Scenario 3 - Warranties

Devon, a tractor technician, needs to install a 3000-pound piece of equipment in his shop. This will require lifting the equipment thirty feet up into a loft area. Devon goes to Rowe's Hardware and tells the department manager that he needs some heavy-duty chain to be used in his tractor repair shop. The manager recommends an alloy steel chain hoist and some alloy steel chain. Devon purchases the materials and attempts to hoist the machine up into the loft. The chain breaks and the equipment crashes to the ground and is severely damaged. Devon files a suit against Rowe's Hardware for breach of warranty.

• What type of warranty did Devon have?
• Discuss the arguments for Devon and the hardware store concerning the type of warranty involved.
• Which party will win the lawsuit and why?