McAvoy v. Maxwell

158 N.Y.S. 844

• Court: Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York
• Decided: May 9, 1916
• Status: Published

Opinion

PENDLETON, J.

This is an appeal by defendant from a judgment entered after a trial by the court without a jury. The action is for damages for false and fraudulent representations. Plaintiff purchased a secondhand automobile from defendant, a dealer in such goods, and sues to recover the price paid as his damages.

[1, 2] The trial court found for plaintiff, and the question is whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain the finding. In order to recover, plaintiff was bound to establish false representations as to matters of fact, that they were known to be false, and that plaintiff relied on them to his damage. The only statements claimed to have been made by defendant outside of the advertisement were that he was satisfied to have a man examine the car and that if plaintiff was not satisfied he would refund the money. This latter statement was in the nature of a promise, not a representation of fact, and cannot be a ground of recovery in this action.

As to the other statement there is no evidence that defendant was not willing that an examination should be made, and hence nothing to show the statement was false. So far as the advertisement is concerned, there is no representation therein as to the condition of the car beyond the one that it had been used only part summer. It was known to be a secondhand car and was stated to be sold “as is.” The evidence fails to disclose that any of the statements were false. The advertisement does not use the word self-starter, but the evidence fails to show that it had none. All the witness says is that he did not see it. The testimony, taking the view most favorable to plaintiff, failed to make out a case of false representations.

Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, with $30 costs to appellant to abide the event. All concur.