T.J. Maxx pricing policy challenged

Framingham, Mass. – Off-price retailer T.J. Maxx provides “compare at” prices that tell shoppers how much cheaper an item is than it would be at a full-price department store, but how truthful are those comparisons?



According to a class action lawsuit brought against T.J. Maxx in San Francisco by two customers, Staci Chester and Daniel Friedman, “compare at” pricing leaves a lot of wiggle room for the retailer.



The suit states that the plaintiffs assumed “compare at” prices represented actual prices charged at area department stores. However, they are actually based on T.J. Maxx buying staff estimates of what prices might be in catalogs, specialty or department stores. While this policy is explained on the T.J. Maxx website, it is not stated on in-store price tags.



In the suit, T.J. Maxx is accused of unfair business practices, fraudulent business practices, unlawful business practices, false advertising, and violating California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act. In a statement to the Huffington Post, T.J. Maxx said its pricing policy is clearly explained both on its website and on in-store signage.