Opinion ID: 201025
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Detrimental Reliance upon Misrepresentation

Text: 25 Since the evidence in this case did not warrant a finding that a `promise' in the contractual sense had been made ... no amount of reliance on the part of [Boyle] would give rise to a `contract' by virtue of reliance. R.I. Trust Nat'l Bank, 647 N.E.2d at 1179. Nevertheless, Boyle argues that representations made by Navistar that the application process was a mere formality led to his failure to properly apply for the dealership. In order to establish such a claim, [Boyle], at a minimum, must establish that [Navistar] made a false representation of a material fact with knowledge of its falsity for the purpose of inducing the plaintiff to act thereon, and that [Boyle] reasonably relied upon the representation as true and acted upon it to his damage. Russell v. Cooley Dickinson Hosp., Inc., 437 Mass. 443, 772 N.E.2d 1054, 1066 (2002) (internal citations and quotations omitted). 26 Boyle's claim fails because he could not reasonably rely on these representations because he knew, as he admitted in his deposition, that none of the individuals making these representations had the authority to grant or deny him the dealership. An official Navistar communication indicated to Boyle that he should submit several items, and by a particular date, in order to be considered for a dealership. It was unreasonable for Boyle to disregard these instructions by relying upon statements made by Navistar employees who lacked the authority to decide whether Boyle would become a Navistar dealer.