A new proposed class-action lawsuit filed in U.S.District Court for Western Washington accuses Amazon of misleading customers through its “Subscribe & Save” program.

The program, designed to encourage recurring purchases of everyday goods with discounts of up to 15%, is alleged to have used initially attractive prices that later increased over time, sometimes exceeding what customers would pay if they bought the same items individually or from other sellers on Amazon’s platform.

According to the lawsuit, consumers were drawn in by what appeared to be long-term savings, only to face gradual price increases on their recurring orders.In one example cited in the complaint, a customer’s espresso coffee grounds started at $16.60 per order, then rose over time to $17.04, later $21.25, and eventually reached $28.69 per shipment.

The plaintiffs argue that even after accounting for the advertised discount, the subscription price could still end up higher than alternative listings for the same product.

The lawsuit further claims that Amazon provided limited advance notice of price changes, sometimes sending notifications shortly before orders were processed, leaving consumers little time to cancel or compare prices.Plaintiffs argue that this practice could prevent customers from shopping around for better deals, effectively locking them into rising costs.The suit characterizes these practices as “deceptive” and a form of “bait and switch.” Amazon, in response, maintains that Subscribe & Save is designed to offer convenience and savings through flexible recurring deliveries.

The company also notes that customers receive notifications about applicable discounts before orders ship and that prices can change at any time under the program’s terms and conditions.The case could potentially affect millions of U.S.consumers, as industry estimates suggest roughly one-quarter of Amazon customers use Subscribe & Save.The court will determine whether the case can proceed as a class action, which could significantly expand its scope and impact.