FTC Issues Redress Payments to Consumers Impacted by GOAT’s Deceptive Shipping, Refund Policies

The Federal Trade Commission announced it is sending more than $100,000 in redress payments to consumers deceived by online marketplace GOAT. The refunds are part of a settlement over allegations the company failed to honor its refund policies and violated an FTC rule requiring companies to have reasonable shipping practices.

In a 2024 complaint, the FTC alleged that GOAT, an online marketplace for sneakers, apparel and accessories, failed to mail some priority processing orders as fast as promised and did not offer buyers the option of agreeing to the delay or cancelling the order and receiving a prompt refund, as required by the FTC’s Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.

The FTC also alleged that while GOAT offered “Buyer Protection” for consumers that received deficient products, it did not put a system in place to honor this policy. Despite promising full refunds for products found to be inauthentic, incorrect or otherwise not as described, the company frequently denied those refund requests, only provided partial refunds or issued in-store credits.

In 2025, GOAT directly refunded more than $736,000 to affected customers as part of a settlement with the FTC. Today, the FTC is sending checks or PayPal payments to 6,205 customers who have not yet received a payment. Most consumers will receive a check in the mail. Check recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check. PayPal recipients should redeem their PayPal payments within 30 days.

Consumers who have questions about their payment should contact the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 1-888-970-2410, or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a payment.