A newly filed class action lawsuit alleges that furniture retailer Joybird ran perpetual fake sales by inflating “original” reference prices to make discounts appear larger than they actually were. A parallel investigation is underway targeting Bassett Furniture for similar alleged practices. Learn more about consumer class actions at OpenClassActions.com.
What Are the Allegations?
The complaint, German et al. v. Stitch Industries Inc. d/b/a Joybird, was filed on March 2, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiffs allege that Joybird displayed inflated “original” or “compare at” prices next to discounted sale prices on its furniture products — but that these reference prices were fabricated and the products were never actually sold at the higher price for any meaningful period of time.
This practice is commonly known as “false reference pricing” or “fictitious original pricing.” It works by creating the illusion of a significant bargain when in reality the “sale” price is the regular price the company always intended to charge.
The Bassett Investigation
Separately, attorneys have opened a formal investigation into Bassett Furniture for similar “endless sale” practices. The investigation is examining whether Bassett artificially inflated reference prices and ran continuous promotions that made discounts appear deeper than they were. As of March 2026, the Bassett investigation has not yet resulted in a filed complaint, but the firm conducting the inquiry is actively seeking potential claimants from California, Oregon, and Washington.
Why Are Fake Discount Cases Increasing?
False reference pricing has become a major enforcement target for both state attorneys general and private plaintiffs’ firms. California, Oregon, and Washington have particularly strong consumer protection statutes that prohibit advertising products as discounted from a fabricated higher price. The FTC has also signaled increased scrutiny of deceptive pricing practices in e-commerce.
The furniture industry has faced particular scrutiny because of the prevalence of “perpetual sale” marketing — where products are never sold at the listed “original” price and every day is a “sale” day.
Who May Be Affected?
Consumers who purchased furniture or home goods from Joybird or Bassett while relying on an advertised discount from a reference price may be eligible. The Joybird complaint focuses on consumers in California, though the case may expand. The Bassett investigation is examining purchases in California, Oregon, and Washington.
| Detail | Information |
| Joybird Case | German et al. v. Stitch Industries Inc. d/b/a Joybird |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Central District of California |
| Filed | March 2, 2026 |
| Bassett | Investigation stage — no complaint filed yet |
| Firms | Hattis Lukacs & Corrington |
| Allegations | Fake reference pricing, perpetual false discounts |
This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Visit OpenClassActions.com to find open class actions and settlements.
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