Court Opinion

ID: 3146126
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:13:25.968608+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:55:11.020693
License: Public Domain

Fourth Division
                                                                   September 7, 2006

Nos. 1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

AMY GRAHAM and KENNETH ROYAL,                        )      Appeal from the
                                                     )      Circuit Court of
                 Plaintiffs-Appellees,               )      Cook County
                                                     )
       v.                                            )      Nos. 02 M1 147304
                                                     )           02 M1 304967
                                                     )
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA,                               )      Honorable
                                                     )      John Laurie,
                 Defendant-Appellant.                )      Judge Presiding.

       JUSTICE NEVILLE delivered the modified opinion of the court:

       In these consolidated interlocutory appeals, plaintiffs, Amy Graham, Kenneth Royal and

Jeffrey Shoemaker 1, filed complaints against defendant, Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai), and

alleged that they were sold defective vehicles. Hyundai filed motions to dismiss the plaintiffs'

complaints predicated on section 2-619 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-619 (West

2002)), but the motions were denied. However, the trial court granted Hyundai=s request to certify

       1
           After participating in the Cook County mandatory arbitration program, Hyundai and

Shoemaker accepted the arbitrator=s decision and Shoemaker=s case was dismissed. This court

thereafter granted Hyundai=s motion to sever and dismiss the Shoemaker appeal, leaving Graham

and Royal as the remaining appellees.
the following question:

               AWhether Hyundai=s informal dispute settlement procedure

               established through [the] Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line

               Program, complies with the applicable [Federal Trade Commission

               (FTC)] rules codified at 16 C.F.R. '703.1 et seq. thereby requiring

               plaintiff to first resort to Hyundai=s procedure before commencing a

               civil action as required by [section 2310(a)(3)(C)(i) of the

               Magnuson-Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvement

               Act (Act) (15 U.S.C. '2310(a)(3)(C)(i))].@

Hyundai sought leave to appeal to the appellate court, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 308 (155 Ill.
2d R. 308). The appellate court denied Hyundai=s Supreme Court Rule 308 petition. 155 Ill. 2d R.

308. On April 28, 2003, Hyundai filed a petition for leave to appeal in the Illinois Supreme Court,

pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 315. 177 Ill. 2d R. 315. The supreme court denied the motion for

leave to appeal, but entered the following supervisory order:

                      AIn the exercise of this Court=s supervisory authority, the

               Appellate Court, First District, is directed to vacate its order in

               Shoemaker v. Hyundai Motor America, Nos. 1-03-0252, 1-03-0253,

               1-03-0254 cons., denying the petition for interlocutory appeal

               pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 308 and to answer the certified

               question.@ 205 Ill. 2d 647 (2003).

In compliance with the supreme court=s supervisory order, we answer the certified question.

                                        BACKGROUND
1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

       The plaintiffs, Graham and Royal, each purchased a Hyundai vehicle in 2002 that they

characterize as defective. The purchase of each vehicle came with an express written warranty to

repair or replace parts Afound to be defective in material or workmanship under normal use and

maintenance.@ The express warranty provisions also provide for the buyer's participation in non-

binding, alternative dispute resolution through the BBB Auto Line program. The warranty also

provides that participation in the BBB Auto Line program must occur prior to pursuing court action.

According to the warranty, A[i]f [a buyer] reject[s] the decision of the arbitrator [the buyer] may

pursue other legal remedies under state or federal law.@

       Graham and Royal each filed a complaint in the circuit court of Cook County claiming: (1)

breach of written warranty; (2) breach of the implied warranty of merchantability; and (3) revocation

of the acceptance of the vehicles. The plaintiffs alleged in their individual complaints that they each

purchased a defective Hyundai vehicle. The plaintiffs also alleged that Hyundai=s authorized

dealerships failed to repair the defects after a reasonable number of attempts. As a result of not

having the defects in their Hyundais repaired, the plaintiffs attempted to revoke their acceptance of

the vehicles, which Hyundai refused to honor.

       Hyundai filed a section 2-619 motion to dismiss the plaintiffs= complaints because neither

Graham nor Royal submitted his or her individual claim to the BBB Auto Line process in advance of

filing suit in the circuit court. The trial court denied the plaintiffs= motions and certified the

aforementioned question. This court denied Hyundai=s application on March 24, 2003, but the

supreme court issued a supervisory order that directed this court to answer the certified question.

                                            ANALYSIS

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

       The threshold question we must answer in this appeal is whether Hyundai=s informal dispute

settlement procedure complies with the FTC=s rules codified in 16 C.F.R. '703 (2006). Hyundai

argues that the trial court erred in denying its motion to dismiss the plaintiffs= complaints. Hyundai

argues that its informal dispute resolution (IDR) procedure, established through the BBB Auto Line

Program, facilitates the presuit resolution of consumer claims and implements the federal and

Illinois policy favoring the settlement of claims. Hyundai also argues that Graham and Royal

(plaintiffs, collectively) must first resort to the BBB Auto Line program before commencing a civil

action. Accordingly, Hyundai argues that the trial court erred in denying its section 2-619 motion to

dismiss. 735 ILCS 5/2-619 (West 2002). Hyundai also argues that the trial court erred in finding

that Hyundai=s IDR procedure fails to comply with the requirements of the FTC.

       According to Hyundai, its IDR procedure fully complies with the FTC=s rules. Hyundai

argues that the BBB Auto Line is an annually audited program. According to an affidavit submitted

by Alan L. Cohen, deputy general counsel of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the BBB Auto

Line is Aan independently operated program of the Better Business Bureau system@ established to

provide car owners with an informal system under which to bring warranty complaints. Hyundai

argues that it presented the results of annual outside audits of the BBB Auto Line program to the

trial court. Hyundai maintains that the affidavit establishes compliance with the FTC rules.

Hyundai argues that Graham and Royal failed to present evidence to rebut deputy general counsel

Cohen=s conclusion that the BBB Auto Line program complied with the FTC rules.

       The plaintiffs argue that the trial court was correct in refusing to dismiss their complaints

because Hyundai failed to demonstrate that its IDR procedure complied with the Act. The plaintiffs

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

also argue that they did not have to submit to Hyundai=s IDR procedure before filing the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs also argue that Hyundai failed to present sufficient evidence that its IDR procedure

complied with the FTC's rules, specifically section 703 and all the subsections contained therein. 16

C.F.R. '703 (2006). The plaintiffs argue that the FTC rules are binding on this court and must be

strictly construed. The plaintiffs also argue that the burden is on Hyundai to demonstrate

compliance, not on the plaintiffs to demonstrate noncompliance, with the rules.

       Plaintiffs also argue that the BBB Auto Line program limits the available remedies by

excluding the potential for the recovery of consequential damages and attorney fees. Plaintiffs argue

that the BBB Auto Line program is defective in that it does not consider the Act or the chief measure

of damages for breach of warranty in Illinois, diminution in value. Plaintiffs further argue that

Hyundai=s IDR procedure does not comply with the disclosure requirements found in section 703.2.

16 C.F.R. '703.2 (2006). Specifically, plaintiffs argue the required information is not disclosed

clearly and conspicuously on the face of the written warranty.

       According to Hyundai, it is a misstatement of the record to argue a lack of adequate notice of

the warranty. Hyundai argues that the plaintiffs have misinterpreted the first page of the text of the

owner=s manual as the first page of the warranty when that is merely an introductory page with

general information and an overview of the manual.

       In analyzing section 703, we must consider two things: (1) whether the warranty

conspicuously disclosed the information required in section 703.2(b) (16 C.F.R. '703.2(b)(2006));

and (2) whether the written warranty mechanism complies with sections 703.3 through 703.8 of the

rules. 16 C.F.R. '703.3 through 703.8 (2006). First, section 703.2 of the FTC's rules delineates the

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

duties of a warrantor and sets out the information that must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed

on the face of the written warranty. 16 C.F.R. '703.2 (2006). The Aface of the warranty@ is defined

differently by the FTC depending on how the warranty is written and provided to the consumer. 16

C.F.R. '703.1(h)(1), (h)(2) (2006). Section 703.1(h)(1) provides that A[i]f the warranty is a single

sheet with printing on both sides of the sheet, or if the warranty is comprised of more than one sheet,

[the written warranty must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed on] the page on which the

warranty text begins." 16 C.F.R. '703.1(h)(1) (2006). Section 703.1(h)(2) provides that A[i]f the

warranty is included as part of a longer document, such as a use and care manual, [the written

warranty must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed on] the page in such document on which the

warranty text begins.@ 16 C.F.R. '703.1(h)(2) (2006).

       Section 703.2 (16 C.F.R. '703.2 (2006)) of the FTC's rules provides that a warrantor shall

incorporate a mechanism into the terms of the written warranty that complies with sections 703.3

through 703.8 (16 C.F.R. ''703.03 through 703.8 (2006)). Section 703.2(b) provides that a

warranty shall clearly and conspicuously disclose:

                      A(1) A statement of the availability of the informal dispute

            settlement mechanism;

                      (2) The name and address of the Mechanism, or the name and a

            telephone number of the Mechanism which consumers may use without

            charge;

                      (3) A statement of any requirement that the consumer resort to the

            Mechanism before exercising rights or seeking remedies created by Title I of the

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            1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

            Act; together with the disclosure that if a consumer chooses to seek redress by

            pursuing rights and remedies not created by Title I of the Act, resort to the

            Mechanism would not be required by any provision of the Act; and

                    (4) A statement, if applicable, indicating where further information on

            the Mechanism can be found in materials accompanying the product, as

            provided in '703.2(c) of this section.@ 16 C.F.R. '703.2(b) (2006).

       Hyundai=s owner=s manual provides an explanation of the availability of the

alternative dispute resolution mechanism through the BBB Auto Line program. This

information is found in section 5 of the Hyundai New Vehicle Limited Warranty at page 14,

the first page of text of the warranty section. That section of the manual instructs consumers

to refer to the consumer information section of the manual for an explanation of the steps to

be followed in the event of a warranty dispute. Section 5 of the manual also identifies BBB

Auto Line as the alternative dispute program applicable to Hyundai car owners. The manual

provides a contact address and telephone number. Additionally, the manual provides that the

BBB Auto Line program must be used prior to filing a court action. We find that the

information provided by Hyundai to its buyers complies with the requirements found in

sections 703.2(b)(1) through (b)(4) of the FTC's rules. 16 C.F.R. ''703.2(b)(1) through

(b)(4) (2006).

       Second, section 703.2 of the FTC's rules provides that a warrantor shall not

incorporate into the terms of a written warranty a mechanism that fails to comply with the

requirements contained in sections 703.3 through 703.8 of the rules. 16 C.F.R. '703.3

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

through 703.8 (2006). Section 703.3 of the FTC's rules provides minimum requirements for

setting up the organization of the mechanism, including funding, staffing and insulation for

the members and the staff from the warrantor and the sponsor. 16 C.F.R. '703.3 (2006).

Section 703.3 of the rules also provides that A[t]he Mechanism shall impose any other

reasonable requirements necessary to ensure that the members and staff act fairly and

expeditiously in each dispute.@ 16 C.F.R. '703.3(c)(2006).

         Section 703.4 of the FTC's rules provides minimum requirements for the qualification

of the

members of the mechanism. 16 C.F.R. '703.4 (2006). When one or two members are

deciding a dispute, section 703.4 provides that none of the members Ashall be persons having

no direct involvement in the manufacture, distribution, sale or service of any product.@ 16

C.F.R. '703.4(b)(2006). If the dispute is being decided by more than two members, at least

two-thirds of the members must have Ano direct involvement in the manufacture,

distribution, sale or service of any product.@ 16 C.F.R. '703.4(b)(2006).

         Section 703.5 of the FTC's rules provides instructions for the operation of the

mechanism. 16 C.F.R. '703.5 (2006). Section 703.5 provides that A[t]he Mechanism shall

establish written operating procedures which shall include at least those items specified in

[section 703.5(b) through (j)].@ 16 C.F.R. '703.5 (2006). Those sections provide for: (1)

notice of the dispute to the warrantor and the consumer (16 C.F.R. '703.5(b)(2006)); (2) a

mechanism for the investigation, gathering and organization of information necessary for a

fair and expeditious decision in each dispute (16 C.F.R. '703.5(c)(2006)); (3) the rendering

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

of a decision within 40 days of the notification of the dispute (16 C.F.R. '703.5(d)(2006));

(4) an exception to the 40 day rule for situations where the consumer causes a delay or has

failed to attempt to seek redress from the warrantor (16 C.F.R. '703.5(e)(2006)); (5) rules

whereby a party to the dispute may make an oral presentation (16 C.F.R. '703.5(f)(2006));

(6) a statement informing the consumer (a) of the legal remedies available if the consumer is

dissatisfied with the decision, (b) that the decision is deemed admissible in evidence, and (c)

that the consumer may obtain, at reasonable cost, copies of all mechanism records relating to

the dispute (16 C.F.R. '703.5(g)(2006)); (6) instructions that the mechanism shall ascertain

from the consumer whether performance has occurred (16 C.F.R. '703.5(h)(2006)); (7) a

statement to the consumer that he or she must utilize the mechanism before filing an action

in the circuit court (16 C.F.R. '703.5(I)(2006)); and (8) a statement informing the consumer

that the decisions of the mechanism are not legally binding on any person (16 C.F.R.

'703.5(j)(2006)).

       Section 703.6 of the FTC's rules provides minimum requirements for record keeping

by the mechanism. 16 C.F.R. '703.6 (2006). Finally, section 703.7 of the FTC's rules

provides that A[t]he Mechanism shall have an audit conducted at least annually, to determine

whether the Mechanism and its implementation are in compliance with this part.@ 16 C.F.R.

'703.7 (2006).

       Hyundai argues that the BBB Auto Line program is subjected to such an audit. In

support of that argument, Hyundai provided an affidavit and supporting documentation from

deputy general counsel Cohen of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. According to

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

deputy general counsel Cohen, the BBB Auto Line has been annually audited since 1986 by

Morrison & Company, an independent third party. Cohen avers in his affidavit that every

audit since 1986 has confirmed that the BBB Auto Line program has been in compliance

with the provisions of section 703. 16 C.F.R. '703 (2006). Morrison & Company audited

the program and concluded in its audit that, A[i]n the main, the program uses efficiently and

professionally-managed Informal Dispute Resolution Procedures which are in compliance

with all pertinent federal and state regulations.@ We note that Hyundai's affidavit was not

controverted with a counteraffidavit and it was not challenged in the circuit court with a

motion to strike. A[W]hen the facts in an affidavit are uncontradicted, >they must be taken as

true notwithstanding the existence of contrary unsupported allegations.= @ Webb v. Mount

Sinai Hospital & Medical Center of Chicago, Inc., 347 Ill. App. 3d 817, 826 (2004), quoting

Flannery v. Lin, 176 Ill. App. 3d 652, 658 (1988).

       The affidavit and the audit establish that Hyundai=s BBB Auto Line program is a

nationwide program that is in compliance with the FTC's rules. The plaintiffs have failed to

present any evidence to rebut Hyundai's evidence. Therefore, we find that Hyundai=s IDR

procedure complies with the FTC=s rules.

       Next, we must determine whether the plaintiffs are required to resort to Hyundai=s

IDR procedure before commencing a civil action. Both the plaintiffs and Hyundai have cited

Borowiec v. Gateway 2000, Inc., 331 Ill. App. 3d 842 (2002). During the pendency of this

case, the Illinois Supreme Court rendered its opinion in Borowiec. See Borowiec v.

Gateway 2000, Inc., 209 Ill. 2d 376 (2004) (Borowiec II). In Borowiec II, the supreme court

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

extensively discussed the nature of informal dispute resolution under the Act:

            "[T]he Magnuson-Moss Act provides for the establishment of informal

            dispute settlement mechanisms, and authorizes the Federal Trade

            Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules setting forth the minimum

            requirements for the procedures. 15 U.S.C. '2310(a) (1994).            If a

            warrantor establishes an informal dispute settlement procedure which

            complies with the requirements of the FTC rules, and the warrantor

            incorporates in a written warranty a requirement that the consumer resort to

            such procedure, the consumer may not commence a civil action unless he

            initially resorts to the procedure. 15 U.S.C. '2310(a)(3) (1994). * * * The

            Magnuson-Moss Act nowhere defines the terms 'informal dispute

            settlement procedures' and 'informal dispute settlement mechanisms.'

                   In enforcing the Magnuson-Moss Act, the FTC has determined that

            decisions of an informal dispute settlement mechanism >shall not be legally

            binding on any person= (16 C.F.R. '703.5(j) (2003)) and has defined the

            term >mechanism= broadly to include binding arbitration. 40 Fed. Reg.

            60167, 60210, 60211, 60218 (1975).@ Borowiec II, 209 Ill. 2d at 387.

       Despite the evidence presented, the trial court was Anot totally satisfied [Hyundai=s

program] meets the federal requirements * * * that [the] damages that would be received,

including attorneys= fees and other things, would be the same under this program that a

person would * * *have available to them under the federal law.@ In light of the supreme

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

court=s ruling in Borowiec II, we find that the trial court was in error. In Borowiec II,

quoting from Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc., our supreme court

found that A ' "[b]y agreeing to arbitrate a statutory claim, a party does not forgo the

substantive rights afforded by the statute; it only submits to their resolution in an arbitral,

rather than a judicial forum." = @ Borowiec II, 209 Ill. 2d at 390, quoting Walton v. Rose

Mobile Homes LLC, 298 F.3d 470, 476 (5th Cir. 2005), quoting Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v.

Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc., 473 U.S. 614, 628, 87 L. Ed. 2d 444, 456, 105 S. Ct. 3346,

3354 (1985).

       According to Borowiec II, under the Act, if the warrantor establishes an IDR

procedure that complies with the applicable rules, and we have found that Hyundai's IDR

procedure complies with the FTC's rules, then the consumer must utilize that procedure

before filing a civil action. 15 U.S.C. '2310(a)(3)(c)(i)(2000). After using the IDR

procedure, the Act provides that Aa consumer who is damaged by the failure of a supplier,

warrantor, or service contractor to comply with any obligation under this chapter, or under a

written warranty, implied warranty, or service contract, may bring suit for damages and other

legal and equitable relief-- (A) in any court of competent jurisdiction in any State or the

District of Columbia; or (B) in an appropriate district court of the United States, subject to

paragraph (3) of this subsection.@ 15 U.S.C.'2310(d)(1)(A), (d)(1)(B)(2000).

       According to Hyundai=s owner's manual, which delineates the IDR procedure and

provides that it is non-binding on the consumer, the remedies available under state and

federal law that are not prescribed remedies in the IDR procedure become available during

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

the IDR procedure if agreed to by the parties, or after the IDR procedure should the

consumer be dissatisfied with the arbitrated settlement and choose to proceed to court. The

BBB Auto Line Rules provide that an arbitrator may award any remedies available under the

company=s program summary or additional remedies that are agreed to by the parties. 2 This

is consistent with section 703.5(d)(1) of the FTC's rules, which provides that A[a] decision

shall include any remedies appropriate under the circumstances, including repair,

replacement, refund, reimbursement for expenses, compensation for damages, and any other

remedies available under the written warranty or the Act (or rules thereunder).@ (Emphasis

added.) 16 C.F.R. '703.5(d)(1)(2006). As to claims for attorney fees, the Act contemplates

that they would only be available to the prevailing party in the discretion of the trial court.

15 U.S.C. '2310(d)(2)(2000). The fact that they are generally not available to participants in

the BBB Auto Line program is not inconsistent with the Act, especially considering the fact

that Hyundai=s IDR procedure is non-binding. Therefore, under the Act, we hold that after

using the IDR procedure, a consumer who is dissatisfied with the relief he received may still

       2
           In the BBB Auto Line Rules, there is a section on Available Remedies which provides:

"[t]he arbitrator may award any remedies available under the company's Program Summary.

Additional remedies may be awarded only if agreed to by the parties."

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

recover costs, expenses and attorney fees, if found to be appropriate in a state or federal

court. 15 U.S.C. '2310(d)(2)(2000).

       Section 2310 of the Act provides that the express congressional policy is Ato

encourage warrantors to establish procedures whereby consumer disputes are fairly and

expeditiously settled through informal dispute settlement mechanisms.@           15 U.S.C.

'2310(a)(1)(2000). In order to implement the informal dispute resolution mechanism called

for under the Act, Congress has empowered the Federal Trade Commission to enact rules

defining the necessary procedures. See 16 C.F.R. '703.1 et seq. (2006). The Borowiec II

court held that the Magnuson-Moss Act does not bar arbitration of a consumer=s claims

under the Act. Borowiec II, 209 Ill. 2d at 397.

       Plaintiffs have filed a motion and cited Razor v. Hyundai Motor America, No. 98813

(June 29, 2006), as additional authority. Plaintiffs maintain that the BBB Auto Line

program=s remedies are inconsistent with the Act and Illinois law (1) because the Act allows

for consequential damages, and (2) because the measure of damages under the Act is

diminution in value B the difference between the value as warranted and the value as

delivered. The plaintiffs maintain that the Razor court found that the disclaimer of

consequential damages in the plaintiffs= contract with Hyundai was unconscionable and that

the primary measure of damages under the Act is diminished value. Razor does not make

the disclaimer of consequential damages per se unconscionable but only unconscionable in

that case. Razor, slip op. at 22. Therefore, we are not required to make the disclaimer of

damages unconscionable in this case. Razor, slip op. at 22.

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       Graham and Royal also direct this court to Muller v. Winnebago Industries, Inc., 318
F. Supp. 844 (2004). Graham and Royal argue that this case provides a basis for rejecting

Hyundai=s arguments and affirming the trial court=s decision. We disagree and note that we

are not required to follow federal cases interpreting Arizona law. Bowman v. American

River Transportation Co., 217 Ill. 2d 75, 91-92 (2005); Lamar Whiteco Outdoor Corporation

v. City of West Chicago, 355 Ill. App. 3d 352, 360 (2005). The Muller court concluded that

the Auto Line program failed to meet the substantive requirements of section 703 of the FTC

rules because A[Applicable Arizona law] requires IDR mechanisms to allow all remedies

available under state law, this exclusion renders Auto Line * * * noncompliant.@ Muller, 318
F. Supp. at 848-49 (the Auto Line program fails to meet the substantive requirements of

section 703, at least with respect to disputes in Arizona).

       We find the Muller court's interpretation of section 703 to be inconsistent with the

language in section 703.5(d)(1) of the FTC rules. Section 703.5(d)(1) provides that an IDR

mechanism must result in a decision that Aincludes any remedies available under the

circumstances * * * and Aany other remedies available under the written warranty or the Act

(or rules thereunder).@ 16 C.F.R. '703.5(d)(1) (2006) (Emphasis added). We note that

section 703 uses disjunctive rather than conjunctive language. We interpret the language in

section 703 to require an IDR mechanism that results in a decision that provides for one of

two remedies: (1) it must provide Aany remedies available under the circumstances@ and (2) it

must provide for Aany other remedies available under the written warranty@ or it must

provide for any remedies available under the Act (or rules thereunder).           16 C.F.R.

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1-03-0253 & 1-03-0254 (Consolidated)

'703.5(d)(1) (2006). Accordingly, after the arbitrator provides the consumer with the

remedies that are available, the arbitrator may then look for remedies available under the

written warranty or under the Act or rules. 16 C.F.R. '703.5(d)(1).

        In Muller, A[t]he parties agree[d] that [the] appropriate remedies [would be]

determined with reference to state law.@ Muller, 318 F. Supp. at 849. In this case, the

parties made no such agreement: the parties did not bind themselves to the remedies

available under state law. Instead, in the Hyundai, Royal and Graham agreements, the

parties contractually limited their rights and agreed to the remedies in Hyundai=s written

warranty, including the fact that disputes would be resolved in a non-binding arbitral forum.

The Hyundai, Royal and Graham agreements were permissible under section 703 because

decisions can be based on remedies in the written warranty or codified in the Act (or rules

thereunder). 16 C.F.R. '703.5(d)(1) (2006). Therefore, we hold that the remedies provided

in the BBB Auto Line IDR mechanism will result in a decision that complies with the

requirements in section 703 of the FTC Rules. 16 C.F.R. '703 (2006).

        We find the fact that the BBB Auto Line program excludes the recovery of

consequential damages and does not use diminution of value as the measure of damages does

not prevent the IDR mechanism from complying with the regulations for two reasons. First,

Hyundai's owner's manual makes it clear that the remedies available under law, including

consequential damages and the use of diminution of value as the measure of damages, which

are not available as part of Hyundai's IDR program, become available (a) if agreed to by the

parties, or (b) if the consumer is dissatisfied with the arbitrated settlement, he may proceed to

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court. Second, because Hyundai's owner's manual makes it clear that the IDR procedure is

non-binding on the consumer. Therefore, we hold that the Razor holding does not void

Hyundai's IDR program because the IDR program is non-binding and the consumer retains

the option of going to court if he does not like the settlement.

                                      CONCLUSION

       In light of the foregoing, we answer the certified question posed by the circuit court

as follows: (1) Hyundai=s IDR procedure, established through the Better Business Bureau

Auto Line program, complies with the applicable FTC's rules; and (2) following Borrowiec

II, Graham and Royal were required to first resort to Hyundai=s IDR procedure before

commencing a civil action. Borrowiec II, 209 Ill. 2d at 387.

       Certified question answered.

       GALLAGHER, J., and O'MARA FROSSARD, J., concur.

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