In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Financial institution" means any bank or trust company, mutual savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan association organized pursuant to the laws of any one of the United States of America or the United States of America, or the laws of a foreign country if also qualified to conduct business in any one of the United States of America or pursuant to the laws of the United States of America;

(2) "Goods" means all chattels personal when purchased primarily for personal, family, or household use and not for commercial or business use, but not including money or, except as provided in the next sentence, things in action. The term includes but is not limited to merchandise certificates or coupons, issued by a retail seller, to be used in their face amount in lieu of cash in exchange for goods or services sold by such a seller and goods which, at the time of sale or subsequently, are to be so affixed to real property as to become a part thereof, whether or not severable therefrom;

(3) "Lender credit card" means a card or device under a lender credit card agreement pursuant to which the issuer gives to a cardholder residing in this state the privilege of obtaining credit from the issuer or other persons in purchasing or leasing property or services, obtaining loans, or otherwise, and the issuer of which is not: (a) Principally engaged in the business of selling goods; or (b) a financial institution;

(4) "Lender credit card agreement" means an agreement entered into or performed in this state prescribing the terms of retail installment transactions pursuant to which the issuer may, with the buyer's consent, purchase or acquire one or more retail sellers' indebtedness of the buyer under a sales slip or memorandum evidencing the purchase, lease, loan, or otherwise to be paid in accordance with the agreement. The issuer of a lender credit card agreement shall not be principally engaged in the business of selling goods or be a financial institution;

(5) "Official fees" means the amount of the fees prescribed by law and payable to the state, county, or other governmental agency for filing, recording, or otherwise perfecting, and releasing or satisfying, a retained title, lien, or other security interest created by a retail installment transaction;

(6) "Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, association, or any other group, however organized;

(7) "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;

(8) "Rate" means the percentage which, when multiplied times the outstanding balance for each month or other installment period, yields the amount of the service charge for such month or period;

(9) "Retail buyer" or "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;

(10) "Retail charge agreement," "revolving charge agreement," or "charge agreement" means an agreement between a retail buyer and a retail seller that is entered into or performed in this state and that prescribes the terms of retail installment transactions with one or more sellers which may be made thereunder from time to time and under the terms of which a service charge, as defined in this section, is to be computed in relation to the buyer's unpaid balance from time to time;

(11) "Retail installment contract" or "contract" means a contract, other than a retail charge agreement, a lender credit card agreement, or an instrument reflecting a sale made pursuant thereto, entered into or performed in this state for a retail installment transaction. The term "retail installment contract" may include a chattel mortgage, a conditional sale contract, and a contract in the form of a bailment or a lease if the bailee or lessee contracts to pay as compensation for their use a sum substantially equivalent to or in excess of the value of the goods sold and if it is agreed that the bailee or lessee is bound to become, or for no other or a merely nominal consideration, has the option of becoming the owner of the goods upon full compliance with the provisions of the bailment or lease. The term "retail installment contract" does not include: (a) A "consumer lease," heretofore or hereafter entered into, as defined in RCW 63.10.020; (b) a lease which would constitute such "consumer lease" but for the fact that: (i) It was entered into before April 29, 1983; (ii) the lessee was not a natural person; (iii) the lease was not primarily for personal, family, or household purposes; or (iv) the total contractual obligations exceeded twenty-five thousand dollars; or (c) a lease-purchase agreement under chapter 63.19 RCW;

(12) "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;

(13) "Retail seller" or "seller" means a person engaged in the business of selling goods or services to retail buyers;

(14) "Sale price" means the price for which the seller would have sold or furnished to the buyer, and the buyer would have bought or obtained from the seller, the goods or services which are the subject matter of a retail installment transaction. The sale price may include any taxes, registration and vehicle license fees, the cost of a guaranteed asset protection waiver, any vehicle dealer administrative fee, any vehicle dealer documentary service fee, and charges for transferring vehicle titles, delivery, installation, servicing, repairs, alterations, or improvements;

(15) "Service charge" however denominated or expressed, means the amount which is paid or payable for the privilege of purchasing goods or services to be paid for by the buyer in installments over a period of time. It does not include the amount, if any, charged for insurance premiums, delinquency charges, attorneys' fees, court costs, any vehicle dealer administrative fee under RCW 46.68.440(1), any vehicle dealer documentary service fee under RCW 46.70.180(2), or official fees;

(16) "Services" means work, labor, or services of any kind when purchased primarily for personal, family, or household use and not for commercial or business use whether or not furnished in connection with the delivery, installation, servicing, repair, or improvement of goods and includes repairs, alterations, or improvements upon or in connection with real property, but does not include services for which the price charged is required by law to be determined or approved by or to be filed, subject to approval or disapproval, with the United States or any state, or any department, division, agency, officer, or official of either as in the case of transportation services;

(17) "Time balance" means the principal balance plus the service charge.

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.

Application—2009 c 334: See RCW 48.160.900.

Effective date—1997 c 331: See note following RCW 70.168.135.

Short title—1992 c 134: See RCW 63.19.900.

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

Effective date—1972 ex.s. c 47: "This 1972 amendatory act shall take effect on January 1, 1973." [ 1972 ex.s. c 47 s 5.]

Every retail installment contract shall be contained in a single document which shall contain the entire agreement of the parties including any promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness between the parties relating to the transaction, except as provided in RCW 63.14.050, 63.14.060 and 63.14.110: PROVIDED, That where the buyer's obligation to pay the time balance is represented by a promissory note secured by a chattel mortgage, the promissory note may be a separate instrument if the mortgage recites the amount and terms of payment of such note and the promissory note recites that it is secured by a mortgage: PROVIDED FURTHER, That any such promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness executed by the buyer shall not, when assigned or negotiated, cut off as to third parties any right of action or defense which the buyer may have against the seller, and each such promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness shall contain a statement to that effect: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That in a transaction involving the repair, alteration or improvement upon or in connection with real property, the contract may be secured by a mortgage on the real property contained in a separate document. Home improvement retail sales transactions which are financed or insured by the Federal Housing Administration are not subject to this chapter.

The contract shall be dated, signed by the retail buyer and completed as to all essential provisions, except as otherwise provided in RCW 63.14.060 and 63.14.070. The printed or typed portion of the contract, other than instructions for completion, shall be in a size equal to at least eight point type.

The retail seller shall deliver to the retail buyer, at the time the buyer signs the contract, a copy of the contract as signed by the buyer, unless the contract is completed by the buyer in situations covered by RCW 63.14.060, and if the contract is accepted at a later date by the seller, the seller shall mail to the buyer at his or her address shown on the retail installment contract a copy of the contract as accepted by the seller or a copy of the memorandum as required in RCW 63.14.060. Until the seller does so, the buyer shall be obligated to pay only the sale price. Any acknowledgment by the buyer of delivery of a copy of the contract shall be in a size equal to at least ten point bold type and, if contained in the contract, shall appear directly above the buyer's signature.

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

(1) The retail installment contract shall contain the names of the seller and the buyer, the place of business of the seller, the residence or other address of the buyer as specified by the buyer and a description or identification of the goods sold or to be sold, or service furnished or rendered or to be furnished or rendered. The contract also shall contain the following items, which shall be set forth in the sequence appearing below:

(a) The sale price of each item of goods or services;

(b) The amount of the buyer's down payment, if any, identifying the amounts paid in money and allowed for goods traded in;

(c) The difference between items (a) and (b) of this subsection;

(d) The aggregate amount, if any, included for insurance, specifying the type or types of insurance and the terms of coverage;

(e) The aggregate amount of official fees, if any;

(f) The amount, if any, 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;

(g) The principal balance, which is the sum of items (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection;

(h) The dollar amount or rate of the service charge;

(i) The amount of the time balance owed by the buyer to the seller, which is the sum of items (g) and (h) of this subsection, if (h) of this subsection is stated in a dollar amount; and

(j) Except as otherwise provided in the next two sentences, the maximum number of installment payments required and the amount of each installment and the due date of each payment necessary to pay such balance. If installment payments other than the final payment are stated as a series of equal scheduled amounts and if the amount of the final installment payment does not substantially exceed the scheduled amount of each preceding installment payment, the maximum number of payments and the amount and due date of each payment need not be separately stated and the amount of the scheduled final installment payment may be stated as the remaining unpaid balance. The due date of the first installment payment may be fixed by a day or date or may be fixed by reference to the date of the contract or to the time of delivery or installation.

Additional items may be included to explain the calculations involved in determining the balance to be paid by the buyer.

(2) Every retail installment contract shall contain the following notice in ten point boldface type or larger directly above the space reserved in the contract for the signature of the buyer: "NOTICE TO BUYER:

(a) Do not sign this contract before you read it or if any spaces intended for the agreed terms, except as to unavailable information, are blank.

(b) You are entitled to a copy of this contract at the time you sign it.

(c) You may at any time pay off the full unpaid balance due under this contract, and in so doing you may receive a partial rebate of the service charge.

(d) The service charge does not exceed . . . .% (must be filled in) per annum computed monthly.

(e) You may cancel this contract if it is solicited in person, and you sign it, at a place other than the seller's business address shown on the contract, by sending notice of such cancellation by certified mail return receipt requested to the seller at his or her address shown on the contract which notice shall be posted not later than midnight of the third day (excluding Sundays and holidays) following your signing this contract. If you choose to cancel this contract, you must return or make available to the seller at the place of delivery any merchandise, in its original condition, received by you under this contract."

Subsection (2)(e) of this section is effective and needs to be included in the notice only if the contract is solicited in person by the seller or his or her representative, and the buyer signs it, at a place other than the seller's business address shown on the contract, but does not apply to a retail installment contract used for the sale of a motor vehicle by a licensed vehicle dealer.

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

(1) If a retail installment contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle meets the requirements of this chapter and meets the requirements of any federal law applicable to a retail installment contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle, the retail installment contract shall be accepted for consideration by any lender, except for lenders licensed and regulated under the provisions of chapter 31.04 RCW, to whom application for credit relating to the retail installment contract is made.

(2) If a retail installment contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle includes the purchase of a secondary product, a lender who shares common control with a brand owner may not directly or indirectly require, as a condition of acceptance of assignment of the retail installment contract, that the buyer purchase a secondary product from a particular provider, administrator, or insurer. A violation of this subsection is deemed to affect the public interest and constitutes an unlawful and unfair practice under chapter 19.86 RCW.

(3) For the purposes of this section, "secondary product," "common control," and "brand owner" have the same meanings as provided in RCW 46.96.196.

A retail installment contract may be contained in more than one document, provided that one such document shall be an original document signed by the retail buyer, stated to be applicable to purchases of goods or services to be made by the retail buyer from time to time. In such case such document, together with the sales slip, account book or other written statement relating to each purchase, shall set forth all of the information required by RCW 63.14.040 and shall constitute the retail installment contract for each purchase. On each succeeding purchase pursuant to such original document, the sales slip, account book or other written statement may at the option of the seller constitute the memorandum required by RCW 63.14.110.

Retail installment contracts negotiated and entered into by mail or telephone without solicitation in person by salespersons or other representatives of the seller and based upon a catalog of the seller, or other printed solicitation of business, if such catalog or other printed solicitation clearly sets forth the cash sale prices and other terms of sales to be made through such medium, may be made as provided in this section. The provisions of this chapter with respect to retail installment contracts shall be applicable to such sales, except that the retail installment contract, when completed by the buyer need not contain the items required by RCW 63.14.040.

When the contract is received from the retail buyer, the seller shall prepare a written memorandum containing all of the information required by RCW 63.14.040 to be included in a retail installment contract. In lieu of delivering a copy of the contract to the retail buyer as provided in RCW 63.14.030, the seller shall deliver to the buyer a copy of such memorandum prior to the due date of the first installment payable under the contract: PROVIDED, That if the catalog or other printed solicitation does not set forth all of the other terms of sales in addition to the cash sales prices, such memorandum shall be delivered to the buyer prior to or at the time of delivery of the goods or services.

The seller shall not obtain the signature of the buyer to any contract when it contains blank spaces of items which are essential provisions of the transaction except as provided in RCW 63.14.060: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if delivery of the goods is not made at the time of the execution of the contract, the identifying numbers or marks of the goods or similar information and the due date of the first installment may be inserted by the seller in the seller's counterpart of the contract after it has been signed by the buyer.

For the purpose of this section, "periodic time balance" means the unpaid portion of the time balance as of the last day of each month, or other uniform time interval established by the regular consecutive payment period scheduled in a retail installment contract.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any retail installment contract to the contrary, and if the rights of the purchaser have not been terminated or forfeited under the terms of the contract, any buyer may prepay in full the unpaid portion of the time balance thereof at any time before its final due date and, if he or she does so, he or she shall receive a refund credit of the unearned portion of the service charge for such prepayment. The amount of such refund credit shall be computed according to the "rule of seventy-eighths," that is it shall represent at least as great a portion of the original service charge, as the sum of the periodic time balances not yet due bears to the sum of all the periodic time balances under the schedule of payments in the contract: PROVIDED, That where the earned service charge (total service charge minus refund credit) thus computed is less than the following minimum service charge: Fifteen dollars where the principal balance is not in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, twenty-five dollars where the principal balance exceeds two hundred and fifty dollars but is not in excess of five hundred dollars, thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents where the principal balance exceeds five hundred dollars but is not in excess of one thousand dollars, and fifty dollars where the principal balance exceeds one thousand dollars; then such minimum service charge shall be deemed to be the earned service charge: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That where the amount of such refund credit is less than one dollar, no refund credit need be made.

(1) The holder of any retail installment contract, retail charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement may not collect any delinquency or collection charges, including any attorney's fee and court costs and disbursements, unless the contract, charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement so provides. In such cases, the charges shall be reasonable, and no attorney's fee may be recovered unless the contract, charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement is referred for collection to an attorney not a salaried employee of the holder.

(2) The contract, charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement may contain other provisions not inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter, including but not limited to provisions relating to refinancing, transfer of the buyer's equity, construction permits, and title reports.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, where the minimum payment is received within the ten days following the payment due date, delinquency charges for the late payment of a retail charge agreement or lender credit card agreement may not be more than ten percent of the average balance of the delinquent account for the prior thirty-day period when the average balance of the account for the prior thirty-day period is less than one hundred dollars, except that a minimum charge of up to two dollars shall be allowed. This subsection (3) shall not apply in cases where the payment on the account is more than thirty days overdue.

A buyer shall be given a written receipt for any payment when made in cash. Upon written request of the buyer, the holder of a retail installment contract shall give or forward to the buyer a written statement of the dates and amounts of payments and the total amount unpaid under the contract. Such a statement shall be given the buyer once without charge; if any additional statement is requested by the buyer, it shall be supplied by the holder at a charge not in excess of one dollar for each additional statement so supplied.

(1) If, in a retail installment transaction, a retail buyer makes any subsequent purchases of goods or services from a retail seller from whom he or she has previously purchased goods or services under one or more retail installment contracts, and the amounts under such previous contract or contracts have not been fully paid, the subsequent purchases may, at the seller's option, be included in and consolidated with one or more of the previous contracts. All the provisions of this chapter with respect to retail installment contracts shall be applicable to such subsequent purchases except as hereinafter stated in this subsection. In the event of such consolidation, in lieu of the buyer's executing a retail installment contract respecting each subsequent purchase, as provided in this section, it shall be sufficient if the seller shall prepare a written memorandum of each such subsequent purchase, in which case the provisions of RCW 63.14.020, 63.14.030, and 63.14.040 shall not be applicable. Unless previously furnished in writing to the buyer by the seller, by sales slip, memoranda, or otherwise, such memorandum shall set forth with respect to each subsequent purchase items (a) to (h) inclusive of RCW 63.14.040(1), and in addition, if the service charge is stated as a dollar amount, the amount of the time balance owed by the buyer to the seller for the subsequent purchase, the outstanding balance of the previous contract or contracts, the consolidated time balance, and the revised installments applicable to the consolidated time balance, if any, in accordance with RCW 63.14.040. If the service charge is not stated in a dollar amount, in addition to the items (a) to (h) inclusive of RCW 63.14.040(1), the memorandum shall set forth the outstanding balance of the previous contract or contracts, the consolidated outstanding balance, and the revised installments applicable to the consolidated outstanding balance, in accordance with RCW 63.14.040.

The seller shall deliver to the buyer a copy of such memorandum prior to the due date of the first installment of such consolidated contract.

(2) When such subsequent purchases are made, if the seller has retained title or taken a lien or other security interest in any of the goods purchased under any one of the contracts included in the consolidation:

(a) The entire amount of all payments made prior to such subsequent purchases shall be deemed to have been applied on the previous purchases;

(b) The amount of any down payment on the subsequent purchase shall be allocated in its entirety to such subsequent purchase;

(c) Each payment received after the subsequent purchase shall be deemed to be allocated to all of the various time balances in the same proportion or ratio as the original cash sale prices of the various retail installment transactions bear to one another: PROVIDED, That the seller may elect, where the amount of each installment payment is increased in connection with the subsequent purchase, to allocate only the increased amount to the time balance of the subsequent retail installment transaction, and to allocate the amount of each installment payment prior to the increase to the time balance(s) existing at the time of the subsequent purchase.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to cases where such previous and subsequent purchases involve equipment, parts, or other goods attached or affixed to goods previously purchased and not fully paid, or to services in connection therewith rendered by the seller at the buyer's request.

(1) At or prior to the time a retail charge agreement or lender credit card agreement is made the seller shall advise the buyer in writing, on the application form or otherwise, or orally that a service charge will be computed on the outstanding balance for each month (which need not be a calendar month) or other regular period agreed upon, the schedule or rate by which the service charge will be computed, and that the buyer may at any time pay his or her total unpaid balance: PROVIDED, That if this information is given orally, the seller shall, upon approval of the buyer's credit, deliver to the buyer or mail to the buyer's address, a memorandum setting forth this information.

(2) The seller or holder of a retail charge agreement or lender credit card agreement shall promptly supply the buyer with a statement as of the end of each monthly period (which need not be a calendar month) or other regular period agreed upon, in which there is any unpaid balance thereunder, which statement shall set forth the following:

(a) The unpaid balance under the retail charge agreement or lender credit card agreement at the beginning and at the end of the period;

(b) Unless otherwise furnished by the seller to the buyer by sales slip, memorandum, or otherwise, a description or identification of the goods or services purchased during the period, the sale price, and the date of each purchase;

(c) The payments made by the buyer to the seller and any other credits to the buyer during the period;

(d) The amount, if any, of any service charge for such period; and

(e) A legend to the effect that the buyer may at any time pay his or her total unpaid balance.

(3) Every retail charge agreement shall contain the following notice in ten point boldface type or larger directly above the space reserved in the charge agreement for the signature of the buyer: NOTICE TO BUYER:

(a) Do not sign this retail charge agreement before you read it or if any spaces intended for the agreed terms are left blank.

(b) You are entitled to a copy of this charge agreement at the time you sign it.

(c) You may at any time pay off the full unpaid balance under this charge agreement.

(d) You may cancel any purchases made under this charge agreement if the seller or his representative solicited in person such purchase, and you sign an agreement for such purchase, at a place other than the seller's business address shown on the charge agreement, by sending notice of such cancellation by certified mail return receipt requested to the seller at his address shown on the charge agreement, which notice shall be posted not later than midnight of the third day (excluding Sundays and holidays) following your signing of the purchase agreement. If you choose to cancel this purchase, you must return or make available to seller at the place of delivery any merchandise, in its original condition, received by you under this purchase agreement.

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

(1) A retailer shall not print more than the last five digits of the card account number or print the card expiration date on a credit or debit card receipt. This includes all receipts kept by the person or provided to the cardholder.

(2) This section shall apply only to receipts that are electronically printed and shall not apply to transactions in which the:

(a) Sole means of recording the card number is by handwriting or by an imprint or copy of the credit or debit card; or

(b) Retailer processes the transaction electronically but also takes additional manual measures for the purpose of ensuring that the card is not being used fraudulently, including measures the retailer is contractually obligated to take in connection with its acceptance of credit or debit cards.

(3) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Credit card" means a card or device existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services on credit.

(b) "Debit card" means a card or device used to obtain money, property, labor, or services by a transaction that debits a cardholder's account, rather than extending credit.

Effective date—2000 c 163: See RCW 19.200.901.

A lender credit card agreement may not contain any provision for a security interest in real or personal property or fixtures of the buyer to secure payment of performance of the buyer's obligation under the lender credit card agreement.

A retail installment contract entered into on or after July 28, 2019, that includes a live dog or cat as a security interest for the contract is void and unenforceable.

Construction—Additional remedies—Dog or cat ownership contracts—2019 c 340: See notes following RCW 63.10.070.

The service charge shall be inclusive of all charges incident to investigating and making the retail installment contract or charge agreement and for the privilege of making the installment payments thereunder and no other fee, expense or charge whatsoever shall be taken, received, reserved, or contracted therefor from the buyer, except for any vehicle dealer administrative fee under RCW 46.68.440(1) or for any vehicle dealer documentary service fee under RCW 46.70.180(2).

(1) The service charge, in a retail installment contract, shall not exceed the dollar amount or rate agreed to by contract and disclosed under RCW 63.14.040(1)(h).

(2) The service charge in a retail charge agreement, revolving charge agreement, lender credit card agreement, or charge agreement, shall not exceed the schedule or rate agreed to by contract and disclosed under RCW 63.14.120(1). If the service charge so computed is less than one dollar for any month, then one dollar may be charged.

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.

Effective date—1997 c 331: See note following RCW 70.168.135.

Effective date—1987 c 318: "This act shall take effect January 1, 1988." [ 1987 c 318 s 2.]

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

(1) With respect to a retail installment transaction, as defined in *RCW 63.14.010(8), if the court as a matter of law finds the agreement or contract, or any clause in the agreement or contract, to have been unconscionable at the time it was made, the court may refuse to enforce the agreement or contract, may enforce the remainder of the agreement or contract, or may limit the application of any unconscionable clause to avoid an unconscionable result.

(2) If it is claimed or it appears to the court that the agreement or contract, or any clause in the agreement or contract, may be unconscionable, the parties shall be given a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to its setting, purpose, and effect to assist the court in making a determination regarding unconscionability.

(3) For the purpose of this section, a charge or practice expressly permitted by this chapter is not in itself unconscionable.

*Reviser's note: RCW 63.14.010 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (8) to subsection (12).

If the cost of any insurance is included in the retail installment contract, retail charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement:

(1) The contract or agreement shall state the nature, purpose, term, and amount of such insurance, and in connection with the sale of a motor vehicle, the contract shall state that the insurance coverage ordered under the terms of this contract does not include "bodily injury liability," "public liability," and "property damage liability" coverage, where such coverage is in fact not included;

(2) The contract or agreement shall state whether the insurance is to be procured by the buyer or the seller;

(3) The amount, included for such insurance, shall not exceed the premiums chargeable in accordance with the rate fixed for such insurance by the insurer, except where the amount is less than one dollar;

(4) If the insurance is to be procured by the seller or holder, he or she shall, within forty-five days after delivery of the goods or furnishing of the services under the contract, deliver, mail, or cause to be mailed to the buyer, at his or her address as specified in the contract, a notice thereof or a copy of the policy or policies of insurance or a certificate or certificates of the insurance so procured.

(1) A retail seller may sell, transfer, or assign a retail installment contract or charge agreement. After such sale, transfer, or assignment, the retail installment contract or charge agreement remains a retail installment contract or charge agreement.

(2) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to limit any charge made by an assignee of a retail installment contract or charge agreement to the seller-assignor upon the sale, transfer, assignment, or discount of the contract or agreement, notwithstanding retention by the assignee of recourse rights against the seller-assignor and notwithstanding duties retained by the seller-assignor to service delinquencies, perform service or warranty agreements regarding the property which is the subject matter of the assigned or discounted contracts or charge agreements, or to do or perform any other duty with respect to the contract or agreement assigned or the subject matter of such contract or agreement.

No provision of a retail installment contract, retail charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement is valid by which the buyer agrees not to assert against the seller or against an assignee a claim or defense arising out of the sale, or by which the buyer agrees to submit to suit in a county other than the county where the buyer signed the contract or where the buyer resides or has his or her principal place of business.

Any retail installment contract, retail charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement that complies with the disclosure requirements of Title I of the federal consumer protection act (82 Stat. 146, 15 U.S.C. 1601) which is also known as the truth in lending act, as of the date upon which said retail installment contract, revolving charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement is executed, shall be deemed to comply with the disclosure provisions of chapter 63.14 RCW.

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

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.

(1) In addition to any other rights he or she may have, the buyer shall have the right to cancel a retail installment transaction for other than the seller's breach by sending notice of such cancellation to the seller at his or her place of business as set forth in the contract or charge agreement by certified mail, return receipt requested, which shall be posted not later than midnight of the third day (excluding Sundays and holidays) following the date the buyer signs the contract or charge agreement:

(a) If the retail installment transaction was entered into by the buyer and solicited in person or by a commercial telephone solicitation as defined by chapter 20, Laws of 1989 by the seller or his or her representative at a place other than the seller's address, which may be his or her main or branch office, shown on the contract; and

(b) If the buyer returns goods received or makes them available to the seller as provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(2) In the event of cancellation pursuant to this section:

(a) The seller shall, without request, refund to the buyer within ten days after such cancellation all deposits, including any down payment, made under the contract or charge agreement and shall return all goods traded in to the seller on account or in contemplation of the contract less any reasonable costs actually incurred in making ready for sale the goods so traded in;

(b) The seller shall be entitled to reclaim and the buyer shall return or make available to the seller at the place of delivery in its original condition any goods received by the buyer under the contract or charge agreement;

(c) The buyer shall incur no additional liability for such cancellation.

(3) This section does not apply to a retail installment transaction for the purchase of a motor vehicle. If a retail installment sale contract is used for the sale of a vehicle by a motor vehicle dealer at a place other than the dealer's address, the dealer must disclose to the purchaser or lessee in writing that there is no right to cancel the contract under RCW 63.14.154.

Effective date—1989 c 20: See RCW 19.158.901.

The holder of a retail installment contract may, upon agreement with the buyer, extend the scheduled due date or defer a scheduled payment of all or of any part of any installment or installments payable thereunder. No charge shall be made for any such extension or deferment unless a written acknowledgment of such extension or deferment is sent or delivered to the buyer. The holder may charge and contract for the payment of an extension or deferral charge by the buyer and collect and receive the same, but such charge may not exceed those permitted by *RCW 63.14.130 (a), (b), or (c) on the amount of the installment or installments, or part thereof, extended or deferred for the period of extension or deferral. Such period shall not exceed the period from the date when such extended or deferred installment or installments, or part thereof, would have been payable in the absence of such extension or deferral, to the date when such installment or installments, or part thereof, are made payable under the agreement of extension or deferment; except that a minimum charge of one dollar for the period of extension or deferral may be made in any case where the extension or deferral charge, when computed at such rate, amounts to less than one dollar. Such agreement may also provide for the payment by the buyer of the additional cost to the holder of the contract of premiums for continuing in force, until the end of such period of extension or deferral, any insurance coverages provided for in the contract, subject to the provisions of RCW 63.14.140.

*Reviser's note: The reference to RCW 63.14.130 (a), (b), or (c) is erroneous. RCW 63.14.130(1) (a) or (b) is apparently intended. Subsequently, RCW 63.14.130 was amended by 1992 c 193 s 2, changing the subsection numbering.

The holder of a retail installment contract or contracts may, upon agreement in writing with the buyer, refinance the payment of the unpaid time balance or balances of the contract or contracts by providing for a new schedule of installment payments.

The holder may charge and contract for the payment of a refinance charge by the buyer and collect and receive the same but such refinance charge (1) shall be based upon the amount refinanced, plus any additional cost of insurance and of official fees incident to such refinancing, after the deduction of a refund credit in an amount equal to that to which the buyer would have been entitled under RCW 63.14.080 if he or she had prepaid in full his or her obligations under the contract or contracts, but in computing such refund credit there shall not be allowed the minimum earned service charge as authorized by subsection (1)(d) of such section, and (2) may not exceed the rate of service charge provided under RCW 63.14.130. Such agreement for refinancing may also provide for the payment by the buyer of the additional cost to the holder of the contract or contracts of premiums for continuing in force, until the maturity of the contract or contracts as refinanced, any insurance coverages provided for therein, subject to the provisions of RCW 63.14.140.

The refinancing agreement shall set forth the amount of the unpaid time balance or balances to be refinanced, the amount of any refund credit, the amount to be refinanced after the deduction of the refund credit, the amount or rate of the service charge under the refinancing agreement, any additional cost of insurance and of official fees to the buyer, the new unpaid time balance, if the service charge is stated as a dollar amount, and the new schedule of installment payments. Where there is a consolidation of two or more contracts, then the provisions of RCW 63.14.110 shall apply.

Minimum earned service charges: RCW 63.14.080.

In the event a contract provides for the payment of any installment which is more than double the amount of the average of the preceding installments the buyer upon default of this installment, shall be given an absolute right to obtain a new payment schedule. Unless agreed to by the buyer, the periodic payments under the new schedule shall not be substantially greater than the average of the preceding installments. This section shall not apply if the payment schedule is adjusted to the seasonal or irregular income of the buyer or to accommodate the nature of the buyer's employment.

No act or agreement of the retail buyer before or at the time of the making of a retail installment contract, retail charge agreement, lender credit card agreement, or purchases thereunder shall constitute a valid waiver of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any remedies granted to the buyer by law.

A financial institution credit card is a card or device issued under an arrangement pursuant to which the issuing financial institution gives to a cardholder residing in this state the privilege of obtaining credit from the issuer or other persons in purchasing or leasing property or services, obtaining loans, or otherwise, and the issuer of which is not principally engaged in the business of selling goods.

Except as provided in RCW 63.14.167, a financial institution credit card agreement and credit extended pursuant to it is not subject to the provisions of this chapter but shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 19.52 RCW.

Application, saving—1981 c 77: See RCW 63.14.903.

(1) Pursuant to a lender credit card or financial institution credit card transaction in which a credit card has been used to obtain credit, the seller is a person other than the card issuer, and the seller accepts or allows a return of goods or forgiveness of a debit for services that were the subject of the sale, credit shall be applied to the obligor's account as provided by this section.

(2) Within seven working days after a transaction in which an obligor becomes entitled to credit, the seller shall transmit a statement to the card issuer through the normal channels established by the card issuer for the transmittal of such statements. The credit card issuer shall credit the obligor's account within three working days following receipt of a credit statement from the seller.

(3) The obligor is not responsible for payment of any service charges resulting from the seller's or card issuer's failure to comply with subsection (2) of this section.

(4) An issuer issuing a lender credit card or financial institution credit card shall mail or deliver a notice of the provisions of this section at least once per calendar year, at intervals of not less than six months nor more than eighteen months, either to all cardholders or to each cardholder entitled to receive a periodic statement for any one billing cycle. The notice shall state that the obligor is not responsible for payment of any service charges resulting from the seller's or card issuer's failure to comply with subsection (2) of this section.

Severability—1989 c 11: See note following RCW 9A.56.220.

Any person who shall wilfully and intentionally violate any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Violation of any order or injunction issued pursuant to this chapter shall constitute prima facie proof of a violation of this section.

No person may pursue any remedy alleging a violation of this chapter on the basis of any act or omission that does not constitute a violation of this chapter as amended by chapter 5, Laws of 1993 sp. sess. For purposes of this section, the phrase "pursue any remedy" includes pleading a defense, asserting a counterclaim or right of offset or recoupment, commencing, maintaining, or continuing any legal action, or pursuing or defending any appeal.

Any person who enters into a retail installment contract, charge agreement, or lender credit card agreement that does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or who violates any provision of this chapter except as a result of an accidental or bona fide error shall be barred from the recovery of any service charge, official fees, or any delinquency or collection charge under or in connection with the related retail installment contract or purchases under a retail charge agreement or lender credit card agreement; but such person may nevertheless recover from the buyer an amount equal to the cash price of the goods or services and the cost to such person of any insurance included in the transaction: PROVIDED, That if the service charge is in excess of that allowed by RCW 63.14.130, except as the result of an accidental or bona fide error, the buyer shall be entitled to an amount equal to the total of (1) twice the amount of the service charge paid, and (2) the amount of the service charge contracted for and not paid, plus (3) costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The reduction in the cash price by the application of the above sentence shall be applied to diminish pro rata each future installment of principal amount payable under the terms of the contract or agreement.

The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney may bring an action in the name of the state against any person to restrain and prevent any violation of this chapter.

In the enforcement of this chapter, the attorney general may accept an assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice deemed in violation of this chapter, from any person engaging in, or who has engaged in, such act or practice. Any such assurance shall be in writing and be filed with and subject to the approval of the superior court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has his or her principal place of business, or in Thurston county. Failure to perform the terms of any such assurance shall constitute prima facie proof of a violation of this chapter for the purpose of securing any injunction as provided in RCW 63.14.190 and for the purpose of RCW 63.14.180 hereof: PROVIDED, That after commencement of any action by a prosecuting attorney, as provided herein, the attorney general may not accept an assurance of discontinuance without the consent of the prosecuting attorney.

Any person who violates any order or injunction issued pursuant to this chapter shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars. For the purpose of this section the superior court issuing any injunction shall retain jurisdiction, and the cause shall be continued, and in such cases the attorney general acting in the name of the state may petition for the recovery of civil penalties.

A retail installment transaction entered into on or after July 23, 2023, for the purchase of a dog or cat is void and unenforceable and the retail seller shall have no right to collect, receive, or retain any principal, interest, or charges related to the retail installment transaction.

This act applies only to loans, forbearances, or transactions which are entered into after May 8, 1981, or to existing loans, forbearances, contracts, or agreements which were not primarily for personal, family, or household use in which there is an addition to the principal amount of the credit outstanding after May 8, 1981.

The provisions of this chapter shall not invalidate or make unlawful retail installment contracts or retail charge agreements executed prior to the effective date hereof.

This chapter shall take effect October 1, 1963.

This 1967 amendatory act shall take effect on January 1, 1968. Nothing in this 1967 amendatory act shall be construed to affect the validity of any agreement or contractual relationship entered into prior to such date, except that the rate of any service charge computed periodically on the outstanding balance in excess of that allowed by this 1967 amendatory act shall be reduced to a permissible rate on or before January 1, 1968.

This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [May 28, 1993].

This act applies prospectively only and not retroactively. It applies only to retail installment transactions entered into on or after May 5, 1995.

The repeals in section 1, chapter 249, Laws of 1995 shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the statutes repealed or under any rule or order adopted pursuant to those statutes; nor as affecting any proceeding instituted under them.

This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [May 5, 1995].