A Couple Is Suing Taco Bell for Overcharging Them $2.18 for Chalupas

From Vice.com (Oct. 17):

Last May, a New Jersey couple caught a Taco Bell commercial on TV, and they were excited enough by the chalupa-based combo that were being advertised that they drove to the nearest 'Bell to get one. Although the TV spot said that the Chalupa Cravings Box was 5 bucks, when Nelson Estrella-Rojas and Joann Estrella each ordered one, they were charged $6.06 each, before tax. Instead of just shrugging off the $2.18 difference and enjoying a shit-ton of fast food, they decided to hire an attorney.

According to NJ.com, the couple was "taken aback" by the price of each Chalupa Cravings Box, which contained one Chalupa Supreme, one 5-Layer burrito, one crunchy taco, an order of cinnamon twists and a medium drink. Because the Estrellas sound like loads of fun, they asked to speak to a manager, who told them that the commercial in question did say that prices may vary.

That answer wasn't good enough, so they hired an attorney who was willing to type out a complaint alleging that the couple "sustained an ascertainable loss" with their slightly more expensive visit to Taco Bell, including their "wasted time," the gas it took to make the six mile round trip, and that crucial $2.18. They have filed a lawsuit against both Taco Bell and Yum! Brands, its parent company. (And here's where it's worth noting that it costs $250––the equivalent of roughly forty-one $6.06 Chalupa Cravings Boxes––to file a civil lawsuit in a New Jersey state Superior Court.) [read more]

It costs more to file the lawsuit then just to let it go. The couple could have talked to the Taco Bell manager instead of suing. Oh, well.