New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Jonathan Mintz announced that The Sports Authority, along with Express LLC and Staples Inc., paid the city a total of $95,000 to settle charges that the companies refused customer returns without disclosing conditions of their return policies. The Sports Authority paid $10,000 while Express and Staples paid $50,000 and $35,000 respectively. All three companies used return-tracking company Return Exchange, but did not clearly post why returns may be denied, as required by the Citys Consumer Protection Law.
Acting Commissioner Mintz used the announcement as an opportunity to send a strong message to businesses looking to take advantage of consumers during the holiday season.
“Businesses can set their own policies and deny a return, they can even hire companies to track repeat-returners, but it is illegal to not disclose those terms before a purchase is made. Its good business practice, and its the law,” said DCA Acting Commissioner Jonathan Mintz. “Were pleased these major retailers have agreed to full compliance with New York Citys landmark Consumer Protection Law.”
