I received a notice of a class action settlement from my Lexus dealer. It seems that it wasn't legal to charge a "document preparation fee" or similar fees. They are offering gift cards valued up to $399 depending upon what was paid at purchase time. This settlement goes back to 2003! I have to spend the gift card before February 4, 2010. Or I can opt out and file my own lawsuit - unlikely.

Now, what to buy, what to buy . . .?

 

So, what you're saying is that you just go to the Lexus dealership where you bought your car and expect the gift card worth up to $399???

 

you could buy '06 taillights. then sell them if you don't want them. or just sell the card on ebay. that's probably what i would do.

 

I had to "accept" the settlement and they're sending me the gift cards. I get two since I bought a 2003 and then bought out my 2001 lease in 2004. I'm now waiting on the gift cards to come in the mail. So it'll be somewhere between $450 and $800 when all is said and done. I misread the original offer and actually I had until Feb 4 to sign up. I don't know if there is an expiration date on the gift card and I don't know if the card is in my name or if I have to be present to spend it. Great idea on selling the card on ebay It's way too much money to just buy key fobs and shirts! If the cards don't expire I might wait until my LS needs it's 100K service. That would sure ease the pain.

 

Definitely get '06 taillights!!

@ Scorpio74-- Bon said it was his (Missouri) Lexus dealership named in the argument. I doubt it applies to other Lexus dealerships. I figured you wouldn't apply since you're listed in Texas. I was hoping I would be eligible too. haha.

 

was the class action suit limited to just your state ?

 

I think you'll find that in other States there are similar suits in progress. The basic interpretation by the States has been that "Possessing a financial stake in the outcome of a contract or loan does not defeat the fact that a non-lawyer charging a fee for document preparation constitutes the unauthorized business of law". In other words, by charging a fee for preparation of the documents they are acting as attorneys and thus practicing law without a license.

This is one of those things that I think will come around one State at a time so stay tuned and YOU could be the next winner!

 

Are you talking about the settlement from Lexus purchases from Hendrick Automotive Group?

This actually one of the better class-action settlements I have seen. Most class action settlements provide minimal benefit to the class members and lots of fees for the lawyers. It is really an embarrasment. In this case, the lawyers get $2.7 million, but at least the class members are getting something real (not just a credit on a new car purchase or something else they may never use). You get the value of the "document fee" you paid, so if someone paid only $25, that's all they'll get.

Hendrick needed this bogus fee to finance its NASCAR sweep!!

 

This is the Hendrick Automotive faq on the class action settlement:
http://settlements.dahl-inc.com/hendrick/pages/faq

It covers all their dealerships such as Lexus, Buick, Cadillac and Volvo.

Maybe they'll go back to charging for undercoating.

 

Does my 2006 come with 06 tail lights? I thought there was just 2...

 

LOL. You betcha!

 

2006+ tails would be nice....sell to someone looking for some like me!

ipod adapter if you don't have...I think you do??

g-spider wheels?

new floor mats?

car cover?

15k, 30k services?