LOUISIANA LEGAL SERVICES AND PRO BONO DESK MANUAL 2013

REPRESENTING THE CONSUMER
2.2.5. Unfair trade practices
A practice is “unfair” when it offends established public policy and when the
practice is immoral, unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous or substantially injurious
to consumers. 19
2.2.6. Deceptive trade practices
A practice is “deceptive” if it has a tendency or capacity to deceive even a
significant minority of consumers. 20 Fraud, deceit or misrepresentations constitute
“deceptive” trade practices. 21 It is not necessary to prove the seller’s intent or scienter
(knowledge of the falsity), nor the consumer’s actual reliance or actual
deception. The essential issue is whether the consumer was misled by the seller’s
statements or actions.
2.2.7. Examples of unfair or deceptive trade practices
a. Failure to notify borrower of decreasing nature of credit life insurance.
Marshall v. Citicorp Mortgage, Inc., 601 So.2d 669 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1992).
b. Contracts or contract terms that are unlawful, unfair, deceptive or
unconscionable. La. R.S. 51: 1403; La. Atty. Gen. Op. 81-201 (11/2/81);
Marshall v. Citicorp Mortgage, Inc., 601 So.2d 669 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1992).
c. Forum selection clauses for plaintiff actions. La. R.S. 51: 1407; Barrett
Auto Brokers, Inc. v. Dealer Services Corp., 48 So.3d 322 (La. App. 2 Cir.
2010), writ denied 51 So.3d 734 (La. 2010).
d. Unnecessary repairs. Crown Buick, Inc. v. Bercier, 483 So.2d 1310 (La.
App. 4 Cir. 1986).
e. Retention of vehicle for unauthorized repairs. Slayton v. Davis, 901 So.2d
1246 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2005); Johnson Const. Co., Inc. v. Shaffer, 2012 WL
638058 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2012).
f. Retention of “trade in” car after car dealership was unable to obtain
financing at agreed upon terms for car to be purchased. McFadden v.
Import One, Inc., 56 So.3d 1212 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2011).
g. Wrongful seizure. Bryant v. Sears Consumer Financial Corp., 617 So.2d
1191 (La. App. 3 Cir. 1993) writ denied 619 So.2d 533 (La. 1993).
h. Self-help repossession of vehicle without judicial process. Tyler v. Rapid
Cash, L.L.C., 930 So.2d 1135, 1141 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2006).
i. Repossession without buyer’s consent. Jones v. Petty, 577 So.2d 821 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 1991).
j. Overcharges and failure to make requested repairs. Joseph v. Hendrix,
536 So.2d 448 (La. App. 1 Cir. 1988).
k. Failure to disclose reason for auto paint variation. Vercher v. Ford Motor
Co., 527 So.2d 995 (La. App. 3 Cir. 1988).
l. Failure to disclose source of auto engine. Gour v. Daray Motor Co., Inc.,
373 So.2d 571 (La. App. 3 Cir. 1979).
19
Cheramie Services, Inc. v. Shell Deepwater Production, Inc., 35 So.3d 1053, 1059 (La. 2010); McFadden v. Import One,
Inc., 56 So.3d 1212 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2011); Risk Management Services, L.L.C. v. Moss, 40 So.3d 176, 184-85 (La. App.
5 Cir. 2010) writ denied 44 So.3d 683 (La. 2010).
20
FTC v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., 380 U.S. 374 (1965).
21
Risk Management Services, L.L.C. v. Moss, 40 So.3d 176, 185 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2010) writ denied 44 So.3d 683 (La.
2010).
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