Vokes v. Arthur Murray, Inc.

Vokes (plaintiff) was induced by flattering compliments about her dancing skill from a dance-studio owner (defendants) to buy an initial lesson package, then, over about a year, purchased fourteen more courses totaling over $31,000, allegedly based on continued false representations about her rapid progress and dancing prowess. She sued for fraud; the defendants argued their statements were mere opinion or puffing.

Whether a party's statement of opinion may constitute actionable misrepresentation where that party has superior knowledge of the truth or falsity of the statement.