Last month, a California
judge gave final approval to a settlement that will affect the way Lowe’s Home
Centers LLC advertises its 2x4s and other dimensional materials in California .
The Lowe’s 2×4 labeling lawsuit was filed on behalf of California consumers by
District Attorneys from five counties across the state. They alleged Lowe’s
“unlawfully advertised structural dimensional building products for sale.”
Under the terms of the settlement, the retailer will have to correct any
misleading descriptions from its 2x4s and other dimensional materials or remove
the noncompliant materials from its shelves.
The lumber measurement lawsuit was filed in response to
concerns from local Weights and Measures department representatives who found
that the common product measurements did not match up to the actual dimensions
of the building materials. For example, 2×4 pieces of lumber did not actually
measure 2 inches by 4 inches; instead, they are typically 1.5 inches by 3.5
inches.
The court documents indicate Lowe’s has been ordered to pay
nearly $1.5 million in civil penalties and legal costs as well as an additional
$150,000 that will be used to fund other consumer protection efforts. Lowe’s
will also be required to display actual dimensions next the commonly-used
measurements in product descriptions.
“Consumers should expect when making product purchases that
retailers are providing accurate information,” Marin County District Attorney
Edward S. Berberian said in a statement. “Especially when misinformation could
adversely affect building projects that more often than not rely on precise
measurements.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Lowe’s will be subject to
an injunction prohibiting it from selling 2x4s in less quantity than represented
and from labeling the product that misrepresents the product’s actual
dimensions. “Common descriptions” must be followed by actual dimensions, and
the dimensions must use include abbreviations such as “in.,” “ft.” or “yd.”
instead of symbols such as ‘ or “ when providing measurements.
The Lowe’s 2×4 labeling settlement will mean that California customers
will not be able to identify the dimensional materials by actual and common
dimensions. For example, customers seeking to purchase a piece of lumber often
referred to as a 2×4 will see both the common name (2×4) and the actual
dimensions (1.5 x 3.5 inches) of the product.
The Lowe’s settlement will affect the in-store signage of
nearly 100 Lowe’s stores in California .
3 comments:
Those funny people in California have done it again. Watch out for the 4x8 sheathing that isn't a full 4x8.
Really??? What a bunch of bull in the name of 'political correctness'. Does this mean there will be similar suits against all of us that use the nominal dimension reference when selling a product? Lowe's must have some really suck lawyers to let that get by.
I think this was prophesied in the book of Revelation. The nuts are definitely in charge in CA.
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