I'm sure that the lawyers could turn it into a class-action lawsuit. That would make it worth their while.
Then, if there are 1000 plaintiffs, the settlements are always structured like this:
- 1000 coupons for $100 off your next couch
- $50,000 in cash.
Let's see... how should we divvy this up? How about each of you get a coupon, and a the lawyers get the cash.
Now, there's probably only about a 10% chance of any particular coupon being used. And those few that are can easily be justified as 'advertising expense'. It has, after all, landed the sale of a whole new couch. (For a truly egregious offense such as this, I'm sure that the victim would be disinclined to buy from the same company next time, if not for the coupon!)
Benefit to victims? Miniscule.
Effect on other consumers? Increases cost of products so company can offset lawyer payout.
I'm not an aggrieved party in this case. But if it were me?... I'd rather have an apology.