New Jersey Couple Suing Fast Food Chain Over $2.18

Popo le Chien [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

What is the cost of pride? $2.18 apparently.

Back in May a couple from New Jersey, Nelson Estrella-Rojas and Joann Estrella, saw a commercial on TV for Taco Bell. They were announcing the $5 Chalupa Cravings boxes. Well, the Estrellas got excited and headed on over to their nearest Taco Bell to pick up a couple.

When they were charged, they noted that the boxes actually cost $6.06 each before tax, so they asked to speak to a manager. The manager told them that the commercial states that price may vary by location.

This incensed the couple so much that rather than just eating the $2.18, they decided to hire a lawyer to sue Taco Bell and their parent company, Yum! The lawyer states that couple sustained an ascertainable loss,” which included wasted time, gas, and of course the most important part – that $2.18.

Now make sure to note that in order to file a civil suit in the state of New Jersey it costs $250. That’s the equivalent of 41 Chalupa Cravings boxes.

Their attorney stated, “You can’t tell someone you are going to charge them $5 in big bold print and then take it away with a fine print disclaimer.” Then went on to say, “You can’t do that. It’s against the law.”

The case has been transferred to a federal court since Taco Bell’s headquarters are not located in New Jersey, and there’s a potential for over $75,000 in punitive damages.

Imagine that, $75,000 potentially because someone had a beef with a Chalupa Box and paying an extra $2.18. Wow.

Source:: Vice