Opinion ID: 2045861
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: breach of implied warranty for particular purpose

Text: As a third theory of recovery, the Stoneses alleged that Defendant impliedly warranted to Plaintiffs that the subject replacement parts for the gas grill were properly designed, manufactured and reasonably fit for their intended purpose. We read this cause of action as one for breach of the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. In fact, the Stoneses argue a breach of Neb. U.C.C. § 2-315 (Reissue 1992) in their brief. Section 2-315 provides: Where the seller at the time of contracting has reason to know any particular purpose for which the goods are required and that the buyer is relying on the seller's skill or judgment to select or furnish suitable goods, there is unless excluded or modified under the next section an implied warranty that the goods shall be fit for such purpose. A plaintiff relying on the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose must prove that (1) the seller had reason to know of the buyer's particular purpose in buying the goods, (2) the seller had reason to know that the buyer was relying on the seller's skill or judgment to furnish appropriate goods, and (3) the buyer, in fact, relied upon the seller's skill or judgment. Laird v. Scribner Coop, 237 Neb. 532, 466 N.W.2d 798 (1991). Ordinarily, whether or not the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose arises in any individual case is a question of fact to be determined by the circumstances of the contracting between the parties. See El Fredo Pizza, Inc. v. Roto-Flex Oven Co., 199 Neb. 697, 261 N.W.2d 358 (1978). In this regard, a buyer proceeding under this implied warranty must first provide some evidence that the seller knew of the buyer's particular purpose for which the goods are acquired. See Laird v. Scribner Coop, supra . A particular purpose differs from the ordinary purpose for which the goods are used in that it envisages a specific use by the buyer which is peculiar to the nature of his or her business whereas the ordinary purposes for which goods are used are those envisaged in the concept of merchantability and go to uses which are customarily made of the goods in question. § 2-315, comment 2. In examining the record, we are unable to detect any evidence that the Stoneses purchased the grill or its replacement parts for a particular purpose. We also note that the Stoneses do not allege any particular use of the grill. Instead, pertinent testimony of Larry Stones and Lorene Stones establishes that they cooked food on the grill on a regular basis throughout the spring and summer months. When the grill was not working properly, they would call Sears to have it repaired in conformance with the customer maintenance agreement plan. Quite obviously, the Stoneses purchased the grill and replacement parts for a customary purpose; the grilling of food. Liability under § 2-315 lies only when goods do not fulfill the specific need for which they were purchased, and not when the goods in question are defective per se or fail to meet their ordinary purpose. As such, we hold that summary judgment was appropriate because the warranty of implied fitness for a particular purpose does not apply when the goods in question are purchased and used for ordinary purposes. See, e.g., DiIenno v. Libbey Glass Div., Owens-Illinois, Inc., 668 F.Supp. 373, 376 (D.Del.1987) (buyer's claim that failure of jar to open and close without breaking was breach of § 2-315 warranty was ridiculous because opening and closing of jar are jar's ordinary purpose); Royal Lincoln-Mercury Sales v. Wallace, 415 So.2d 1024 (Miss.1982) (no § 2-315 warranty for car purchased only for normal transportation).