Sanchez v. Courtesy Oldsmobile Cadillac, Inc.
Plaintiffs Leonard and Susan Sanchez (plaintiffs) signed a contract with defendant Courtesy Oldsmobile Cadillac, Inc. (defendant) to lease a truck for use in plaintiffs air conditioning and heating business. Defendant hired a third-party, Stahl/Scott Fetzer Company (Stahl), to install a 12-foot stake bed on the truck. When Stahl was unable to attach a 12-foot stake bed to the subject vehicle, it requested authorization from defendant to install a 14-foot bed instead. Defendants salesman allegedly contacted plaintiff, Mr. Sanchez, and obtained oral approval for the installation of a 14-foot truck bed. However, Mr. Sanchez denied that such approval was ever given, and he stressed that a truck with a 14-foot bed would be too long for his secure garage. After the truck was completed with a 14-foot bed and experienced electrical problems during a test drive, plaintiffs gave written notice of rescission to defendant. Plaintiffs continued to make payments under the lease to protect their good credit. The case was tried by the court on a rescission cause of action only and after a three-day trial, the matter was taken under submission. Sometime later, without any explanation and without issuing a tentative decision or statement of decision, the trial court simply entered judgment in favor of defendant. Plaintiffs now appeal, contending the trial court erred in entering judgment without rendering a tentative decision or statement of decision. Court agree, and reverse with instructions that the trial court comply with this statutory process by issuing a proper statement of decision.
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