Lawsuit class action against Synta

[Nikolas (Nik)]

I just got an email from Amazon as I purchased my Orion ED80 from there a few years ago and Amazon contacted me today regarding a class action where I may be entitled to some money ( I don't think it will be much)

Here's the transcript from the first paragraphs
"
Amazon is emailing you because our records indicate that you may have purchased certain telescope products sold through the Amazon.com store. YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. Amazon is not a party to or otherwise involved in the class action lawsuit.
. . .

This is a Court-Approved Legal Notice about a Class Action Lawsuit.

IF YOU PURCHASED A TELESCOPE FROM JANUARY 1, 2005 TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2023, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A PAYMENT FROM A $32 MILLION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT.

Visit www.telescopesettlement.com to learn more or to file a Claim Form online.

You have been identified as a potential member of a class action Lawsuit that could affect your rights and you may be eligible to receive a payment from a settlement."





It isn't a scam as I did purchase it from Amazon and it was sent from the US to here and there are independent news sources as well
Just wondering if anyone else bought a synta scope from the states

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I got an email from Amazon as well, but for the life of me I can not think of buying any of my scopes that way, all Synta stuff was from local retailers. I can't work out from the wording if that should mean I am part of this thing or not.

I have had two Skywatcher scopes, one from Bintel and one from Sidereal, but how would Amazon know that?

[pmrid (Peter)]

First thing to do is verify the info.
It could be a scam.
In order to participate, you have to register as a claimant and that would involve providing banking details. Be wary.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

The notion of a site called "telescope settlement" doesn't fit with me. If there's a class action, it should be in the hands of solicitors, and there would be a page under a solicitors site for that under the name of a law firm.

A quick search reveals a couple of "news" sites that have similar details, but I would tread warily. Far better to be overly cautious at the outset with all of the scams about these days.

[pmrid (Peter)]

I just had a look at that site and read their notice. It says that the
Purchase had to be made in one of a number of American states. Not all states though and I could not see any reference to Australian sales.

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I found that wording to be very unclear. You could read it one of two ways, the BUYER had to be in one of those states when they bought it, or the maker had to be in one of them when they made it.

Safe enough to say that I don't plan to give them my details in any case.

[JeniSkunk (Jenifur)]

I looked through the threads about it on reddit and Cloudy Nights.
The class action lawsuit and the site are legit.
It's due to Synta breaking US antitrust law, and also carrying out price fixing.
With Amazon sending out notices globally regarding the lawsuit, I wonder if this will provoke purchasers in other countries to consider pushing for class action lawsuits in their countries against Synta.

[gts055 (Mark)]

Hmmm, beware. The winners in most class actions are the law firms who advertise for participants in an action, and then claim astronomical legal costs leaving crumbs for the participants. To me, these cases are scams in favour of attorneys. Cheers Mark

[alan meehan (Alan)]

set up for lawyers to make big bucks itsa ripoff

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Doesnt affect us here in OZ anyway you have to be a resident of the particular states at the time I had a go at applying and you have to be a resident there is no option even if I had bought my scope from Amazon US store.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

It'll be American litigation lawyers looking to make a buck,,,even if they have to invent litigation ideas "ambulance chasers"!



Honestly if the scope etc is ok.....nothing to see here!