Amazon Sued for “Fake” Prime Day Deals: What Shoppers Need to Know

Think you scored a massive Prime Day bargain? A new lawsuit says the “deal” may have been smoke and mirrors. Check your receipts—then See if You Qualify for the Case.

The Allegations at a Glance

A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Washington state accuses Amazon of artificially inflating its “list prices” so that Prime Day markdowns appear far deeper than they really are. Shoppers claim the tactic breaches Washington’s Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits deceptive or misleading pricing practices.

Real-World Examples From the Complaint

• Headphones: Marketed as “44% off” during Prime Day, yet allegedly sold at that “sale” price for months beforehand.
• Vacuum cleaner: Advertised as 60% off $199.99 to $79.99. A week later, the same vacuum was tagged 20% off $99.99—but the final price stayed $79.99.

Why It Matters to Shoppers

When a retailer inflates list prices, buyers may rush to purchase under the false belief they’re saving big. According to the complaint, Amazon’s strategy:

1. Creates artificial urgency—Prime Day lasts just 48 hours, nudging customers to “lock in” the deal.
2. Increases sales volume—Prime Day generated an estimated $24 billion in 2023 alone.
3. Violates consumer-protection law—Washington requires that advertised reference prices reflect a bona-fide, recent selling price.

What the Lawsuit Seeks

Plaintiffs are asking the court to award:

• Monetary damages for affected shoppers
• Repayment of legal fees
• An injunction forcing Amazon to display accurate historical prices

Am I Part of the Class?

If you bought an item marketed as discounted on Prime Day and later discovered the “sale” price was actually standard, you could be in the proposed class. Eligibility often hinges on:

• Your state of residence (Washington law governs, but nationwide consumers may be included)
• The product’s listing and purchase date
• Whether you relied on the advertised discount to make your decision

Save your order confirmation emails. They are crucial proof if the class is certified and compensation becomes available.

Next Steps for Concerned Consumers

1. Review your recent Prime Day purchases and note the advertised discount percentages.

2. Keep screenshots or emails showing the “before” and “after” prices if you have them.

3. Stay informed—class actions move quickly. We’ll post updates the moment the court makes key rulings.

Ready to take action? It only takes two minutes to see whether your purchase qualifies. Start Your Free Claim Review