Company to Settle Advertising Suit

A company that manufactures storage containers for crafts agreed Thursday to pay $25,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing it of misleading advertising in the product’s packaging.

Eagle Affiliates Inc., a New Jersey corporation, also agreed to revise the packaging for CraftStor so consumers realize that some of the items depicted on the box are not included.

In agreeing to settle the lawsuit, which was filed in February by the consumer fraud unit of the district attorney’s office, Eagle admitted no wrongdoing.

CraftStor is a modular storage system for crafts and hobby supplies. The basic unit consists of a large container and lid, plus one tray that fits inside.

Pictures on the box, however, show the basic unit with several small white modules that can be stacked inside the large container.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mitchell Disney said his office launched an investigation after a woman who purchased CraftStor in a Ventura store complained because there were no white modules in the box.

“We’re not criticizing the product--it’s the packaging,” Disney said.

Disney said CraftStor is sold throughout Ventura County in such stores as Kmart, Wal-Mart and Ben Franklin Crafts.