Court Opinion

ID: 9673117
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:06:33.061582+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:20.204254
License: Public Domain

OSBORN, Justice,
concurring.
When the purpose and intent of the Deceptive Trade Practices — Consumer Protection Act is considered, it seems obvious that one of the largest “service” groups in the State, real estate agents, should be included within those subject to the provisions of the Act. That certainly is evident from the fact that the Legislature amended the Act to include “real property purchased or leased for use” within the definition of “goods” following the holding in Cape Conroe Limited v. Specht, 525 S.W.2d 215 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1975, no writ), which held that the original definition of goods as “tangible chattels bought for use” did not include real estate transactions. See: Bragg, Maxwell & Longley, *801Texas Consumer Litigation Sec. 2.01 at 30 (1978). But, in this case, the Appellee did not purchase the real property in question from the Appellant. The purchase was from the owners, Gene and Ann Carlis.
Certainly, the Appellant did furnish a “service" in the sale of this property. But, the Appellees did not “purchase or lease" such service. The Act defines “Services” to mean “work, labor, or service purchased or leased for use, including services furnished in connection with the sale or repair of goods.” As noted in the Chief Justice’s opinion, the earnest money contract required the sellers, Gene and Ann Carlis, to pay the real estate commission and the evidence reflects that they alone paid such commission. Thus, for the reasons set forth in all those cases cited in Chief Justice Preslar’s opinion, the Appellees are not consumers of any goods or services which they purchased from the Appellant.
I would suggest a need to again amend the Act to provide protection for a consumer where the one who provides the service has been paid therefor, even though the consumer did not purchase or pay for such service.