The recent lawsuit against True Blue Car Wash has captured attention across multiple states, drawing comparisons to previous Class Action Lawsuits involving subscription services, misleading Payment Terms, and Dark patterns designed to keep customers locked into recurring charges. This case alleges that True Blue Car Wash, which operates Rainstorm Car Wash and Clean Freak Car Wash, enrolled customers into auto-renewing memberships without permission, while making cancellation requests unnecessarily complicated.
This lawsuit is not just about one company, it touches on consumer protection laws, potential violations of auto-renewal laws, and even larger discussions about consumer rights in an age of digital memberships and cashless transactions using debit cards and Apple Pay.
Allegations in Detail
Unauthorized Enrollment
Plaintiffs allege that customers who intended to buy a single wash services transaction at True Blue Car Wash were instead enrolled in ongoing memberships without clear disclosure. In some cases, plaintiffs say they were offered a promotional price on a wash but were never told the deal came with automatic renewal. This mirrors patterns from prior lawsuits like Rodriguez v. Go Car Wash Management Corp., where Go Car Wash customers reported similar issues.
Failure to Disclose Payment Terms
The lawsuit claims the company failed to clearly present its Payment Terms, including the recurring nature of the charges and the procedures for cancellation. Plaintiffs allege that in-person sign-ups at Rainstorm Car Wash and Clean Freak Car Wash also omitted mention of membership renewal or cancellation steps.
Some customers noted that even after multiple cancellation requests, charges continued to appear on their debit cards, creating what plaintiffs argue is an unfair and deceptive billing process.
Use of Dark Patterns
The case also highlights alleged Dark patterns, user interface tricks designed to make opting out difficult. Examples include hiding cancellation options in less intuitive menus, requiring obscure membership identifiers, or demanding customers show up in person to cancel. Such tactics, plaintiffs say, violate Federal Trade Commission
guidelines on consumer transparency.
Links to Other Car Wash Programs
While the lawsuit focuses on True Blue Car Wash, similar issues have emerged with other services like Go Car Wash, Clean Car Club, and Waterway Gas & Wash, where memberships such as the Hot Wax Express Clean Car Club® Membership, The Whole Thing® Wash Book, Interior Clean Wash Book, and Ceramic Express Wash Book often come with recurring charges. These programs sometimes also offer Coupon Books or Volume & Fleet Sales, which, if not clearly explained, can mislead customers about the total cost and commitment involved.
Legal Grounds
Filed in the U.S. District Court, the lawsuit invokes state laws like the Illinois Automatic Contract Renewal Act, the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The plaintiffs seek financial relief for affected customers, stronger disclosures, and enforcement of auto-renewal laws to protect future members.
Impact on Consumers
For customers, the alleged practices can result in financial loss, frustration, and wasted time dealing with poor Customer Service. Recurring charges on debit cards or Apple Pay without consent can cause budgeting issues, especially when customers believe they purchased a one-time wash services package.
Consumers should keep all receipts, note any cancellation requests, and monitor their statements for unexpected recurring charges.
Past Precedents
The lawsuit recalls similar disputes in subscription-based industries, including Data Breach settlements and misleading membership programs. Many Class Action Lawsuits involving digital memberships or retail services have forced companies to revise their Payment Terms and entry process.
In some cases, such litigation even intersects with unexpected areas like the decennial census, corporate limits, satellite corporate mapping, or municipal sewer service expansions when a business operates under complex jurisdictional agreements.
Unrelated but Noteworthy References
While not directly tied to this case, terms like city clerk, informational meeting, and future codification purposes sometimes appear in public filings for local regulatory approvals. Even niche references such as qualified voters lists or property Cargo areas for business storage can become relevant in larger corporate investigations.
The lesson? Businesses, whether a car wash chain or a municipal contractor, must maintain transparency not only in their Payment Terms but also in every aspect of their operations.
Consumer Protection Beyond the Car Wash
Subscription transparency is a recurring theme in U.S. consumer law. Whether it’s a Clean Car Club membership or a promotional price tied to wash services, the Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly warned companies against using Dark patterns.
The case against True Blue Car Wash may set a precedent for how far businesses can go in structuring memberships and whether free method cancellation options must be prominently displayed.
What Consumers Should Do Now
If you suspect you have been affected by such practices:
- Review your Payment Terms and all related agreements.
- Track any recurring charges on debit cards or Apple Pay.
- Keep a written log of cancellation requests.
- Participate in upcoming informational meeting sessions if invited as part of a class notification process.
About Ted Law firm
Ted Law Firm, supports clients in pursuing legal resolution against companies that violate consumer rights, misuse auto-renewal laws, or implement Dark patterns that harm the public. We serve families across Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta and Orangeburg. Whether a matter involves a car wash membership or broader corporate misconduct, Ted Law approaches each case with dedication and a focus on fairness. Contact us today for a free consultation.
