SEATTLE — Those who paid a hidden 3% fee buying food or drinks at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena from February-July 2023 can get a refund, plus $10 “for their inconvenience,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Friday.
The sports and concert venue, which is home to the Seattle Storm and Seattle Kraken teams, violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by charging customers at some events the extra 3% without telling them before they made their purchases between Feb. 27 and July 22, 2023, according to a statement by Ferguson’s office on Friday.
“We strive to provide an incredible experience for guests,” said Climate Pledge Arena spokesperson Rosie Selle in an email Friday. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Starting in late October, customers who believe they paid the fee should visit seattlearenafeesettlement.com to learn how they can file a claim, Selle said.
The Climate Pledge Arena is a cashless venue, leaving attendees no choice but to use a credit or debit card or a form of digital payment such as Apple Pay or Google Pay to make purchases there.
Ferguson’s office said he started investigating the arena after KIRO published a story about the fee in July 2023. Investigators learned the venue had earned $162,917.16 from charging the fee on 183,000 transactions over the course of 37 events, according to his office. Attendees only saw the fee if they asked for a receipt, his office said.
Ferguson ordered the arena to launch a claims process to refund all customers who paid the hidden fee, along with the extra $10 per person.
The total amount refunded would not exceed $162,917.16, according to the settlement agreement between the arena and Ferguson’s office. If customers’ total claims exceed $162,917.16, their refund would go down proportionally.
The arena must also pay the Attorney General’s office $315,000, and disclose all fees it charges to customers in the future, according to the statement.
“Washington law is simple: If you charge a fee, you must clearly disclose that fee before someone pays it,” Ferguson said. “Climate Pledge was not doing that. Now they are paying the price.”
The agreement is subject to court approval.
