Ohio and Other States Settle Advertising Dispute with Menards
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has announced a significant settlement regarding deceptive advertising practices by Menards. The settlement, amounting to $4.25 million, involves Ohio and nine other states that filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer.
Overview of the Settlement
The issues arose due to Menards’ advertising, which led customers to believe they were receiving an immediate 11% discount on all products. In reality, customers only received rebates applicable to future purchases.
Details of the Settlement
- Menards must clearly disclose all rules, limits, and conditions of its rebate programs.
- The company is prohibited from running ads that imply an immediate discount when that is not the case.
- Customers will now have a minimum of one year to submit rebate requests.
Impact on Ohio
Ohio is set to receive approximately $365,000 from the settlement. This amount will be allocated to the Consumer Protection Enforcement Fund. This fund enables the Ohio Attorney General’s office to investigate and tackle predatory business practices.
Statement from the Attorney General
Attorney General Yost emphasized the need for transparency in advertising. He stated, “Fine print shouldn’t cancel out big promises. If a deal isn’t an immediate discount, companies need to say that plainly so consumers can make informed choices.”
Menards’ Position
As part of the settlement, Menards maintained that their advertising was not false, misleading, or confusing to consumers. However, this agreement aims to ensure fairer practices moving forward.
