Kinerd v. Colonial Leasing Co.
Kinerd v. Colonial Leasing Co.
Opinion of the Court
OPINION ON REHEARING
We grant the motion for rehearing, withdraw our prior opinion and judgment, and substitute the following.
This case involves an action for damages under both the usury statutes, Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. arts. 5069-1.01 to -1.12 (Vernon 1987), and the Deceptive Trade Practices — Consumer Protection Act, Tex.Bus. & Com.Code Ann. §§ 17.41-63 (Vernon 1987) (the “DTPA”). After a jury trial, the trial court rendered judgment for the plaintiff awarding separate damages for each theory of recovery. The court of appeals reversed and rendered judgment that the plaintiff take nothing. 733 S.W.2d 671 (1987). We hold that there is evidence to support plaintiff’s recovery under both the DTPA and the usury statutes. Therefore, we reverse the judgment of the court of appeals, render judgment for Kinerd in part and remand in part to that court for further proceedings.
Facts
After a personal inspection, Mike Kinerd decided to purchase some radiator repair equipment manufactured by Radiator Aid, Inc. Radiator Aid told Kinerd that he could buy the unit directly from it for cash or from Colonial Leasing Company under an arrangement involving payments over time. Kinerd decided to make the purchase from Colonial. After Radiator Aid sold the equipment to Colonial for $10,000, Colonial entered into an agreement entitled “Lease” with Kinerd.
Under the terms of this agreement, Kin-erd was obligated to make sixty monthly payments of $268.40 each plus tax,
In time, Kinerd became dissatisfied with the equipment. After making over half the monthly payments totalling $9,353.41 to Colonial, Kinerd brought suit against both Radiator Aid and Colonial. He alleged vio
Radiator Aid failed to appear, and Kinerd took a default judgment against it. Kin-erd’s claims against Colonial were tried to a jury which found both DTPA and usury violations. The trial court rendered judgment for Kinerd on the jury’s verdict, and Colonial appealed. The court of appeals reversed the judgment of the trial court, holding that there was no evidence to sustain the jury’s findings under either theory. 733 S.W.2d at 674-75. Kinerd appeals that judgment.
Usury
Article 5069 controls the amount of interest lenders may legally charge in this state. The statute is divided into three subtitles. The first deals with loans and contains general provisions and definitions on interest. Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. arts. 5069-1.01 to -1.12 (Subtitle One — Interest). The remaining two subtitles pertain to the regulation of consumer loans, certain kinds of credit sales and. consumer protection. Id. arts. 5069-2.01 to -8.06 (Subtitle Two— Consumer Credit) and arts. 5069-9.01 to -51.17 (Subtitle Three — Consumer Protection).
The court of appeals did not discuss Kin-erd’s judgment for usury penalties except to hold that the transaction was not a retail installment sale subject to regulation under Subtitle Two — Consumer Credit. 733 S.W.2d at 674. While we agree with this conclusion,
The issue then is whether Colonial’s sale of the equipment to Kinerd was a credit sale for a time price differential. If it was, the transaction does not involve interest and cannot be considered usurious. This follows from the statutory definitions of “usury” and “interest.” Usury is defined as “interest in excess of the amount allowed by law,” and interest is defined to exclude “any time price differential however denominated arising out of a credit sale.” Id. art. 5069-1.01(a), (d).
Although article 5069 recognizes the time price differential, it did not create this exception to the usury laws. Id. art. 5069-1.01(a); see also Sheehan & Smyer The Texas Consumer Credit Code in 2 CREDITORS Rights in Texas § 23.92 at 1074 (2d Ed. 1981). Time price differential is a judicial doctrine that we can trace to the English common law. Beete v. Bidgood, 7 B. & C. 453, 108 Eng.Rep. 792 (1827); Floyer v. Edwards, 1 Cowp. 112, 98 Eng. Rep. 995 (1774); see also Hogg v. Ruffner, 66 U.S. (1 Black) 115, 118-19, 17 L.Ed. 38 (1861). Under the time price doctrine, if certain requirements are met and the transaction is not designed to circumvent the usury laws, a merchant may sell merchandise at a higher price for credit than for cash and the price difference is not subject
Application of the time price doctrine requires proof of three elements:
1. The seller clearly offered to sell the goods for both a cash price and a credit or time price;
2. The purchaser was aware of the two offers; and
3. The purchaser knowingly chose the higher time price.
Rattan, 131 S.W.2d at 399-400; Commercial Credit Equip. Corp. v. West, 677 S.W.2d 669, 675 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 1984, writ ref’d n.r.e.); Weis v. Taylor, 613 S.W.2d 332, 334 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1981, writ ref d n.r.e.). Furthermore, even when these elements are met, if a party presents evidence indicating that the transaction is actually a device to avoid the usury laws, a question of fact is raised for the jury. See Butler v. Holt Mach. Co., 741 S.W.2d 169, 173 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1987, writ denied) (noting that a transaction designed to circumvent the usury laws “is not saved by any attempted difference between a claimed ‘cash’ price and a claimed ‘credit’ price”). Following an instruction that correctly defined a time price differential, the jury was asked if Colonial’s mark up or profit on the resale of the equipment to Kinerd was a time price differential.
The record strongly indicates that Colonial’s role in this transaction was simply to finance Kinerd’s purchase of the equipment. Radiator Aid advised Kinerd that he could purchase the equipment on credit, but that this transaction would be through Colonial. Although Radiator Aid offered Kinerd a cash price, no evidence indicated that Colonial ever offered to sell the equipment for cash; hence, Colonial cannot establish as a matter of law that its sale of the equipment to Kinerd was for credit under a time price differential.
In addition to rejecting time price differential, the jury further determined that the transaction was “a device for accomplishing a loan.” The jury found the principal of this loan to be $10,000. The jury further found that, including taxes and other charges, Kinerd promised to pay Colonial $16,909.20 for the equipment.
Applying these findings to the terms of the “lease” agreement, we calculate that the agreement between Colonial and Kinerd incorporated a rate of interest in excess of twenty per cent per annum.
Deceptive Trade Practices Act
The court of appeals also reversed the DTPA judgment against Colonial, holding that Colonial was not responsible for the actions or misrepresentations of Radiator Aid. Kinerd argues, however, that Colonial is liable under section 17.50 of the DTPA for its own conduct in grossly overcharging Kinerd, thereby engaging in an unconscionable action or course of action. See Tex.Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 17.50(a)(3). The court of appeals did not discuss this point.
The jury found that Colonial sold the equipment to Kinerd for $10,000.00, while the actual value of the goods received was only $2,000, and that Colonial had “greatly overcharged Mike Kinerd in the transaction in question.” The jury also found that such action was unconscionable. There is some evidence to support these findings. The uncontroverted testimony of Kinerd, a lifelong mechanic and service station operator, was that the equipment provided was obsolete and had a value of only $2,000.
Colonial argues, however, that it was inconsistent for the jury to find that Colonial both financed the sale of the equipment and greatly overcharged Kinerd in the sale. Colonial submits that if its purchase of the equipment is interpreted to be a financing arrangement for Kinerd, then Kinerd has received full value from Colonial, i.e., $10,000, because that is what Colonial paid Radiator Aid for the equipment.
Colonial’s argument might have merit if it had acted only as a lender in this transaction. Colonial, however, also sold the equipment to Kinerd. Radiator Aid may have greatly overcharged Colonial in the first sale of the equipment, but such fact does not diminish the jury’s finding that Colonial in turn greatly overcharged Kinerd when it resold the equipment. The court instructed the jury that Colonial was the seller of the equipment,
Colonial, however, also argued in the court of appeals that the evidence was factually insufficient to support a finding that it had engaged in an unconscionable action or course of action. As noted, the court of appeals reversed the DTPA judgment without addressing these findings. Because we lack jurisdiction over this question, we must remand to the court of appeals for it to consider the factual sufficiency of the evidence. Putnam v. Missouri Valley, Inc., 616 S.W.2d 930, 931 (Tex. 1981).
Judgment
We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals. The judgment of the trial court,
For Colonial’s usury violation, Kin-erd is entitled to (1) $10,067.31, being three times the usurious interest of $3,355.77 ($6,104.00 — $2,748.23), and (2) $9,000 in attorney’s fees awarded by the trial court. See Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. art. 5069-1.-06(1). Additionally, because the rate of interest provided in the agreement between Colonial and Kinerd was more than double the maximum rate of interest allowed for written contracts at that time, Colonial must forfeit, as an additional penalty, “all principal as well as interest and all other charges.” Id. art. 5069-1.06(2). Kinerd therefore is entitled to a refund of the $9,353.41 collected by Colonial under the “lease” and to cancellation of his debt under that agreement. We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals on Kinerd’s usury claim, cancel Kinerd’s remaining obligations under this transaction and render judgment for him in the amount of $28,-420.72.
Subject to our remand to the court of appeals, we also calculate the damages due Kinerd under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Kinerd’s actual damages are $9,500 — Kinerd’s out-of-pocket expenses of $1,500, as found by the jury, plus the $8,000 difference between the value of the equipment as represented, $10,000, and the value of the equipment as received, $2,000. At the time of this sale, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act authorized the recovery of treble damages. Deceptive Trade Practices — Consumer Protection Act, ch. 143, § 1, 1973 Tex.Gen.Laws 322, 327, amended by Act of Aug. 27, 1979, ch. 603, § 4, 1979 Tex.Gen.Laws 1327, 1330. Therefore, under the version of the DTPA then applicable, Kinerd is entitled to $46,-500, which includes trebled damages of $28,500, plus the attorney’s fees awarded by the trial court under the DTPA of $18,-000. Because the factual sufficiency of the evidence remains for decision by the court of appeals, however, this recovery is subject to our remand.
We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and render judgment for Kinerd on his claim of usury, but remand the cause to the court of appeals for consideration of the remaining DTPA issue. If that court holds that sufficient evidence exists to support the verdict, Kinerd should also be awarded DTPA damages.
. Sales tax of five percent on $16,104 was added to the "lease.” Kinerd was required to pay this tax to Colonial in sixty equal installments over the five year term of the agreement.
. The court of appeals notes that the agreement between Colonial and Kinerd was executed in another state and hence was not subject to the provisions of chapter six of Subtitle Two — Consumer Credit. See Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. art. 5069-6.01(f). Additionally, this chapter does not apply because the goods sold by Colonial to Kinerd were for commercial purposes, see id. art. 5069-6.012(a), and Colonial did not meet the definition of a retail seller under this chapter, see id. art. 5069-6.01(d).
. See, e.g., Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. arts. 5069-6.-01(h) (retail installment sales) and 5069-7.01(i) (motor vehicle installment sales).
. Jury Question 16 provided:
Do you find from a preponderance of the evidence that the difference between what Colonial-Pacific paid for the equipment and what Colonial-Pacific charged Plaintiff was a time-price differential?
You are instructed that a "time-price differential" arises when a seller offers a purchaser one specific price for cash and another higher price for payments over time, and the purchaser is aware of the two offers and the purchaser knowingly chooses the higher "time price.”
. The lease provided for the payment of sixty monthly installments of $268.40, excluding taxes. Amortizing a principal of $10,000 over this payment schedule yields an interest rate of 20.62%.
. Article 5069-1.04 of the Revised Civil Statutes formerly provided:
The parties to any written contract may agree to and stipulate for any rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on the amount of the contract; and all other written contracts whatsoever, except those otherwise authorized by law, which may in any way, directly or indirectly, provide for a greater rate of interest shall be subject to the appropriate penalties prescribed in this Subtitle.
Interest — Consumer Credit and Consumer Protection, ch. 274, § 2, 1967 Tex.Gen.Laws 609, amended by Act of May 8, 1981, ch. Ill, § 5, 1981 Tex.Gen.Laws 271, 274-80.
. Without objection, the trial court instructed the jury that "although the agreement between Mike Kinerd and Colonial Pacific signed by Mike Kinerd on March 23, 1979, is called a lease, the transaction is actually a sale and the instrument is a security agreement, securing a sale of goods from Colonial Pacific to Mike Kinerd".
Concurring in Part
concurring and dissenting.
I agree with the court that there is some evidence to support a judgment for Kinerd under the DTPA. However, I disagree with the court that the record before us supports a recovery under both the DTPA and usury statutes. For these reasons, I concur in part and dissent in part.
Kinerd complains that the court of appeals erred in holding that there is no evidence that Colonial committed usury. 733 S.W.2d at 674. He asserts that his agreement with Colonial was a “finance lease,” or, in essence, a loan of $10,000.00, which is the price that Colonial paid Radiator Aid for the equipment. Kinerd also characterizes the amount of Colonial’s anticipated profits, $6,908.20, as interest on the loaned amount.
In my opinion, the transaction in question is not subject to the usury laws for at least two reasons. First, the agreement was a sale. The trial court even instructed the jury, without objection, that the transaction was a sale.
Because the transaction was a sale, it was incumbent on Kinerd to show that credit was extended. A loan of money is an essential element of any usurious transaction. Holley v. Watts, 629 S.W.2d 694, 696 (Tex. 1982).
Kinerd points to the jury finding set out in footnote number 3. There is no evidence in the record to support this finding. Pursuant to the parties’ agreement, Kinerd promised to make 60 payments of “$268.40 + 5% Texas [sales] Tax .of $13.42 for a total of $281.82.” All that the agreement shows is that the total consideration for the equipment was $16,909.20. The transaction in question says nothing about principal, interest or any kind of financing charge. The agreement itself is not evidence of a loan of money.
Nor do the circumstances surrounding the transaction show a loan of money. Colonial sold radiator equipment to Kinerd; it did not extend money to Kinerd so that he could then make that purchase. There is nothing in the record about any discussions between Kinerd and Colonial regarding the nature of this transaction. All discussion regarding the transaction took place between Kinerd and Radiator Aid. Even if Colonial had offered Kinerd the property for a cash price of $10,000.00, which it did not, the charges would merely be an exercise of time-price differential, which is not usurious. Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat. art. 5069-1.-01(a). There is no evidence that this transaction was a loan.
Second, even if this transaction can be characterized as a loan, there is no evidence of how much was loaned (principal to be repaid) and at what interest rate.
For these reasons, I would affirm the judgment of the court of appeals as to usury and reverse and remand the DTPA portion of the judgment to the court of appeals for a sufficiency of the evidence review.
. In essence, Kinerd asserts that this was a schizophrenic transaction. To support his claim for usury, he contends that the transaction was a loan of $10,000. On the other hand, to support his DTPA claim Kinerd characterizes the transaction as a sale of goods.
. The jury instruction was as follows: "You are instructed that although the agreement between
. The DTPA damages awarded by the trial court are based upon the jury’s finding that Kinerd promised to pay Colonial $16,909.20 for the radiator equipment. In computing Kinerd’s DTPA damages, the trial court treated the entire amount ($16,909.20) as the consideration paid. If the entire amount is "consideration paid,” then, by definition, Kinerd paid no usurious interest.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Mike KINERD, Petitioner, v. COLONIAL LEASING COMPANY, a Corporation, D/B/A Colonial Pacific Leasing Co., Respondent
- Cited By
- 8 cases
- Status
- Published