ROBERT MELLET ET AL. VS. AQUASID, LLC ET AL.
A-4438-15T1 (NEWLY PUBLISHED OPINION FOR OCT. 16, 2017)
Plaintiffs entered into health club contracts, which charged various forms of fees including late fees, collection administrative fees, in addition to dues. Plaintiffs filed suit asserting the form of their membership contracts and the fees defendant charged violated RISA, the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA), the Health Club Services Act (HCSA), and the Truth in Consumer Contract, Warranty, and Notice Act (TCCWNA). Plaintiffs sought class certification for all persons who entered into a membership agreement with defendant. Plaintiffs were denied class
certification and defendant was granted summary judgment dismissing plaintiffs' complaint.
The Retail Installment Service Act (RISA), N.J.S.A. 17:16C-1(b) to -50, is a remedial act regulating charges associated with contracts entered into in New Jersey between a retail seller and a retail buyer evidencing an agreement to pay the retail purchase price of goods or services, which are primarily for personal, family or household purposes, or any part thereof, in two or more installments over a period of time. RISA applies to security agreements, chattel mortgages, conditional sales contracts, or other similar instruments, and any contract for the bailment or leasing of goods. RISA is to be construed liberally in favor of the consumer. Notwithstanding, the panel concluded health club contracts are not covered by RISA because they do not fall within the definition of "other similar instruments" of the sort contemplated by the statute.
