But scrutiny of delivery promises kept and otherwise continues
of ConsumerAffairsA Washington State judge on Friday dismissed the latest proposed class-action lawsuit that accused Amazon of misleading consumers with its guaranteed delivery promises, handing a legal win to the e-commerce giant as it continues to face mounting scrutiny over its shipping practices.
The complaint, brought by a group of Amazon Prime members, alleged that the companys widely advertised guaranteed delivery dates were routinely missed, particularly during peak seasons. Plaintiffs claimed that they had relied on these promises for time-sensitive purchases and that the delays caused financial and personal harm.
This isnt just about inconvenience, said lead plaintiff Laura Kingsley in a statement before the ruling. Its about accountability. If a company says guaranteed, then it should be just thatguaranteed.
But in Fridays ruling, the judge found the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a consistent pattern of deceptive conduct or sufficient evidence of harm. The court pointed to Amazons terms of service, which describe delivery windows as estimates unless specifically marked as guaranteed.
Amazon is 'pleased'
In response, Amazon welcomed the decision.
Were pleased with the courts ruling, said Amazon spokesperson Megan Halperin. We work hard to deliver on time and offer appropriate remedies when we dont meet expectationsincluding refunds, credits, and Prime membership extensions. The vast majority of our deliveries arrive when promised.
The case is the latest in a string of legal battles over Amazons delivery practices.
In July 2024, a similar lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Tana Lin. That suit accused Amazon of misleading Prime subscribers by charging a $9.95 delivery fee for Whole Foods ordersdespite marketing Prime as offering free delivery. The court ruled that Amazon had adequately disclosed the fees.
Meanwhile, in December 2024, a separate class-action complaint accused the company of covertly excluding underserved ZIP codes from its fastest Prime delivery service, a practice plaintiffs described as digital redlining. Amazon denied the allegations, saying delivery options are based on logistics and carrier availability.
Is there a pattern?
Some legal experts see a pattern emerging.
Amazons user agreements are tightly written, and courts have generally sided with them unless theres blatant deception, said Professor Dana Mueller, a consumer law expert at the University of Washington. But public perception is another matter. Consumers expect guarantees to mean something, especially when theyre paying for Prime.
In February 2025, Amazon was also hit with a class action under Washingtons new My Health My Data Act, alleging unauthorized collection of sensitive user information through mobile app development tools. That case, still pending, marks a broader challenge to Amazons handling of consumer trust.
Despite Fridays ruling, some consumer advocates say the fight isn't over.
Courts may defer to fine print, but that doesnt mean Amazon should keep hiding behind it, said Eliza Moreno, director of the Consumer Fairness Project. People pay for reliability. If the company cant deliver, it should stop overpromising.
With over 200 million Prime members globally, the companys delivery performance remains under the microscope. And while this latest lawsuit may be over, the scrutiny is far from finished.
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Posted: 2025-03-24 18:22:17
