Ferragamo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus Sued Over ‘Defective’ High-End Belt Buckles

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action alleges Ferragamo USA’s “luxury” belts and metal belt buckles “quickly become worthless” due to a buckle design defect that causes the metal to become discolored or tarnished. 

According to the 20-page suit, the designer Ferragamo products at issue, sold by defendants Saks Fifth Avenue and the Neiman Marcus Group, include a “signature” metal buckle that can be purchased on its own or part of a belt. Per the case, Ferragamo belts regularly retail for hundreds of dollars, and the buckles alone reportedly sell for nearly $300.

Want to stay in the loop on class actions that matter to you? Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here. 

Although the belts are touted for their superior quality and luxury status, the items are “defectively manufactured and/or designed,” such that their iconic metal buckle can quickly become discolored and/or tarnished, the lawsuit claims. The issue renders the buckle “unsightly, aesthetically unappealing, and ultimately unless for its intended purpose of providing a ‘luxurious’ fashion accessory,” the case contends.

Filed by four Florida consumers, the lawsuit argues that Ferragamo, affiliates S-Fer International Incorporated and Sator Realty, and Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus impliedly warrant that the belt buckles at issue are suitable for their “regular and expected use” as a fashion accessory. This representation is false, the suit says, given that the buckles’ aesthetic purpose can be ruined once they become discolored or tarnished.

According to the suit, the discoloration/tarnishing can occur within months after purchase, regardless of how a consumer uses and cares for the belt buckle. The filing stresses that the problem “cannot be blamed on the consumers” since it stems from a design and/or manufacturing flaw. In fact, one of the plaintiffs says his belt buckle began showing “obvious discoloration and/or tarnishing” even though he had never worn the belt. 

Compounding matters for consumers, the case continues, is that buyers have “no easy option” to receive a full refund or exchange a belt buckle once the defect manifests. Instead, the defendants typically require consumers to “pay even more money” to replace a defective Ferragamo buckle, the case claims. 

The lawsuit looks to cover all consumers or entities in the United States who made retail purchases of one or more Ferragamo belt buckles, either alone or as part of a belt, from a physical retail store operated by one of the defendants, within the last four years and until the date of final judgment in the matter. 

Get class action lawsuit news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here.