Opinion ID: 1309792
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether the question of punitive damages was improperly submitted to the jury.

Text: In early January, 1978, Durkin, while shopping for a new car, went to Peacock where she met its salesman, Jack Glasser. Glasser quoted her a price, in writing, which included a trade-in allowance of $3,500.00 on Durkin's car. After comparing other dealers' proposals, Durkin returned to Peacock and entered into a contract for the purchase of a 1978 model Buick automobile. The sales contract, prepared by Glasser, contained the price previously quoted to Durkin, including the trade-in allowance of $3,500.00. Since the car had to be ordered, Durkin paid a deposit of $100.00 and left with the understanding that Glasser would call her when the car arrived. Glasser took the contract to Russell Creekmore, Peacock's sales manager, who ordered the car. On February 21, 1978, Durkin went to Peacock to take delivery. She delivered the trade-in vehicle to Peacock and completed all documents necessary for delivery of the new car. Peacock accepted Durkin's check for $3,427.00, and Durkin was given the keys to the new automobile and copies of all documents. License tags were transferred from her old to her new car and an inventory sticker was placed on the window of the trade-in. Upon leaving Peacock in her new automobile and driving it a short distance, Durkin noticed the gas gauge registered empty. Fearing she would run out of gasoline, she returned to Peacock to acquire some. Peacock sent a mechanic out in the new car to fill the tank. While waiting for his mechanic to return, Creekmore discovered a $1,000.00 error in the transaction. Creekmore contended that the trade-in value should have been $2,500.00, rather than $3,500.00. Creekmore informed Durkin that she could not retain the new car unless she paid him an additional $1,000.00. While attempting to explain the discrepancy to Durkin, Creekmore became angry and Durkin began to cry. Creekmore called for Peacock's President, Michael Peacock, and, upon being advised of the situation by Creekmore, Mr. Peacock told Durkin that unless she paid the $1,000.00, he would retain the automobile. Durkin informed Mr. Peacock that Peacock was acting illegally and that she was going to call her lawyer. Mr. Peacock appeared to panic and told Durkin not to get a lawyer because litigation would take two years and by the time the matter got through the courts it would cost her more than it was worth. When Durkin refused to pay the additional money, Peacock took possession of the keys to the new automobile from the mechanic and, over Durkin's protests, kept the new car and returned the checks and the old car to Durkin.