Safeway and Albertsons are accused of misleading customers on their “Buy One, Get One Free” promotion for meat products.
A pair of customers filed a class action lawsuit in Multnomah County arguing the grocery stores raised the price of meat so customers actually paid more to cover the cost of the ‘free’ product.
“You are not allowed to do that. It's not free. It's a lie," said Portland attorney David Sugerman, who represents the plaintiffs in the case.
The lawsuit claims Safeway and Albertsons grocery stores in Oregon offer specials on meat products every day sold as “Buy One, Get One Free,” or “Buy One, Get Two Free.”
According to the lawsuit, consumers buying these specials are paying more per pound than regularly priced meat and they’re buying more product.
“You can’t sell your boneless, skinless chicken breast at $9.99 a pound, ‘Buy One Get One Free,’ when they are otherwise available at $2.89 a pound,” said Sugerman. “That’s not free. That is deceptive advertising.”
Shoppers outside of a Safeway store in Northwest Portland said they expected to get a discount when items are promoted as “Buy One, Get One Free.”
“It seems like it should be a better deal,” said Safeway shopper Kitrina King.
The lawsuit claims the pricing strategy violates Oregon consumer protection laws.
A spokesperson for Safeway and Albertsons declined to comment because of pending litigation.
