Court Opinion

ID: 9539682
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:08:26.144258+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:12.812761
License: Public Domain

Hunter, J.
(dissenting) — I disagree with the holding of the majority that rescission was timely made. The washer and the one replaced were continuously used for washing sheets in the appellants’ nursing home for approximately nine months, and the dryer and the one replaced were used there for about six months. The record discloses the use of the equipment was to the extent of ten to twelve washings a day of at least seven sheets per washing, for the above periods, during which time the appellants knew the equipment was not as represented.
The rule stated by the majority in Eliason v. Walker, 42 Wn. (2d) 473, 477, 256 P. (2d) 298 (1953) is that “ . . . *508Diligence in rescission is á relative question, and whether of not there has been an unreasonable delay in a given case depends upon the particular circumstances of that case. . . . ”
In Elwood Edwards, Inc. v. Kinsey, 123 Colo. 52, 225 P. (2d) 59 (1950), similar on the facts and the relief sought to the instant case, the Colorado court held the buyer was not diligent in electing to rescind the contract where he repeatedly returned an automobile for repairs for a period beyond what would be a reasonable time to rescind. The decision was based upon the reasoning that
“ . . . it would be glaringly inequitable to require defendant to pay for the use and benefit plaintiff had received, and would be contrary to all rules governing the remedies of a buyer in an action for rescission of a sales contract. It is clear that plaintiff did not adhere to the long-established rule, that in order to rescind the contract for any breach of warranty, he should have acted promptly by refusing to keep the automobile instead of electing to retain the car and enjoying its beneficial use.”
This reasoning is persuasive and should be adopted by this court.
The circumstances of the instant case, in my opinion, support the finding of the trial court that the rescission was waived by reason of the long and extensive use of this equipment. It is inherent in the relief afforded by rescission, that circumstances must be such to permit the parties being placed within at least reasonable reach of status quo, RCW 63.04.700(3), unless it be due to the fault of the seller. This is, of course, the basic reason that diligence must be exercised by the person seeking rescission; otherwise a restoration to status quo will be denied the party against whom the rescission is sought. Where the status quo is so unapproachable by reason of the delay of the person seeking rescission, as in the instant case, the person seeking rescission stands in a position to gain an unconscionable advantage, for which no compensation- by that person has been paid, to the total loss of the other.
The appellants should not be permitted in a court of *509equity to have free use of this equipment to their substantial benefit. Under the majority holding, they will have obtained a benefit incident to their relief requested which a court of equity should not countenance. The relief of the appellants, under the circumstances of the present case, should be on the theory of damages for breach of warranty as afforded by RCW 63.04.700.
I am in agreement with the rule cited by the majority in Eliason v. Walker, supra, that a buyer who continues in possession and uses the property may still elect to rescind the contract for a breach of warranty when the delay was induced by the promise of the seller to make the equipment comply with the warranty. However, under these conditions, delay in rescinding may not be extended beyond a reasonable time. When the use has been as extensive as in the instant case and where, as here, the equipment cannot be returned to the seller in substantially as good condition as it was when delivered to the purchaser, a reasonable time for rescinding the contract has elapsed.
The judgment should be affirmed and the cause remanded for modification of the judgment for dismissal without prejudice to the appellants to pursue their proper remedy.