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CHAPTERASSESSMENTAcquiring and Evaluating InformationConsumers face a risk when buying a computer.Consumer Reports recently conducted a surveyof 54,000 readers who reported that 11 percentof computers they purchased had seriousproblems within the first month of ownership.Recently, Pennsylvania’s state legislatureconsidered the nation’s first PC lemon law.The law was based on the automobile lemonlaw. Computer trade groups believe thatconsumers already have protection under theMagnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Conductresearch on the PC lemon laws and answerthe following questions:15. Has your state passed a PC lemon law?16. Does the Magnuson-Moss Act have anyloopholes? What can you do to protectyourself against a lemon PC?Report your findings in a one-page paper.WarrantiesJulia and Franco live in California and recentlypurchased new furniture for their living room.They ordered it from an outlet located in NorthCarolina. When the furniture arrived, the fabricon the couch was ripped. Obviously, Julia andFranco were disappointed. However, when theycontacted the furniture outlet, they were toldthat a repairperson would come the next dayto fix the furniture. Julia and Franco want itreplaced, not fixed.Debate17. What are the legal issues involved?18. Do Julia and Franco have an impliedwarranty from the furniture outlet?19. Does the warranty of merchantability coverthe furniture?20. Can the furniture outlet legally repair thefurniture instead of replacing it?For the following cases, give your decision andstate a legal principle that applies.21. Neal Sanborn buys a used car from aprivate party. While he is driving to workthe next day, the car breaks down. Neallearns that the car needs major repairs. Heclaims breach of the warranty ofmerchantability. Is this claim correct?22. Allison Rantz orders a sports jacket froma store catalog. The jacket she receives isdifferent from the one pictured in thecatalog. On what legal grounds may sheobtain relief from the store?23. Ursula Hurkin, who knows little aboutfurnaces, tells the proprietor of the HollandHeating Supply Co. that she wants a furnaceto heat her new building. The supply companymeasures the building and selects afurnace. After installation, Ursula discoversthe furnace is too small and does not adequatelyheat the building. On what legalgrounds may she obtain relief?24. Jennifer Harrington purchases a new televisionat a discount store. The following isprinted on the sales slip: “THE WARRANTYOF MERCHANTABILITY IS HEREBYEXCLUDED.” Jennifer takes the televisionhome, unpacks it, and turns it on. It doesnot work. A written limited warranty fromthe manufacturer is packed in the box.Does Jennifer have a claim against themanufacturer for breach of warranty ofmerchantability? Explain your answer.312 Unit 3: Understanding Consumer Law