Opinion ID: 2521251
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Presence or Absence of Negotiations

Text: The presence or absence of negotiations [18] overlaps with our evaluation of the manner in which the parties entered into the contract and whether the parties had a reasonable opportunity to understand the terms of the contract; [19] therefore, we will consider these factors together. The Court of Appeals stated that the parties did not negotiate for the term, although it remanded the case for determination of whether the liability limitation was explicitly bargained for. Unisearch, No. 46705-1-I, slip op. at 10. Both parties conceded in oral argument before this court that there was no specific negotiation of the liability limitation clauses. Factors asserts that, because there was no specific negotiation for the term, it should not be included in the contract. We disagree. While absence of negotiations may weigh in Factors' favor, Factors had a reasonable opportunity to understand the terms of the clause, which remained unchanged throughout the course of dealing. [20] In addition, Factors asserts that Hartwig Farms, Inc. v. Pacific Gamble Robinson Co., 28 Wash.App. 539, 625 P.2d 171 (1981), a case decided after Schroeder but before American Nursery, is determinative. Hartwig is distinguishable and not controlling here. In Hartwig, Division Three held that a warranty disclaimer included on an invoice sent after a contract for sale of seed was formed was ineffective as a matter of law. Id. at 540, 625 P.2d 171. Pacific, a seed broker, would telephone and order seed. After the sale was complete, the seed provider would send a written confirmation of sale, which the broker would sign and return. The confirmation of sale did not contain any disclaimer of warranties. The seed provider would then ship the seed accompanied by an invoice that included a warranty disclaimer. Therefore, considering Hartwig involved a contract for goods, not services, and a warranty disclaimer, not a liability exclusion clause, it presents a situation wholly distinct from the case before us.