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Case Analysis : Hot Coffee

Decent Essays

Introduction Hot coffee. Third degree burns. Lawsuits. Who 's to blame? Seventy-nine years old, Stella Liebeck purchased hot coffee at McDonald 's, extremely “hot” coffee, at a temperature well above the expected level brewed at home, on account of a quality assertion that the temperature was best maintained between 180o and 190o. Burning herself extensively, she sued the company, alleging the coffee was too hot, fated to harm someone. The argument presented by McDonald 's was that customers were only purchasing the coffee to drink later when they arrived at home or office, thereby, seeing a decrease in temperature to a more agreeable heat level when finally consumed. Nonetheless, not all customers delay their coffee consumption; …show more content…

Yes, definitely. As a buyer, freedom to choose to purchase is maximized, and adhered to. Likewise, age and maturity deserve respect, no matter the outcome. The important part of respect is that mistakes do happen. There is no shame in making a mistake, admitting it, and continuing on with honour (Brusseau, 2012, p. 617).

Ms. Liebeck, at 79 years young, was fully competent and extremely capable; as a mature, more experienced adult, she would have greater knowledge and perception of coffee temperatures; the choice was hers. It is disrespectful to presume that mental capacity shuts down, or assume infirmity, as we age.

Oxford Reference on more line supplies a definition of an implicit contract as a “an understanding between parties on acceptable forms of behaviour that is not part of any formal agreement” (n.d.). An unwritten, implied understanding, the customer sees the transfer of money, and the acceptance of goods or services, as more than a transaction, more than the action itself. “The transaction is also the creation of the contract” (Brusseau, 2012, p. 618); now there are implied terms and conditions, or requirements, to this agreement.

Within this contract, lies a valid relationship. Neither the buyer nor the seller is under duress; they have not been coerced into this arrangement. They reach a conclusion of their own free will. Information is exchanged, not secret or hidden, both know what they are doing, or

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