You are now able to claim your $25 Loblaws card, but be sure to read the fine print
Last month we learned that Loblaws had been involved with price fixing bread products for over a decade. To help make up for their miss-deeds, the Canadian chain announced that they would be offering $25 gift cards to customers that purchased certain bread products between 2001 and 2015. Those interested in receiving their $25 could sign up to be notified when the registration went live.
Well, this week, the emails to register for the $25 Loblaws gift card have officially been sent out. If you signed up but still have yet to receive it, be sure to check your junk mail folder, or you can just go straight to loblawcard.ca. While the original sign up site was devoid of much information regarding the card, the new site has been updated with a list of products that apply to the program, as well as fine print regarding the legality of the gift card.
The eligible packaged bread products, those that were subject to Loblaws’ price fixing, are as follows:
- Ben's Bread
- Bon Matin Bread
- Country Harvest Bread
- Dempster's Bread
- D'Italiano Bread
- Gadoua Bread
- McGavin's Bread
- No Name Bread
- Old Mill Bread
- POM Bread
- Weston Bread
- Wonder Bread
As for the fine print, some are calling it into question and voicing their concerns. Michael Vathilakis, one of the partners at a law firm that is attempting to certify a class action against Loblaws, said the gift card plan is pure "PR spin" from a company that has abused the public's trust and is looking for the cheapest way out.
"They've unilaterally decided that they are going to remove it from any additional compensation you may receive by way of a class action lawsuit, settlement judgment or otherwise," he told CBC News in an interview. "My advice would be read the fine print."
Here is the section of the fine print that Vathilakis was referencing:
"Agreeing to this release will not impact your right to participate in any class actions relating to an overcharge on the price of packaged bread," the fine print reads. "However, doing so will mean that twenty-five (25) dollars will be deducted from any compensation that you may otherwise be entitled to receive in any class action judgment against, or settlement with, Loblaw relating to any overcharge on the price of packaged bread in the period between January 1, 2002 and March 1, 2015."
Another concern for some is the amount of information that is needed to receive the gift card. Because the card is mailed to you, your name, home address, email address, and phone number are needed. In the age we live in, many are weary to give so much information as business love to use it to their advantage for marketing purposes. Loblaws has come forth to say that the information will not be used for anything other than the $25 card, unless prior permissions have been granted.
Regardless of these concerns, millions are expected to sign up to receive the card. You have until May 8th to register, and the card should take 6-12 weeks to arrive.