Info class action
Léon
On November 19, 2009 Option Consommateurs filed a motion to obtain the authorization to institute a class action against Meubles Léon Ltée, a retailer of home furnishings, appliances, electronics and mattresses.
Option Consonmmateurs claims that the retailer is misleading its clients through slogans such as “Yule pay obsolutely nothing! Not even the taxes! For 15 months!”, “Plus! Don't pay for 16 months!” and “No money down! 0% Interest! No monthly payments! On everything in our showroom!” In reality, consumers relying on Léon’s financing plan have, among other things, to pay an annual membership fee of $21.
Since May 1st, the financing plan “Buy now, pay later” comes with a membership fee charged by Citi Financial, one of the financial institutions managing Léon’s financing offers.
According to lawyer Stéphanie Poulin, head of Option Consommateurs’ legal services, “The imposition of these fees is in contradiction with the representations made by Léon. Those representations are false or misleading.” The class action seeks to obtain the reimbursement, for the benefit of class members, of a sum equivalent to the amounts charged as “an annual membership fee”. It also seeks to obtain the payment, per class member, of an amount of $100 as a reduction of their obligations. Finally, the class action seeks punitive damages in an amount of $5M.
Widespread practice?
This class action follows the one brought against The Brick at the beginning of November 2009 for its practices similar to the one denounced in the motion to obtain the authorization to institute a class action filed against Léon. Option Consommateurs believes that other retailers could be targeted by class actions similar to the ones filed against The Brick and Léon.
Notice to consumers
Options Consommateurs invites consumers who have been charged an “annual membership fee” as part of Léon's, The Brick’s or any other retailers' financing offers, to fill up an online questionnaire:
Léon :
www.option-consommateurs.org/besoin/appel_a_tous/74/
The Brick :
www.option-consommateurs.org/besoin/appel_a_tous/71/
Other retailers :
www.option-consommateurs.org/besoin/appel_a_tous/73/
Option Consommateurs is represented by the law firm Belleau Lapointe, LLP.
- Motion for authorization to institute a class action (French only)
Chronology
November 2009
Filing of the Motion for authorization to institute a class action.