Lawsuits accuse Chipotle, Forever 21 of skimming pennies
Are Chipotle and Forever 21 — which have been accused in recent days of fleecing their patrons out of pennies — money-grubbing Scrooges or high-volume companies focused on efficiency?
After Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. was accused of rounding bills to the nearest 5-cent amount, the restaurant chain said the tactic was a time-saving measure used in especially busy stores. Because totals were adjusted both up and down, the company said, it wasn’t making a profit off the practice.
But late last month, a class-action complaint was filed against Chipotle in federal court in California alleging that the chain “routinely overcharged” its customers.
Meanwhile, Miami lawyer Carolyn Kellman sued Forever 21 Inc., saying she tried to get refunds for two items and, each time, was credited back a penny less than what she paid. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, focuses on a $14.46 pair of black denim shorts and an $11.57 black skirt.
Forever 21 declined to comment on the suit.
On Twitter, some people took Kellman’s view.
“Those pennies add up,” wrote Twitter user srayez28.
“Watch your receipts.... I can’t believe some retail stores actually steal from their customers,” tweeted cassidillausc.
Others said the issue has been overblown.
“I think stores should go ahead and round away,” tweeted CreateEccentric.
“I can’t remember the last time I used a penny,” missy_kelley tweeted.
