Amazon Price Hike Lawsuit: How to Join

1. Overview of the lawsuit

In summer 2022, a major online retailer increased the prices for its subscription membership without asking customers for explicit consent. Annual membership rose from €69 to €89.90, the monthly fee from €7.99 to €8.99, and student rates increased from €34 to €44.90 annually or from €3.99 to €4.49 monthly. That means some customers faced price increases of up to about 30%.

Consumer protection authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia (Verbraucherzentrale NRW) consider the one-sided price increases illegal because companies cannot change prices in ongoing contracts arbitrarily. In December 2025 they filed a relief action at the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) Hamm. The federal claims register is now open, allowing affected subscribers to register free of charge and potentially receive refunds of up to €60 or more, depending on the subscription model and the length of the proceedings.

Officials involved stressed that the unilateral increases were not acceptable. Wolfgang Schuldzinski, a board member of the consumer advice organization, said: “The one-sided price increase without explicit consent from customers was unlawful” and described the collective action as a simple, free way for people to enforce their rights. The company named in the suit rejects the accusations, saying customers were informed and could cancel if they did not agree. A regional court has already questioned the validity of the price-adjustment clause, but the issue is not finally decided because the company has filed an appeal to a higher court. Separately, a different consumer group brought a case about advertising on the streaming service connected to the subscription.

2. Who can join

Anyone who was a subscriber to the affected membership at the time the price change was applied and who did not explicitly consent to that increase may be eligible to join the collective action. This includes annual, monthly and student subscription holders who experienced the 2022 price rise.

1. Use the eligibility check provided by the consumer advice organization in North Rhine-Westphalia to confirm whether your case qualifies.
2. Identify which subscription model you had (annual, monthly, student) and the dates of your membership around mid-2022.
3. Gather proof such as invoices, bank or card statements, membership confirmations, or e-mails showing the price before and after the increase.

3. What you might get back

The collective action aims to recover amounts customers overpaid due to the contested price increase. The consumer advice organization has said affected customers could receive up to €60 or more, depending on the subscription model and how long the proceedings take. Exact amounts will vary by case.

4. How to join — step-by-step

Registering for the collective action is designed to be simple and free. The consumer advice organization provides a guided process and keeps registrants informed about next steps. Below are the typical actions to take to join.

1. Run the eligibility check offered by the consumer advice organization in North Rhine-Westphalia to confirm you qualify.
2. Collect evidence of your subscription and billing history (invoices, statements, membership confirmations).
3. Use the claims register at the federal level to add your name and details; the consumer advice organization links to that register and provides guidance for the form.
4. Opt in to the newsletter or news alert from the consumer advice organization to receive updates about hearing dates and developments.
5. Keep an eye on communications: the registration window ends three weeks after the last oral hearing in the case, and that hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
6. There are no fees to register as part of this collective action; the consumer advice organization handles the process.

5. After you register: timeline and what to expect

Once you sign up in the claims register, you remain part of the collective action. Court procedures can take time, especially if appeals are filed, so patience is usually required. The company involved has already filed an appeal in a related regional ruling, which means the final outcome may be delayed.

• You will receive updates from the consumer advice organization about procedural milestones and any court dates.
• If the court rules in favor of claimants, refunds or compensation will be distributed according to the court’s decision and the number of registered claimants.
• The exact amount you receive depends on your subscription model and the duration of the overcharge.
• Parallel legal actions (for example about streaming advertising) may continue independently and do not affect your registration in this price-increase action.

6. Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to join?

No. Registration in the federal claims register through the consumer advice organization is free. The aim is to let affected customers participate in the collective action without upfront costs.

Do I need to be a current subscriber?

You do not necessarily need to be a current subscriber. If you were a subscriber at the time the price increase was applied and were affected by it, you can usually join, even if you later cancelled. Use the eligibility check to confirm.

What if the company appeals or the case takes a long time?

Court appeals and procedural steps can extend the timeline. The company has already filed appeals in related decisions, so final resolution may be delayed. The consumer advice organization will provide updates and explain any next steps for registrants. The registration deadline is linked to the final hearing schedule — specifically, registration ends three weeks after the last oral hearing.