Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co.

Williams (plaintiff) was a single mother of seven living on a $218 monthly government stipend. Over several years she bought fourteen items from Walker-Thomas Furniture Co. (defendant) on installment plans. Each contract contained fine print prorating every payment across all outstanding purchases, so Williams never gained title to anything until her entire balance was paid off. After reducing her balance to $164, she bought a $514 stereo, and her contract listed her social worker's name and her stipend amount. When she defaulted, Walker sought to repossess everything she had bought. Williams testified she never read the contracts. The trial court entered judgment for Walker, and Williams appealed.

Whether a person who signs a contract has a duty to read it or have it explained, such that she cannot later avoid its terms even where the other party's conduct is reprehensible.