The FTC is sending more than $100,000 to 6,205 customers of GOAT, the online marketplace selling sneakers, clothing and accessories, under a settlement over alleged shipping delays and denied refunds. The payments, disclosed October 6, are for customers who have not yet received money through the settlement. Most recipients will receive their payment by mail as a check, while others will receive money through PayPal.
The FTC says those paid by check should cash them within 90 days, by the date shown on the check. Customers paid through PayPal have 30 days to redeem the money sent to them. This round follows more than $736,000 that GOAT itself returned to affected customers in 2025 as part of its settlement with the FTC.
The case dates to a complaint the FTC filed in 2024 alleging that GOAT failed to ship some orders with priority processing within the time it had promised buyers. The agency also alleged that customers were denied a choice between accepting a shipping delay and cancelling their purchase for a prompt refund. The FTC said those practices violated its Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.
Refund handling was a separate part of the FTC's allegations against the marketplace. GOAT offered a policy called Buyer Protection for customers who received deficient goods, but the agency alleged that the company lacked a system to carry out that policy. Its refund promise covered the full purchase amount when goods were inauthentic, the wrong item or otherwise different from their description.
According to the FTC's allegations, GOAT frequently rejected requests covered by that promise or returned only part of the money. In other cases, customers received credit to spend at the store instead of a refund.
Customers seeking help with their payment can reach JND Legal Administration, the refund administrator, at 1-888-970-2410. The FTC also offers answers to common refund questions on its website. The agency says receiving a payment never requires consumers to send money or disclose account details.
