Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

False Advertisment. No Refund

I purchase an car alarm over the internet for $150.

The seller stated in the ad ''Everything needed to work'' I repeatedly asked, if its everything i need to install it. Seller said ''Yes''

Sent him a payment, got the item. Turns out item is missing a part that is pretty much the brain of the alarm system. Without that it wont work.

I ask for refund, seller ignores. I told him i will take legal action, he said he will win no matter what.

Now, being that im a minor, is there any law protecting me?

There was no contact signed, but there was an online ad and also in writing since it was online and through email.


Asked on 1/01/07, 7:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: False Advertisment. No Refund

The problem isn't your age, it is the difficulty of suing somebody who is far away from where you live.

You have protection based upon Washington's Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) but the trick is getting jurisdiction over the seller. You don't say where he is.

If he's out of state, you have to have him personally served where he lives to compel him to appear and defend, and so a WA judge can enter a judgment for you.

Consumer protection cases also allow the plaintiff to recover reasonable attorney fees, so attorneys may be interested in your case.

On the other hand, there isn't a great deal of money at issue, so some attorneys just are not going to be interested. Not because they hate you, but because judges often will not compensate them adequately for their efforts.

If you found this deal on line, you could certainly write a review of this seller explaining what happened to you.

Hope this helps you sort it out.

Powell

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Answered on 1/01/07, 11:39 pm


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