Opinion ID: 1828329
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Breach-of-Warranty Claim Against Creekside (Issue IV)

Text: The Bagleys also contend that the trial court erred in entering a summary judgment for Creekside on their breachof-warranty claim. They argue that Alabama law does not allow as is clauses to limit liability for personal injury resulting from use of a consumer good. They do not differentiate between express warranties and implied warranties. We conclude that Creekside extended no express warranty to the Bagleys. According to Deborah's deposition, a salesman at Creekside told her that the 1980 Mazda was a good car and that it was about the best one they had [on the dealership lot] at that time. Section 7-2-313(2), Ala.Code 1975, states, in pertinent part, an affirmation merely of the value of the goods or a statement purporting to be merely the seller's opinion or commendation of the goods does not create a warranty. In Pell City Wood, Inc. v. Forke Brothers Auctioneers, Inc., 474 So.2d 694, 695 (Ala.1985), the plaintiff purchased a vehicle as is at an auction, and subsequently sued the auctioneer and the seller on claims of recision, breach of warranty, and fraud. The plaintiff argued that representations made by the auctioneer created an express warranty. This Court disagreed, however, explaining: The statements of the auctioneer that `the trucks are in good condition,' and `the trucks are ready to work tomorrow' are clearly an example of `puffing' on the part of the auctioneer in an attempt to get more money at sale. Even if they are not classified as `puffing,' at best these statements are simply the auctioneer's opinion or commendation of the trucks which, according to Code 1975, § 7-2-313(2), do not rise to the level of an express warranty. Likewise, no express warranties were ever created under the facts of this case. Unless specifically disclaimed, implied warranties are created upon the sale of goods. Section 7-2-314, Ala.Code 1975, provides, in pertinent part: (1) Unless excluded or modified (Section 7-2-316), a warranty that the goods shall be merchantable is implied in a contract for their sale if the seller is a merchant with respect to goods of that kind.... (2) Goods to be merchantable must be at least such as: .... (c) Are fit for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used.... Section 7-2-315, Ala.Code 1975, states: 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 Section 7-2-316 an implied warranty that the goods shall be fit for such purpose. To determine whether any implied warranties attached to the sale of the used 1980 Mazda to Deborah, we must look to § 7-2-316(3)(a), Ala.Code 1975, which provides, in relevant part, that all implied warranties are excluded by expressions like `as is,' ... or other language which in common understanding calls the buyer's attention to the exclusion of warranties and makes plain that there is no implied warranty. This section allows a seller to exclude or modify, through commonly understood expressions, the otherwise statutorily implied warranties on the goods sold. As previously noted, according to the affidavit of Parsons, an As Is-No Warranty sticker was posted on the window of the 1980 Mazda and the words As Is were written below the sticker on the face of the Buyer's Guide, which Deborah signed on its reverse side. Deborah also signed an As Is Bill of Sale, which specifically detailed all of the warranties being disclaimed, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Therefore, Creekside satisfied the statutory language of § 7-2-316(3)(a) by notifying Deborah, in two different documents, that the car she was purchasing was being sold as is. However, the Bagleys cite Ala.Code 1975, § 7-2-316(5), in support of their breach-of-warranty argument. Section 7-2-316(5) states, in pertinent part, that [n]othing in subsection (2)[ [13] ] or subsection (3)(a) or in Section 7-2-317[ [14] ] shall be construed so as to limit or exclude the seller's liability for damages for injury to the person in the case of consumer goods. Consumer goods are defined as goods that are used or bought for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Ala.Code 1975, § 7-9A-102(a)(23). Here the Bagleys are suing based on personal injuries they suffered as a result of the purchase of a car, which, under the facts of this case, is a consumer good. In order for the Bagleys to sustain a claim for breach of an implied warranty, they must show `the existence of the implied warranty, a breach of that warranty, and damages proximately resulting from that breach.' Barrington Corp. v. Patrick Lumber Co., 447 So.2d 785, 787 (Ala.Civ. App.1984) (quoting Storey v. Day Heating & Air Conditioning Co., 56 Ala.App. 81, 83, 319 So.2d 279, 280 (1975)). The record indicates that on the day Deborah purchased the 1980 Mazda, a wheel came off while the car was being driven. This fact raises the issue whether the car was fit for its ordinary purpose and therefore merchantable. Also, Deborah testified that a salesperson at Creekside, knowing the particular purpose for which Deborah was purchasing the car  roadway transportation  recommended the 1980 Mazda to her and dissuaded her from her first choice, which raises a fact question as to whether an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose existed. Thus, the evidence is sufficient to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to the Bagleys' claim as to damages for breach of implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. We conclude, therefore, that the trial court erred in granting Creekside's motion for a summary judgment on the Bagley's breach-ofwarranty claim as to the personal-injury claims arising out of the breach of the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose; to that extent the summary judgment is due to be reversed.