To resolve lawsuit over false advertising, Redbull to give cash or free drinks to customers
YOUR RIGHT OF THE DAY: If you bought a Red Bull drink in the last 10 years, you are entitled to either $10 cash or $15 in free drinks.1
More refunds! Yesterday we told you about the government’s takedown of AT&T for shady business practices, forcing that company to give refunds to many of its customers. Now Red Bull is agreeing to settle a lawsuit for false advertising, paying out money or giving free drinks to anybody who purchased a Red Bull drink over the last 10 years (so basically all of us).
What law did Red Bull allegedly violate?
Most states have laws saying that manufacturers may not mislead you in their advertising and marketing, and if they do, you are entitled to compensation.1
Several customers sued Red Bull for false advertising, claiming that
Even though there is a lack of genuine scientific support for a claim that Red Bull branded energy drinks provide any more benefit to a consumer than a cup of coffee, [Red Bull] persistently and pervasively market[s] their product as a superior source of ‘energy’ worthy of a premium price over a cup of coffee or other sources of caffeine.
However, while Red Bull is agreeing to this settlement totaling $13 million, it denies it did anything wrong, stating:
Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation. However, Red Bull maintains that its marketing and labeling have always been truthful and accurate, and denies any and all wrongdoing or liability.
How do I get in on this?
It’s pretty easy to get your $10 or $15 in free drinks; you don’t even need to provide proof of purchase! Just fill out a claim form by March 2, 2015. You may have some trouble with that link due to heavy traffic, so you can try the following options instead:
Contact the Class Action Settlement Administrator:
- By e-mail to energydrinksettlement@gcginc.com
- By fax at 844-553-1373
- By mail to Energy Drink Settlement, c/o GCG, P.O. Box 35123, Seattle, WA 98124-5123
So when do I get my money/drinks?
Unfortunately justice is not always so swift. You may have to wait up to a year to get your compensation! The court first needs to approve the settlement, which it won’t do until May. Then Red Bull has up to 5 months (October 2015) to fulfill any claims. Yes, it’s a long wait, but before you heard about the settlement, you didn’t expect to get anything from Red Bull, right?
1Source: The Red Bull lawsuit specifically alleges violations of the New York Deceptive Acts and Practices Act, N.Y. General Business Law Sections 349 and 350; California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Cal. Civil Code beginning at Section 1750; and “consumer protection acts of 40 other states.”