So there I was, minding my own business as usual, when all of a sudden I get a postcard asking me if I wanted to participate in a class action lawsuit. It was filed by some folks I never heard of, against Progressive Insurance for alleged over-billing. Well, I wasn't busy, the promise of untold riches stirred my imagination, so I went on line and said, "Sure!" I figured that'd be the last I ever hear of the matter.
SScchhaazzzzaaaammmm! From out of nowhere came my friendly postal service carrier, with a smallish, folded postcard with my name on it. I fevereshly tore it open, (nearly injuring myself in the process), and read that we had one the suit. YYYYEEEEEHHHhhhaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! Now I can get that Aston DB9 I've been dreaming about. I can take my wife on a cruise around the world. I can retire. I can pay for my grandchildrens college expenses. Surely cleaning ladies, chefs, gardeners, and butlers are in my future. Maybe even a summer place on the Riveria.
Hey! I don't mind telling you, by this time, my palms were really sweaty.
The details of the settlement began to be revealed as I breathlessly read on. First and foremost, Progressive Insurance admitted absolutely NO wrong-doing of any sort. (well natch) Second, the intrepid, skillfull, brave, selfless, tireless attorneys, who fought the good fight to win this settlement for the little guys that were ruthlessly abused by this industry giant are to be paid $4,500,000. Third was the "little guys" settlement, which was...........................................
One free credit report from the reporting agency of our choice.
That DB9 might just have to wait until next year. Ummm hummm.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
Too funny Mr. V. Apparently you haven't been swept into a class action suit before. I got the same letter this week about being able to get a free credit report - usually you don't have to do anything to be in the class, but you need to notify them if you DON'T want to be in the class, such as if you thought you had a particularly good case and wanted to sue on your own.
When I did more investing back in my teens I was in a couple class action suits against companies I had owned stock in. Those suits actually did result in a little cash - maybe $150 all together... not enough to be able to skip college and go directly into retirement though.
That must be the second suit of the same kind against progressive. I used them about 3 years ago and there was a suit against them that I got involved with. They were basically paying insurance dealers (places that sell several types of insurance) to not inform customers that other insurance places might have a lower price. I found out about the lawsuit and went to my insurance place, changed my insurance and saved over 100 bucks a month. They screwed me for a little over a year. I think I got something like 44 bucks out of the settlement.
I've had progressive for about 2 years now and they are a pretty good deal for me in Florida... the land of the bloated insurance premium. About $1K per year total for my car and the missus' car. I haven't found anyone who is lower than that.
I went in for one of those against blockbuster. think I got about 1.50 from them. never mind that the premise of the case involved late fees of which Id paid almost 100 dollars of.
just say no to class action suits. If you do then the conglomeration wins. If you go for it, the lawyers win. Let the bastards fight it out in hell.
I had one a class action suit letter sent to me re: Nextel. I couldn't be bothered as I had to contact them and there was no post card etc. involved.
Something about being charged a fee for some sort of BS. All of the cell phone companies take us for a ride here in the states in one way or antoher. I've just found a way to cut my cell phone bill by nearly $30 a month, without joinging a class action suit.
These seem to fit with me into a catagory similar to the Publisher's House Sweepstakes. "People really win" my ass!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
