Smith v. Rosenthal Toyota, Inc.
Maryland Court of Special Appeals
573 A.2d 418 (1990)
A Rosenthal (defendant) salesperson told James Smith (plaintiff) he could take a new truck home for the weekend, with the purchase to be finalized only if his wife approved, then had him sign several documents -- including a retail installment contract with an integration clause -- describing them merely as a "formality"; when Mrs. Smith did not approve and the Smiths tried to return the truck, Rosenthal refused, and the circuit court granted Rosenthal summary judgment based on the integration clause barring consideration of the salesperson's oral representations.
Whether parol evidence may be used to show that a document was not intended to become an effective contract until a prior condition or event occurred.