# I got my settlement check! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 2, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894 "2011-12-02T22:57:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/21 "2011-12-04T22:11:22Z")
I just won a lawsuit. Kinda, sorta. The jury that, yes, the evil big corporation was negligent. But we were asking for $60k in damages and they only awarded us $5k. ☹ The lawyer gets 1/3 of that. ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/22 "2011-12-04T22:21:43Z")
I got my check for $0.01…pitiful…I wonder how much the lawyers pocketed… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/23 "2011-12-04T22:24:45Z")
I received about $13.50 in a record company overpricing lawsuit once. It wasn’t even enough to buy a CD with, but I was able to afford a pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/24 "2011-12-04T22:32:13Z")
I haven’t seen the news reports, but I am guessing the lawyers made $10-20 million, right? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/25 "2011-12-04T22:48:55Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I haven’t seen the news reports, but I am guessing the lawyers made $10-20 million, right? Most likely. That’s why they take on these class action suits. ---
**Author:** ![feppytweed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/feppytweed/32/4280_2.png) [@feppytweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/feppytweed)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/26 "2011-12-05T01:23:27Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Or maybe Shrute-bucks. What’s the ratio of Schrute-bucks to Stanley nickels? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/27 "2011-12-05T01:38:56Z")
This thread reminds me of Spy magazine’s [experiment in mailing checks for small amounts](http://books.google.com/books?id=Tu_Vp4DEqiQC&lpg=PA81&dq=spy%20magazine%20checks%20july%201990&pg=PA80#v=twopage&q&f=false) to various rich and famous people, noting who would cash the check for which amount. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/28 "2011-12-05T01:48:12Z")
> [@feppytweed](#): > > What’s the ratio of Schrute-bucks to Stanley nickels? Same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/29 "2011-12-05T02:21:22Z")
My eBay rebate was 12 cents! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/30 "2011-12-05T02:26:51Z")
I would take that check and frame it. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/31 "2011-12-05T02:45:36Z")
Currently, there is a class action suit about a [chip that is in many electronic devices](http://www.lib.az.us/records/documents/pdf/DRAM%20Preservation%20Directive%203-23-2007.pdf). We are legally required by the state to keep any records pertaining to this case. There are about 550 finance boxes that _might_ have such records. The computers and such are probably long gone, but the boxes must be kept. All of us involved figure that when the suit is settled, around 2057, the County will get a check of about $1.97 for storing those boxes so long. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/32 "2011-12-05T02:47:26Z")
How do we find out if we are eligible to get anything and how much? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/33 "2011-12-05T08:15:57Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I am always baffled at receiving checks that cost more to mail than they are worth. I’ve gotten a few as class action settlements before. You’d think we’d have figured out a better way by now. [sidetrack] On the subject of mailing things that aren’t worth the postage. Small propane company once billed me but forgot to include some tax item that came to $0.25 – So a week later they sent me a separate bill, via first-class mail, for $0.25, which of course had a first-class postage stamp ($0.42 at the time IIRC). I paid in person at their office, and mentioned this to the clerk there. It went right over her head. (ETA: But she did say that I could wait until the next billing if I wanted and they would just include it in that bill.) [/sidetrack] ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/34 "2011-12-05T19:58:45Z")
I was recently notified that I am a member of a class action lawsuit against TicketMaster for excessive processing fees. If the suit is successful, I stand to be awarded $1.50 per ticket I’ve purchased from TM since 1999. Hey, I’ve used TicketMaster quite a bit in the past 12 years. That might actually add up to a decent amount, right? Oh, wait. The number of awards possible for each customer is capped at 17. Therefore, the most I can possibly get is $25.50. Still, 25 bucks is 25 bucks, so I shouldn’t complain. Oh, wait. I won’t get _cash_. I’ll get individual $1.50 TicketMaster credits via email (up to 17 of 'em, one per email). Oh well. That’ll at least be enough for a free or nearly free ticket to a ball game or something. That’s cool, I suppose. Oh, wait. _I can only combine up to 2 of the $1.50 discounts per transaction_. So, _if_ I actually receive the maximum I possibly can get from a potential settlement, in order to use my awards I will have to make _nine_ subsequent purchases – from the website I am suing! – to get eight $3.00 dicounts and one $1.50 discount. Yay, me. Meanwhile, however, the proposed settlement seeks to recover “$16.5 million in attorneys’ fees”! I think I’m in the wrong line of work. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/35 "2011-12-05T20:29:35Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > [sidetrack] > On the subject of mailing things that aren’t worth the postage. > Small propane company once billed me but forgot to include some tax item that came to $0.25 – So a week later they sent me a separate bill, via first-class mail, for $0.25, which of course had a first-class postage stamp ($0.42 at the time IIRC). > > I paid in person at their office, and mentioned this to the clerk there. It went right over her head. (ETA: But she did say that I could wait until the next billing if I wanted and they would just include it in that bill.) > [/sidetrack] You think that’s bad? I have a negative hit sitting on my credit report for 14 cents because when I went to pay my final gas bill over the phone down in Atlanta, the guy told me the dollar amount but neglected to tell me there were cents involved. Fast forward a year or so and I’m looking at my credit report and I see said gas company! I called them up to ask them WTF and they said I still had 14cents outstanding on my bill. I paid that, too, but it still shows up on my credit report. I need to push harder and get someone to write a letter or something because it’s affecting my credit score. I just keep forgetting to follow up on it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/36 "2011-12-05T20:50:51Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I was recently notified that I am a member of a class action lawsuit against TicketMaster for excessive processing fees. If the suit is successful, I stand to be awarded $1.50 per ticket I’ve purchased from TM since 1999. I’ll get the maximum on that one too and I’ll end up using it because I go to a lot of shows. The whole thing is lame though. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/37 "2011-12-05T20:59:13Z")
Wait – is that what I got in the mail? I got something in a little slip that looked like junk mail that I almost threw away. I took it upstairs anyway, and when I cracked it open, I found some people had written me a check for like $18. I’m not sure why, though. Something about settlements? Why are they giving us money again? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/38 "2011-12-05T21:16:45Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Wait – is that what I got in the mail? I got something in a little slip that looked like junk mail that I almost threw away. I took it upstairs anyway, and when I cracked it open, I found some people had written me a check for like $18. I’m not sure why, though. Something about settlements? Why are they giving us money again? The $18 one sounds like the credit card foreign transaction [lawsuit settlement](http://www.ccfsettlement.com/). $25 was supposed to be the default award (unless you filled out some paperwork documenting your time abroad), but that ended up being $18 in the end. Those checks just started coming in a couple weeks ago. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/39 "2011-12-05T21:23:16Z")
I got one for like $23 one time for owning some stock during a certain time period. My biggest score was $220 for price fixing of thyroid medication. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894/40 "2011-12-05T21:39:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The $18 one sounds like the credit card foreign transaction [lawsuit settlement](http://www.ccfsettlement.com/). $25 was supposed to be the default award (unless you filled out some paperwork documenting your time abroad), but that ended up being $18 in the end. Those checks just started coming in a couple weeks ago. Oh, that sounds about right. I mean, not that it matters why someone is giving me money (hey, that’s two rounds at the bar), but I was curious. Thanks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-settlement-check/604894.md?page=3)