Panda Express customers set to receive $1.4 million amid allegations firm slapped hidden 10% fees onto orders during the pandemic – are YOU eligible for a refund?
Panda Express customers are expected to receive $1.4 million amid allegations that the company has stuck hidden fees of 10% on orders during the pandemic – are YOU eligible for a refund?
- Panda Express will pay $1.4 million amid claims it imposed “hidden fees” on customers
- Chain restaurant has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to pay the money
- Customers who placed an order online between July 17, 2020 and February 16, 2022 are eligible to apply
Panda Express has agreed to pay out $1.4 million for imposing “hidden fees” on customers when they ordered online.
Consumers who placed an order with the fast food chain via the app or website between July 17, 2020 and February 16, 2022 are invited to request compensation.
The US-Chinese company was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that “hundreds of thousands” of customers paid hidden delivery charges that were not properly disclosed. Panda Express denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to settle the lawsuit.
The allegations center around allegations that the company advertised low delivery prices – usually around $2.95 – but then added a 10 percent “service charge” for online orders.
Panda Express has agreed to pay out $1.4 million over claims it imposed ‘hidden fees’ on customers when they ordered online
Parent company Panda Restaurant Group Inc. was accused of cashing in on the boom in online deliveries during the pandemic.
The California Superior Court for Los Angeles County has not yet fully approved the settlement, with a final hearing set for Nov. 8.
Customers have until January 10, 2024 to submit their claim. Only those who have paid service charges in the specified date range are eligible for payment. However, they do not require proof of purchase to compensate
They will be compensated via a cash payment – up to a maximum of $10 – or up to two free medium entry vouchers that can be redeemed on the Panda Express website or app.
The lawsuit comes amid widespread backlash against hidden junk fees charged by companies.
Earlier this year, DailyMail.com revealed how good last-minute delivery apps drove as much as 25 percent surcharges on customer orders.
DailyMail.com placed the same order, costing $49.70, at a Joe & The Juice store in New York City via apps DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats
To illustrate just how much customers are forced to pay extra for food delivery, reporters placed the same order, worth $49.70, at a Joe & The Juice store in New York City through the apps DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats.
Then we compared the costs involved: before and after a 20 percent tip.
Delivery app Seamless, which operates in more than 600 cities in the US, is now owned by Grubhub, while DoorDash bought competitor Caviar in 2020. Fewer choices means customers have little choice but to pay for additional add-ons on their deliveries.
DailyMail.com reached out to Panda Express for comment. To submit a lawsuit claim, please visit: https://deliveryservicefeesettlement.com/Home/SubmitClaim.