A major auto parts retailer with 330 locations “intentionally overcharged customers by $10 million for years.”
An auto parts retailer was caught completely overcharging his customers.
Carquest Auto Parts is embroiled in a $10 million lawsuit from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.
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The law firm alleges that the parts warehouse “knowingly and intentionally” charged higher prices between 2017 and 2023.
This offense not only violated California state law, but also violated a court order the company received in 2012.
According to the lawsuit, Carquest has 330 locations across the country. According to the lawsuit, these stores failed at least 24 inspections between 2017 and 2023.
During inspections between 2017 and 2021, customers were overcharged by an average of 12 percent.
Carquest was informed of the investigation by the California District Attorney’s Office in 2021.
However, in 2022 they got even worse, charging customers an average of 14 percent overprices.
According to the lawsuit, the overloading only extended into 2023.
Inspections of 43 stores in 20 counties in July found that 91 percent of the stores were failing, even though Carquest was reportedly aware of the problem.
The lawsuit alleges that the auto parts store has a history of overbidding customers.
After the 2012 court order, the company was found to be again overcharging its customers in several counties, the lawsuit says.
Carquest received numerous citations for their violations and thousands of dollars in fines.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office is seeking a $10 million fine against the company and the return of funds to customers.