Online pet supply retailer Chewy is facing a class-action lawsuit in Rhode Island alleging deceptive trade practices related to its Autoship subscription service. The lawsuit, filed by customer Alix Cavas in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, claims Chewy overcharges sales tax on discounted Autoship orders.
According to the complaint, Chewy's Autoship terms state that customers will be charged 'the price of the item, less the Autoship & Save discount or any other discount, if applicable, plus any applicable shipping charges and sales tax.' The plaintiff argues this means sales tax should be calculated after the discount is applied, but Chewy instead calculates tax on the full pre-discount price.
The lawsuit alleges that Chewy's Autoship program offers a 35% discount on the first order and 5% on subsequent orders. However, by charging sales tax on the undiscounted price, customers allegedly pay more than they should. The filing contends that had customers known about this practice, they would not have enrolled in the program.
The case seeks to represent anyone enrolled in Chewy's Autoship program between 2022 and September 5, 2025. Cavas is represented by Gainey McKenna & Egleston and local attorney James Ruggieri. Chewy has been contacted for comment.
