$310 million DRAM price fixing settlement could get you $10

[TVeblen]

$310 million DRAM price fixing settlement could get you $10 - or much, much more

If you bought a computer or other device that uses DRAM around the turn of the century, you could be eligible for a payout as part of a price fixing settlement.
The settlement is the result of class action and attorneys general lawsuits against a dozen DRAM manufacturers, including Samsung, Toshiba, Hynix and Hitachi. In total, the manufacturers have agreed to pay out $310 million in a nationwide settlement, and roughly $200 million of that money will go to consumers and businesses who were affected.

$310 million DRAM price fixing settlement could get you $10 - or much, much more | PCWorld

 

[michaelst]

It's comforting to know that laywers are doing thier part to stimulate the economy.

 

[Computer0304]

Does that count if the RAM came with the computer?

 

[MrWhoopee]

Does that count if the RAM came with the computer?

Yes, it does.

Just like most class action suits, you get a few bucks, the lawyers get millions. I never respond to the class action suit mailers. It just encourages them.

 

[strollin]

Class action suits aren't always like that. I got a $21,000 award in a class action suit a couple of years ago. I didn't even need to fill out a claim form, all I had to do was cash the check. Another suit about 25 years ago got my house completely replumbed.

I'm sure I bought some number of qualifying devices during that period of time (1998-2002) but couldn't put a finger on exactly how many. I doubt I could come up with any kind of receipt for those items (should they ask for proof) since I don't generally keep receipts for 12-16 years.

 

[ThrashZone]

The big winners are the lawyers

 

[TVeblen]

Yep. Some quick math and they made off with $110 mil.
And my Pentium II is still slow!

 

[ThrashZone]

Yea even a caveman like myself could see that number,
I guess they were being nice taking only just over a third

 

[Solarstarshines]

Class action suits aren't always like that. I got a $21,000 award in a class action suit a couple of years ago. I didn't even need to fill out a claim form, all I had to do was cash the check. Another suit about 25 years ago got my house completely replumbed.

I'm sure I bought some number of qualifying devices during that period of time (1998-2002) but couldn't put a finger on exactly how many. I doubt I could come up with any kind of receipt for those items (should they ask for proof) since I don't generally keep receipts for 12-16 years.

There is really no legit way to track who bought what and to even do this to the public is BS

They know there is far in between of someone actually having records from that long ago ,I am also sure i purchased a lot of their products too from that time but the gap in years is just to great to even track it down

I bet majority of people reading this article are shaking their heads in disgust because the only winners here are the Lawyers and no one will waste time for a $10 come up

It would of been a lot easier to just Pinpoint retailers that sold their product that has long shut down now it's possible they might have something on you in there records but that would be a long shot

 

[GeneO]

I once received a check for a class action lawsuit for one dollar. I bet the lawyers (and the postal service) got a little more than that.

 

[Computer0304]

I bet my friend with over 20 PCs will get lots of money from this.

 

[margrave]

I got a $10 Itunes credit in a CA suit some years ago. The suit charged that the shiny Ipod enclosure got scratched very easily. (It did, but so what? Am I to sue Kingsford just because my hands get blackened when I handle their charcoal?)

Anyway, let's not be discouraged by the small payouts from such actions. The payout is punishment for the perpetrator. It serves notice that they can be held accountable.

 

[TanyaC]

It's comforting to know that lawyers are doing their part to stimulate the economy.

I wonder if that is what stimulated resellers to hike ram prices by as much as 50%? :sarc:

Eg $299 32gb memory now costs $416.

 

[Computer0304]

I decided to cancel my claim since I may not be living in America when I get my cash.

 

[DocBrown]

I just got settlement check for $ 81.47 after waiting 2 yrs & 4 months

I think I will check out Newegg's Daily Deals

 

[ThrashZone]

I bought 2 machine at the end of 2009 I don't believe I joined the claims deal though.

 

[margrave]

I bought two computers in the affected time range, one in 1998 and another in 2000.
Last week I received two DRAM-settlement payout checks, one for $64 and another for $97.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

Rebates aside.... I buy hundreds of dollars worth of RAM every year, and I'd just like to see lower prices at the point of sale. That's where I'd like to see my own rebate.

Several years back, when Gold prices spiked, so did RAM prices, because there is Gold in RAM.
But it's such a minute amount, that I never did see the need for the huge jump in ram pricing.