In re Fleet v. Consumer Council

From wikilawschool.net. Wiki Law School does not provide legal advice. For educational purposes only.
Revision as of 17:39, November 9, 2023 by DeRien (talk | contribs) (DeRien moved page In re Fleet v. United States Consumer Council to In re Fleet v. Consumer Council: shorten)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

In re Fleet v. Consumer Council
Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Citation 95 B.R. 319
Date decided January 11, 1989

Facts

  • United States Consumer Council = "Council" = USCC = defendant = council advising people to avoid bankruptcy
  • The Council collected a fee of about $200 & referred clients to a bankruptcy attorney
  • Mr. Fleet sought assistance from the Council
  • Mr. Fleet = "Fleet" = plaintiff

Procedural History

Fleet & others filed a class-action lawsuit complaining about the fee charged for attorney referrals.

Issues

Is commercial conduct un-conscionable if the price charged is excessive in relation

  • to the seller's costs, &
  • the value is low relative to the price paid?

Arguments

Fleet argued that the Council's referral practice for a fee was unconscionable.

Holding

Yes. Commercial conduct is unconscionable if the price charged is excessive in relation to the seller's costs, & the value is low relative to the price paid.

Resources