Hagens Berman Investigates Starbucks Regarding Claims of Hidden Fees

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Nov 17, 2011, 11:36 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle-based Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is investigating claims that the Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX), also based in Seattle, misled consumers by charging hidden fees on bags of coffee beans.

According to published reports, Starbucks recently ended a policy of adding an additional charge to bags of coffee beans weighing less than one pound – including half-pound bags. The fee in some cases may have been as high as $1.50 per bag. The fee was not applied to bags weighing a pound or more.

The state of Massachusetts recently fined Starbucks for failing to adequately disclose the fee to consumers. The surcharge was reportedly tacked on without itemizing the charge on receipts or otherwise notifying customers. In some cases, the fee was listed on receipts but was not identified or explained.

Hagens Berman is investigating this issue to determine if Starbucks violated the law by failing to adequately disclose the fee to consumers.

The firm encourages consumers who purchased Starbucks Coffee and believe they may have been charged the fee unknowingly to contact the firm. The firm can be reached for a consultation by calling 206-623-7292 or by emailing [email protected].

More information can be found at www.hbsslaw.com/starbucksfee.

About Hagens Berman

Seattle-based Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP represents workers, whistleblowers, investors and consumers in complex litigation. The firm has offices in Boston, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1993, HBSS continues to successfully fight for investor rights in large, complex litigation. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Visit the firm's class-action law blog at www.classactionlawtoday.com.

Contact: Mark Firmani, Firmani + Associates Inc., 206.443.9357 or [email protected].

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP