The seller, holder, or buyer may bring an action for declaratory judgment to establish whether service charges contracted for or received in connection with a retail installment transaction are in excess of those allowed by chapter 234, Laws of 1967. Such an action shall be brought against the current holder or against the buyer or his or her successor in interest or, if the entire principal balance has been fully paid, by the buyer or his or her successor in interest against the holder to whom the final payment was made. No such action shall be commenced after six months following the date the final payment becomes due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, nor after six months following the date the principal balance is fully paid, whichever first occurs. If the buyer commences such an action and fails to establish that the service charge is in excess of that allowed by RCW 63.14.130, and if the court finds the action was frivolously commenced, the defendant or defendants may, in the court’s discretion, recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the buyer.

Terms Used In Washington Code 63.14.152

  • buyer: means a person who buys or agrees to buy goods or obtain services or agrees to have services rendered or furnished, from a retail seller;
Washington Code 63.14.010
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Principal balance: means the sale price of the goods or services which are the subject matter of a retail installment contract less the amount of the buyer's down payment in money or goods or both, plus the amounts, if any, included therein, if a separate identified charge is made therefor and stated in the contract, for insurance, any vehicle dealer administrative fee, any vehicle dealer documentary service fee, and official fees; and the amount actually paid or to be paid by the retail seller pursuant to an agreement with the buyer to discharge a security interest or lien on like-kind goods traded in or lease interest in the circumstance of a lease for like goods being terminated in conjunction with the sale pursuant to a retail installment contract;
    • Washington Code 63.14.010
  • Retail installment transaction: means any transaction in which a retail buyer purchases goods or services from a retail seller pursuant to a retail installment contract, a retail charge agreement, or a lender credit card agreement, as defined in this section, which provides for a service charge, as defined in this section, and under which the buyer agrees to pay the unpaid principal balance in one or more installments or which provides for no service charge and under which the buyer agrees to pay the unpaid balance in more than four installments;
    • Washington Code 63.14.010
  • seller: means a person engaged in the business of selling goods or services to retail buyers;
    • Washington Code 63.14.010
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