices case. 

This post is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for legal advice.  Please remember the law is constantly changing and you should consult with an Attorney prior to making any decision regarding pursuing a case against a business who may have overcharged you.  This  post does not create an Attorney Client relationship.