Csiza v. CarMax Auto Super Stores CA4/1 (2015) · DecisionDepot
Csiza v. CarMax Auto Super Stores CA4/1
California Court of Appeal Jul 21, 2015 No. D065916Unpublished
Filed 7/21/15 Csiza v. CarMax Auto Super Stores CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
VERONICA CSIZA, D065916
Plaintiff and Appellant,
v. (Super. Ct. No. 37-2013-00029104- CU-BC-CTL) CARMAX AUTO SUPERSTORES CALIFORNIA, LLC,
Defendant and Respondent.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Joel L.
Pressman, Judge. Affirmed.
Rosner, Barry & Babbitt, Hallen D. Rosner and Joshua C. Anaya for Plaintiff and
Appellant.
Schlichter & Shonack, Kurt A. Schlichter, Steven C. Shonack and Jamie L.
Keeton for Defendant and Respondent.
Plaintiff Veronica Csiza appeals from a summary judgment in favor of defendant
CarMax Auto Superstores California, LLC (CarMax). In this appeal, we are asked to
determine whether CarMax complied with certain statutory requirements in certifying
one of its used cars prior to sale and in repurchasing the vehicle when Csiza, its customer,
made a demand for correction or remedy of mechanical difficulties based on the warranty
CarMax provided at the time of sale.
In her complaint, Csiza asserts four causes of action: (1) violation of the Song-
(2) violation of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA; Civ. Code, § 1750 et seq.);
(3) violation of California's unfair competition law (UCL; Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17200 et
seq.); and (4) common law fraud and deceit. Following discovery, CarMax brought a
successful motion for summary judgment.
On appeal, Csiza's principal contention is that, because there are triable issues of
fact regarding whether CarMax provided Csiza with "a completed inspection report
indicating all the components inspected" as required by Vehicle Code section 11713.18,
subdivision (a)(6) (section 11713.18(a)(6)), the court erred in granting summary
judgment. Reviewing the matter de novo, we conclude that, based on the standards in
summary judgment proceedings, CarMax met its initial burden of establishing
compliance with section 11713.18(a)(6), and Csiza then did not meet her responsive
burden of establishing a material issue of fact. We further conclude that the other
2
grounds asserted by Csiza for relief on appeal do not establish reversible error.
Accordingly, we will affirm the judgment in favor of CarMax.1
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
" 'Because this case comes before us after the trial court granted a motion for
summary judgment, we take the facts from the record that was before the trial court when
it ruled on that motion.' " (Wilson v. 21 Century Ins. Co. (2007) 42 Cal.4th 713, 716-717-
718.) We consider all the evidence in the moving and opposing papers, except that to
which objections were made and sustained, liberally construing Csiza's evidence and
resolving any doubts in the evidence in her favor. (Id. at p. 717; Code Civ. Proc., § 437c,
subd. (c).)
A. Csiza Buys a Certified Used Car from CarMax
CarMax is a national retailer of used cars. In early June 2012, Csiza purchased a
used 2008 Subaru Outback (the Subaru) from CarMax at its San Diego store. CarMax
provided an express limited 30-day warranty, and Csiza purchased an extended warranty.
1 " ' "Judicial notice is the recognition and acceptance by the court, for use by the trier of fact or by the court, of the existence of a matter of law or fact that is relevant to an issue in the action without requiring formal proof of the matter." ' " (Unruh-Haxton v. Regents of University of California (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 343, 364, italics added.) Because we base our decision on the evidence presented in this case under summary judgment standards, neither the legislative history of section 11713.18(a)(6) nor the federal court decisions cited in the briefs provides assistance. Accordingly, we deny the pending requests for judicial notice by CarMax and by Csiza. (See California Valley Miwok Tribe v. California Gambling Control Commission (2014) 231 Cal.App.4th 885, 888 [court "declin[es] to take judicial notice of materials not 'necessary, helpful, or relevant' "].)
3
In preparing the Subaru for resale in December 2011, CarMax opened a repair
order. This order lists the repair work CarMax performed after it received the vehicle.
One of the entries on the order is described as "CIW," which is the " 'Certified Inspection
Work' " that CarMax performed for purposes of its " 'Certified Quality Inspection' "
(CQI). The CQI is a standard inspection that CarMax performs on all of its vehicles and
covers all facets of a vehicle's condition, including the major systems and equipment.2
The technicians who perform this inspection use a form standardized checklist as a guide
(CQI/VQI checklist); it is a working document, and CarMax enters the handwritten
entries and results of tests from the CQI/VQI checklist into an electronic database, which
CarMax calls its "Vehicle Repair Order History." By maintaining a Vehicle Repair Order
History for its cars, CarMax is able to track each repair, diagnosis or service performed
on each of its cars from any CarMax location. After transferring the information from the
CQI/VQI checklist to the Vehicle Repair Order History, CarMax does not keep the
CQI/VQI checklist. In the case of the Subaru, for example, by the time of the litigation,
CarMax no longer had the CQI/VQI checklist; rather, all that existed was the Vehicle
Repair Order History, CarMax's primary internal record of the presale service process —
which began with the late December service, including the CIW.
2 According to the testimony of the operations manager at CarMax's San Diego store, the CQI "includes a basic safety check of safety systems and of under-hood conditions, tires and lights. It includes a test drive that covers handling and braking, an interior inspection, an[] engine compartment check and an under-body inspection conducted on a lift."
4
CarMax does not sell to consumers any car that does not pass the CQI. The
Vehicle Repair Order History indicates that, following the CIW (including the necessary
repairs3), the Subaru passed CarMax's CQI.
CarMax provided Csiza with two reports of the CQI. The first report is a one-page
preprinted document that the CarMax salesperson handed to Csiza and discussed with
Csiza prior to her purchase of the Subaru (one-page report). At the top, the document
contains the following language (in various fonts, some capitalization omitted): "CQI
CarMax [illegible4] Certified Quality Inspection"; "This vehicle has passed the rigorous
CarMax 125-Point Quality Inspection"; and "Your signed CQI certificate can be found in
your vehicle's glove compartment." The following language appears lower on the page
(in smaller font): "We check over 125 points including (but not limited to): [four
columns of identified components]." Csiza was not confused by this document, she
discussed the inspection with the salesperson, and when she asked the salesperson a
question the salesperson was unable to answer, the salesperson arranged for a more
knowledgeable CarMax representative to respond to her inquiry. Prior to buying the
Subaru, Csiza understood that CarMax had inspected the components listed on the one-
page report and that "they check[ed] out okay."
3 CarMax invested 18.7 man hours and costs of at least $629.75 as part of the CIW performed on the Subaru.
4 The copy in the record on appeal is illegible. We have no evidence that suggests the copy given to Csiza was illegible.
5
The second report is a two-page preprinted document (two-page report). At the
top of the first page, it contains the following language (in various fonts, some
capitalization omitted): "CQI CarMax [illegible (see fn. 4)] Certified Quality
Inspection"; "This is to certify that this vehicle has passed the rigorous CarMax Certified
Quality Inspection." Immediately below is the statement, "We check over 125 points
including (but not limited to): [four columns, on the remainder of the first page and
almost all of the second page, of the identical components listed on the one-page
document]." The bottom of the second page contains handwritten numerals above the
preprinted words "Stock Number" and a handwritten signature above the preprinted
words "Certified by." Csiza found the two-page report in the glove compartment of the
Subaru after she had purchased the vehicle and driven it home.
B. Csiza's Claims Against CarMax
Within a few weeks of the purchase and sale — i.e., by the middle of June 2012 —
the Subaru began to pull to the right. Under the warranty, Csiza arranged for CarMax to
check out the car. Over the next few months, Csiza continued to experience mechanical
difficulties with the Subaru, returning to CarMax on several occasions for additional
service.
On January 7, 2013, Csiza filed the underlying action against CarMax, seeking
$100,000 in actual damages, $300,000 in punitive damages and equitable relief based on
allegations of statutory violations under the Song-Beverly Act, the CLRA and the UCL
and common law fraud.
6
Three days later on January 10, 2013, Csiza demanded that CarMax provide a
"proper remedy or correction" under the CLRA.5 CarMax responded by agreeing to
provide "full restitution" and requesting documentation and dollar amounts for the
categories of refunds CarMax had agreed to provide in exchange for the return of the
Subaru. Csiza provided the requested information, and at the end of February 2013
CarMax paid everything she requested in conjunction with her return of the Subaru.
Csiza proceeded with her lawsuit. One cause of action (Song-Beverly Act) is
based on the allegation that CarMax breached the express written warranty in various
regards. The remaining three causes of action (CLRA, UCL and fraud) are all premised
on the allegation that, in the sale of the Subaru, CarMax did not comply with
section 11713.18(a)(6), which provides in relevant part:
"(a) It is a violation of this code for the holder of any dealer's license issued under this article to . . . sell a used vehicle as 'certified' or use any similar descriptive term in the advertisement or the sale of a used vehicle that implies the vehicle has been certified to meet the terms of a used vehicle certification program if any of the following apply: [¶] . . . [¶] (6) Prior to sale, the dealer fails to provide the buyer with a completed inspection report indicating all the components inspected."
More specifically, Csiza alleged that CarMax violated section 11713.18(a)(6) by not
providing her with a statutorily compliant "completed inspection report."
5 Before a consumer may commence an action for damages under the CLRA, the consumer must first notify the potentially responsible person of the specific violations alleged under Civil Code section 1770 and demand that the person "correct, repair, replace, or otherwise rectify the goods or services alleged to be in violation of Section 1770." (Civ. Code, § 1782, subd. (a)(2).) Csiza's complaint, filed prior to the demand, did not seek money damages under the CLRA.
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C. CarMax's Summary Judgment
Following discovery, CarMax filed a motion for summary judgment or, in the
alternative, for summary adjudication. In support, CarMax filed a memorandum of
points and authorities, evidence (declarations and exhibits), a request for judicial notice
and a separate statement of undisputed material facts. In opposition, Csiza filed a
memorandum of points and authorities, evidence (declarations and exhibits), a request for
judicial notice and a response to CarMax's separate statement that included material facts
in dispute. CarMax replied, submitting a memorandum of points and authorities, a
summary of CarMax's separate statement and Csiza's response, a response to Csiza's
additional material facts in dispute and objections to some of the evidence submitted by
Csiza in her opposition.6
In late January 2014, the court issued a tentative ruling granting the motion for
summary judgment and entertained oral argument. At the hearing, counsel for Csiza
orally interposed an evidentiary objection to the declaration of Robert Gonsalves
(Gonsalves declaration), CarMax's operations manager for the San Diego store, submitted
by CarMax in support of its motion. (See Reid v. Google, Inc. (2010) 50 Cal.4th 512,
531-532 [Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (d) allows for oral objections at the hearing].)
After further argument, the court continued the hearing in order to allow the parties to
6 Because our disposition of the issues in this appeal depends on an analysis of the evidence in support of and in opposition to the motion, we will present and discuss the relevant evidence in detail in the Discussion, post.
8
submit additional briefing, in particular regarding the admissibility of the Gonsalves
declaration.
In addition to further briefing, the parties also submitted additional requests for
judicial notice, additional evidence and objections thereto. Following receipt and
consideration of these submissions, in mid-March 2014 the court issued a detailed
tentative ruling based on the original and supplemental briefing (granting CarMax's
motion) and entertained additional oral argument. The court confirmed its tentative
ruling and granted summary judgment in favor of CarMax.
The court entered judgment in favor of CarMax in early April 2014, and Csiza
timely appealed.
II.
DISCUSSION
On appeal, Csiza presents a number of arguments in support of a reversal of the
judgment. We will first discuss the cause of action under the Song-Beverly Act and
Csiza's failure to establish a triable issue of material fact. We will then explain how
Csiza did not meet her burden in opposing CarMax's motion for summary judgment with
regard to CarMax's alleged noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) and the effect of
such conclusion on each cause of action (Song-Beverly Act, CLRA, UCL and fraud).
A. Summary Judgment Principles
We review de novo the issues raised by Csiza in this appeal. (Aguilar v. Atlantic
Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 860 (Aguilar).) We must affirm on any correct legal
theory, so long as the parties had an opportunity to address it in either the trial or
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appellate court. (Schmidt v. Bank of America, N.A. (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 1489, 1498;
see Davey v. Southern Pacific Co. (1897) 116 Cal. 325, 329-330 [appealed judgment
correct on any theory will be affirmed, regardless of trial court's stated reasons].) The
judgment of the trial court is presumed correct, and Csiza (as the appellant) has the
burden of establishing reversible error. (Denham v. Superior Court (1970) 2 Cal.3d 557,
564.)
A defendant is entitled to a summary judgment on the basis that the "action has no
merit" (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (a)) only where the court is able to determine from
the evidence presented that "there is no triable issue as to any material fact and that the
moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law" (id., subd. (c)). A cause of
action "has no merit" if one or more of the elements of the cause of action cannot be
established, or an affirmative defense to the cause of action can be established. (Id.,
subd. (o).)
Thus, a defendant like CarMax has the burden of persuasion that one or more
elements of the cause of action at issue "cannot be established" or that "there is a
complete defense to that cause of action." (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (p)(2);
Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at pp. 849, 850, 853-854.) In attempting to meet this burden,
the defendant has the initial burden of production to make a prima facie showing of the
nonexistence of any triable issue of material fact. (Aguilar, at p. 850.) If the defendant
meets this burden, then the burden of production shifts to the plaintiff to establish the
existence of a triable issue of material fact. (Id. at pp. 850-851.)
10
In this appeal from the grant of a summary judgment, therefore, we determine first
whether CarMax's showing has established facts which justify a judgment in its favor;
and if the motion prima facie supports a judgment, we then determine whether Csiza's
opposition demonstrates a triable material issue of fact. (Garcia v. W&W Community
Development, Inc. (2010) 186 Cal.App.4th 1038, 1042.) Where the responsive evidence
" 'gives rise to no more than mere speculation[,]' " however, it " 'cannot be regarded as
substantial, and is insufficient to establish a triable issue of material fact.' " (Falcon v.
Long Beach Genetics, Inc. (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 1263, 1271.)
B. Csiza Did Not Meet Her Burden of Establishing Reversible Error with Regard to the Song-Beverly Act Cause of Action
" 'The Song-Beverly Act is a remedial statute designed to protect consumers who
have purchased products covered by an express warranty.' " (Martinez v. Kia Motors
America, Inc. (2011) 193 Cal.App.4th 187, 191.) We will assume without deciding that
the 30-day warranty CarMax provided Csiza qualifies as an express warranty for
purposes of the Song-Beverly Act.7
As applicable to Csiza's claim, the Song-Beverly Act provides in part: "[I]f the
manufacturer or its representative in this state does not service or repair the goods to
conform to the applicable express warranties after a reasonable number of attempts, the
manufacturer shall either replace the goods or reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to
7 An express warranty is defined as: "A written statement arising out of a sale to the consumer of a consumer good pursuant to which the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer undertakes to preserve or maintain the utility or performance of the consumer good or provide compensation if there is a failure in utility or performance . . . ." (Civ. Code, § 1791.2, subd. (a)(1).)
11
the purchase price paid by the buyer . . . ."8 (Civ. Code, § 1793.2, subd. (d)(1).)
Otherwise, "[a] buyer of consumer goods who is damaged by the manufacturer's failure
to comply with the [Song-Beverly A]ct may bring an action to recover damages and other
legal and equitable relief ([Civ. Code, ]§ 1794, subd. (a)), and if the buyer proves the
violation was willful, the judgment may also include a civil penalty which shall not
exceed two times the amount of actual damages. ([Civ. Code, ]§ 1794, subd. (c).)"
(Robertson v. Fleetwood Travel Trailers of California, Inc. (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 785,
798 (Robertson).) Csiza has alleged damages, equitable relief and civil penalties.
To recover under the Song-Beverly Act, Csiza has the burden of proving: the
Subaru "had a defect or nonconformity covered by the express warranty"; the Subaru
"was presented to [CarMax] for repair"; and CarMax "did not repair the defect or
nonconformity after a reasonable number of repair attempts." (Robertson, supra, 144
Cal.App.4th at pp. 798-799.) In her complaint, Csiza alleges that the "defects that existed
at the time of the sale" of the Subaru "substantially impair[ed] the use, value, and safety
of the vehicle[,]" in breach of the express warranty CarMax provided. In addition, Csiza
alleges that "Car[M]ax expressly warranted that the [Subaru] was in Car[M]ax 'certified'
condition, but it was not."
On appeal, however, in response to a judgment in favor of CarMax, Csiza
substantively mentions the Song-Beverly Act or her claim under it on only three
8 The Song-Beverly Act provides similar protections with respect to new vehicles in subdivision (d)(2) of Civil Code section 1793.2.
12
occasions, as follows: (1) even following the rescission under the CLRA (which Csiza
does not dispute), Csiza may still "seek damages, including Song-Beverly [Act] damages
and punitive damages, because the provisions and remedies of the CLRA are not
exclusive," citing Civil Code section 1752; (2) "Statutory damages may be sought in a
Song-Beverly [Act] cause of action as a matter of right. CarMax completely failed to
address this issue and relies solely on their [sic] tender [of restitution]"; and (3) "CarMax
has also not addressed the statutory right under [the] Song-Beverly [Act] to seek treble
damages," citing Civil Code section 1794, subdivisions (c) and (e).9
With regard to Csiza's first point, we agree that under California law the
provisions and remedies of the CLRA are not exclusive. (Civ. Code, § 1752.) However,
that statement alone — and that is the entirety of Csiza's first point — is insufficient to
present an argument on appeal. Without more, we are unable to determine whether, in
the context of the facts of this case with citations to evidence in the record, Csiza's claim
for damages under the Song-Beverly Act survived the rescission. An opening brief "must
[¶] . . . [¶] . . . support each point by argument and, if possible, by citation of authority[]
and [¶] [s]upport any reference to a matter in the record by a citation to the volume and
page number of the record where the matter appears." (Cal. Rules of Court,
rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) & (C).) For this reason, Csiza forfeited appellate review of this
9 In her complaint, Csiza also alleges relief under the Song-Beverly Act based on CarMax's purported violation of section 11713.18(a)(6)'s requirements related to providing a "completed inspection report." We will discuss this issue in part II.D.1., post, after our analysis of CarMax's alleged noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) in part II.D.2., post.
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argument. (Cahill v. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 939, 956
(Cahill) [when appellant fails to support a point " ' "with reasoned argument and citations
to authority, we treat the point as waived" ' "]; Trinkle v. California State Lottery (2003)
105 Cal.App.4th 1401, 1413 (Trinkle) ["unless a party's brief contains a legal argument
with citation of authorities on the point made, the court may treat it as waived and pass on
it without consideration"].) Likewise, Csiza has forfeited appellate review of her second
and third points — "[s]tatutory damages" and "treble damages" — by failing to present
applicable argument and authority. (Cahill, at p. 956; Trinkle, at p. 1413.) At a
minimum, Csiza does not tell us what "[s]tatutory damages" she is claiming, and Csiza's
cited authorities do not allow for the recovery of "treble damages."10
The need for more from Csiza is evident, given the trial court's (and CarMax's)
reliance on Dominguez v. American Suzuki Motor Corp. (2008) 160 Cal.App.4th 53. In
Dominguez, the Court of Appeal affirmed a summary judgment in favor of the defendant
in a Song-Beverly Act cause of action, ruling that the mere offer to repurchase the vehicle
satisfied the defendant's statutory obligation, defeating any claim for damages. (Id. at
pp. 58-60.) As Dominguez explains, where a plaintiff fails to present evidence of the
10 Csiza claims that Civil Code section 1794, subdivisions (c) and (e) allow for treble damages. However, these statutory provisions only allow for "a civil penalty" not to exceed "two times" the amount of actual damages upon an appropriate showing (id., subd. (c), italics added; see Robertson, supra, 144 Cal.App.4th at p. 798 [civil penalty "shall not exceed two times the amount of actual damages"]) — a showing that Csiza does not mention, let alone attempt to establish. Subdivision (e) is further inapplicable, because it applies only new vehicles (Civ. Code, § 1794, subd (e)(1), citing id., § 1793.2, subd. (d)(2) [limited to "a new motor vehicle"]), yet the Subaru was not a new vehicle.
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defendant's willful failure to "either replace the goods or reimburse the buyer" (Civ.
Code, § 1793.2, subd. (d)(1)) — a prerequisite to the damages claimed by the plaintiff in
Dominguez and by Csiza here (Civ. Code, § 1794, subd. (c)) — the plaintiff cannot defeat
an otherwise proper motion for summary judgment. (Dominguez, at p. 59.) Thus,
because CarMax reimbursed Csiza for all the damages she claimed as part of the
rescission and Csiza did not present evidence of any other financial loss, the trial court
correctly determined that Csiza did not meet her burden of presenting evidence of a
triable issue of fact related to a willful failure to comply with the Song-Beverly Act or the
warranty. (Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at pp. 850-851.)
For these reasons, Csiza did not meet her burden of establishing a triable issue of
material fact with regard to the Song-Beverly Act cause of action.
In closing, Csiza argues that the trial court erred in entering judgment in favor of
CarMax, because Csiza (not CarMax) was the prevailing party under the breach of
warranty claim. According to Csiza, she submitted evidence "detailing the many serious,
never repaired defects in the [Subaru], which started within about a week of purchase,"
yet CarMax's defense to the Song-Beverly Act claim is based solely on having paid Csiza
all of her damages. Although Csiza's argument is less than clear, Csiza has forfeited
appellate review of the issues for at least two reasons. First, Csiza does not provide any
record references in support of her statement that she submitted evidence of "the many
serious, never repaired defects." (Lonely Maiden Productions, LLC v. Golden Tree Asset
Management, LP (2011) 201 Cal.App.4th 368, 384 (Lonely Maiden Productions) [" 'It is
the duty of counsel to refer the reviewing court to the portion of the record which
15
supports appellant's contentions on appeal. [Citation.] If no citation "is furnished on a
particular point, the court may treat it as waived." ' "].)11 Second, Csiza did not first
present this issue or argument to the trial court. (Doers v. Golden Gate Bridge etc. Dist.
(1979) 23 Cal.3d 180, 184, fn. 1; Rand v. Board of Psychology (2012) 206 Cal.App.4th
565, 590 [" 'It is well established that a party may not raise new issues on appeal not
presented to the trial court.' "].)
C. Csiza Did Not Meet Her Burden of Establishing Reversible Error as to CarMax's Compliance with Section 11713.18(a)(6)
Once again, section 11713.18(a)(6) establishes a violation of the Vehicle Code if a
licensed automobile dealer markets a used vehicle as " 'certified' " and "fails to provide
the buyer with a completed inspection report indicating all the components inspected"
prior to sale. On appeal, Csiza argues two allegedly triable issues of material fact with
regard to CarMax's alleged noncompliance with this statutory provision: (1) whether
11 We ordered the parties' original briefs returned for correction and refiling. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(e)(2)(A).) The stated reason for the order was that the briefs did not contain record references to the evidence on which they relied, in violation of California Rule of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(C). The original briefs contained many citations to a separate statement or a response to a separate statement, yet citations in such documents are not evidence of anything; they are "mere assertion[s]." (Stockinger v. Feather River Community College (2003) 111 Cal.App.4th 1014, 1024.) Csiza did not take advantage of this opportunity with regard to the alleged defects, instead submitting a corrected brief that cites only to two pages of her response to CarMax's separate statement — not to any evidence.
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CarMax provided Csiza with a completed inspection report; and, if so, (2) whether
CarMax provided the report prior to the sale of the Subaru.12
CarMax presented a significant portion of its evidence on these issues in the
Gonsalves declaration. The trial court overruled Csiza's evidentiary objections to the
Gonsalves declaration — rulings that Csiza challenges on appeal. We will discuss the
evidentiary rulings and, thus, the admissibility of the Gonsalves declaration, before
considering the evidence in support of and in opposition to CarMax's motion.
1. Csiza Did Not Meet Her Burden of Establishing Reversible Error in Overruling Csiza's Evidentiary Objections to the Gonsalves Declaration
On appeal, Csiza argues that, based on Gonsalves's deposition testimony,
Gonsalves lacks the requisite personal knowledge for the court to have considered and
relied on his declaration testimony in support of CarMax's motion.
The trial court ruled on eight specific "Supplemental Evidentiary Objections" by
Csiza — sustaining in part one and overruling the remainder. However, in her brief on
appeal, Csiza does not refer to any specific objection or ruling by the trial court and, in
fact, fails to cite to us (and we have been unable to locate) where in the record she
submitted eight objections to the Gonsalves declaration. Instead, she presents the generic
argument that, because Gonsalves lacked personal knowledge of the facts in his
12 In her complaint, Csiza alleged five violations of the statute. By not raising the other three alleged violations in her opening brief, Csiza has forfeited appellate review of them. (Reyes v. Kosha (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 451, 466, fn. 6 ["Although our review of a summary judgment is de novo, it is limited to issues which have been adequately raised and supported in [the opening] brief."].) Csiza did not raise the additional three arguments in her opposition to CarMax's motion in the trial court either.
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declaration, the Gonsalves declaration "should be disregarded in its entirety." (Initial
capitalization omitted.) In her brief on appeal, without mentioning the standard of review
or citing any legal authority or necessary record references, Csiza devotes nine pages
mostly to quotes from Gonsalves's deposition — without any suggesting how this
additional testimony may have resulted in reversible error in admitting the Gonsalves
declaration.
Csiza's presentation is not helpful and violates basic rules of appellate procedure
by failing to support each point by argument, citation of legal authority and reference to
the record on appeal. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) & (C).) For these
reasons, Csiza has forfeited appellate review of the admissibility of the Gonsalves
declaration. (Cahill, supra, 194 Cal.App.4th at p. 956; Trinkle, supra, 105 Cal.App.4th at
p. 1413; Lonely Maiden Productions, supra, 201 Cal.App.4th at p. 384.) This is a
necessary result given that we are unable to review the merits of the court's rulings in the
context of the specific objection(s) made to the specific testimony in the Gonsalves
declaration.
In any event, even if we consider the intent behind Csiza's incomplete
presentation, there is no merit in Csiza's generic argument that Gonsalves lacked personal
knowledge of the facts in his declaration. At the time CarMax submitted the Gonsalves
declaration, Gonsalves was the operations manager of CarMax's San Diego store. He had
been employed by CarMax for almost two years, during which time he gained experience
in the areas of CarMax's sales, operations and maintenance/service. He explained
CarMax's policies and procedures concerning the creation, execution and storage of
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certain documents created in the ordinary course of CarMax's business — including those
scanned into and stored as electronic documents in a CarMax database. Gonsalves
reviewed and testified about specific documents at issue in the litigation, including: the
CQI/VQI checklist; the 30-day limited warranty; the one-page report; the two-page
report; and the Vehicle Repair Order History. From his review of these documents,
Gonsalves testified as to the presale inspections and preparations, the sale and the post-
sale repair history of the Subaru with CarMax.
Although we review the trial court's grant of summary judgment de novo, we
review the trial court's rulings on evidentiary objections to evidence in support of the
motion for an abuse of discretion. (Miranda v. Bomel Construction Co., Inc. (2010) 187
Cal.App.4th 1326, 1335.) A trial court abuses its discretion only when, in its exercise,
the ruling is arbitrary or the trial court " 'exceeds the bounds of reason, all of the
circumstances before it being considered.' " (Shaw v. County of Santa Cruz (2008) 170
Cal.App.4th 229, 281 [admissibility of evidence].)
We begin with the understanding that "the testimony of a witness concerning a
particular matter is inadmissible unless he has personal knowledge of the matter." (Evid.
Code, § 702, subd. (a).) In this context, personal knowledge means "a present
recollection of an impression derived from the exercise of the witness's own senses."
(Alvarez v. State of California (1999) 79 Cal.App.4th 720, 731.) Indeed, a witness's own
testimony may be sufficient to establish the requisite personal knowledge (Evid. Code,
§ 702, subd. (b)); and here, Gonsalves testified that he had personal knowledge of the
facts in his declaration. "[A]ny 'qualified witness' who is knowledgeable about the
19
documents may lay the foundation for introduction of business records — the witness
need not be the custodian or the person who created the record." (Jazayeri v. Mao (2009)
We are aware that Gonsalves did not participate in the transaction in which
CarMax sold the Subaru to Csiza. However, he presented sufficient evidence of his
personal knowledge of the business records associated with the transaction — combined
with his training and experience in how such documents are created and maintained in the
normal course of business — such that the court did not exceed the bounds of reason in
allowing his testimony of the events based on those documents.13 Finally, Csiza has
cited no authority, and we are aware of none, that precludes Gonsalves's personal
knowledge to have been based on his review of specifically identified documents (each of
which was submitted as an exhibit).
Accordingly, Csiza has not met her burden in presenting or establishing error
related to the court's evidentiary rulings directed to the Gonsalves declaration. We will
next consider the evidentiary showing made by the parties.
2. In response to CarMax's Prima Facie Showing, Csiza Did Not Meet Her Burden of Establishing a Triable Issue of Material Fact as to CarMax's Compliance with Section 11713.18(a)(6)
Section 11713.18(c)(6) requires that the completed inspection report "indicating
all the components inspected" be provided "[p]rior to sale." Csiza argues on appeal that
the two-page report is noncompliant, because (1) CarMax did not provide it to Csiza prior
13 Csiza did not object to the admissibility of the documents themselves.
20
to the sale of the Subaru, and (2) it does not indicate all the components inspected. In so
doing, Csiza ignores the one-page report — despite the trial court's express ruling that
the one-page report satisfied section 11713.18(a)(6). On this basis alone, we could deem
Csiza to have forfeited our consideration of whether CarMax complied with
section 11713.18(c)(6) in the sale of the Subaru to Csiza. (Cahill, supra, 194
Cal.App.4th at p. 956; Trinkle, supra, 105 Cal.App.4th at p. 1413.) Nonetheless, we will
deal with Csiza's arguments to the extent they apply to the one-page report.14
Relying on evidence that CarMax did not provide the two-page report until after
the sale, Csiza argues that the trial court erred in ruling that CarMax complied with
section 11713.18(c)(6). However, as she acknowledges in her brief on appeal, Csiza
received the one-page report prior to the sale. Such acknowledgement is understandable
given CarMax's presentation to the trial court of the following uncontradicted evidence
prior to the sale of the Subaru: CarMax's salesperson provided Csiza with the one-page
report; Csiza discussed the inspection described on the one-page report with the
salesperson, including specific points in the report; when Csiza asked a question that the
salesperson was unable to answer, the salesperson located another CarMax representative
with specific knowledge regarding the item on the one-page report; and, substantively,
Csiza understood that CarMax had inspected the components listed on the one-page
report and, in her own words, "they check[ed] out okay."
14 Once again, the one-page report and the two-page report list the same "points" subject to inspection.
21
Thus, the remaining consideration is whether Csiza established a triable issue of
material fact with regard to whether the one-page report qualified as a "completed
inspection report indicating all the components inspected" for purposes of
section 11713.18(a)(6).
Csiza argues that the report is incomplete and inaccurate in the following regards:
(1) "CarMax admits that it inspects more points than are listed on the [report]"; (2) the
report "states that CarMax's inspection 'includ[ed]' but was 'not limited to' the points
listed on the [report]"; (3) the report "lists components that are not and could not be on
[the Subaru]"; (4) "CarMax does not know how many points it actually inspected on the
[Subaru], making a representation CarMax performed a '125 point inspection'
inaccurate"; and (5) "CarMax does not use the [report] during the pre-purchase inspection
process."
We are aware that certain documentary evidence regarding the scope of CQI is not
consistent. The CIW entry (on the Vehicle Report History for the Subaru) refers to
CarMax's "125+ point 'Certified Quality Inspection' "; the one-page report (that CarMax
gave Csiza prior to purchase) refers to a "125-Point Quality Inspection," advising that
CarMax "check[ed] over 125 points, including (but not limited to) . . ."; and the two-page
report (that CarMax placed in the glove compartment of the Subaru) advises that CarMax
"check[ed] over 125 points, including (but not limited to) . . . ." (Italics added.) In the
context of this evidence, we understand Csiza's arguments to be that the inspection report
was noncompliant with section 11713.18(a)(6) either because CarMax inspected more
22
than 125 components or because the report listed components that CarMax had not
inspected.
Initially, we reject Csiza's suggestion that, by completing a more thorough
inspection than disclosed in the report (i.e., by inspecting more components than
disclosed), CarMax's inspection report did not comply with section 11713.18(a)(6)'s
requirement that it indicate "all the components inspected." Csiza did not allege such
noncompliance in her complaint.15 "If [Csiza] wished to rely upon unpleaded theories to
defeat summary judgment, [s]he was required to move to amend the complaint prior to
the hearing on [CarMax's] motion." (Leibert v. Transworld Systems, Inc. (1995) 32
Cal.App.4th 1693, 1699.)
With regard to the remaining arguments, CarMax correctly counters that Csiza
offers no evidence to support these contentions in the sale of the Subaru to Csiza.16
15 The theories of noncompliance that Csiza pleaded are alleged at paragraphs 10 and 30 of the complaint and include: CarMax did not provide Csiza with "a completed inspection report," an inspection report prior to the sale, "a copy of CarMax's CQI checklist" prior to sale or "a certification checklist specific to [the Subaru]"; the two-page report Csiza received "was generic, and not specific to the [Subaru]"; CarMax did not "disclose the defective nature of the [Subaru]"; and CarMax could not call the Subaru "[c]ertified when CarMax does not oversee, supervise and/or enforce any 'certification' standards." Even if we assume that these allegations are broad enough to include noncompliance by inspecting more components than disclosed (although we do not see it), as we explain in the text post, Csiza failed to present evidence in support of the allegations.
16 Instead, Csiza argues that the entire Gonsalves declaration is inadmissible, apparently contending that if Gonsalves's testimony is not considered, then CarMax cannot make a prima facie showing of the nonexistence of a triable issue of fact. However, as we explained in part II.C.1, ante, Csiza did not meet her burden of 23
Indeed, in support of its motion for summary judgment, as part of its initial burden to
show the nonexistence of any triable issue of material fact (Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at
pp. 850), CarMax presented the following discovery responses from Csiza (Code Civ.
Proc., § 437c, subd. (b)(1)), which prima facie establish that Csiza had no evidence either
that CarMax inspected more than 125 components or that CarMax inspected components
that were not listed:
"REQUEST [FOR ADMISSION] NO. 36:
"Admit that [CarMax] checks over 125 points on the [Subaru] during its presale inspection.
"RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 36:
"Objection. [Csiza] is without sufficient information to admit or deny this request.
"FURTHER RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 36:
"A reasonable inquiry concerning the matter in the request has been made and the information known or readily obtainable is insufficient to enable [Csiza] to admit the matter."
* * * * *
"REQUEST [FOR ADMISSION] NO. 60:
"Admit that [the one-page report] lists all of the components [CarMax] inspected on the [Subaru].
"RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 60:
"Objection. [Csiza] is unaware whether [CarMax] performed a certification process, and, furthermore, is not familiar with [CarMax's] certification process. Therefore, she is without sufficient knowledge to admit or deny this request.
establishing that the Gonsalves declaration was inadmissible — the necessary predicate for Csiza's argument.
24
"[FURTHER] RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 60:
"A reasonable inquiry concerning the matter in the request has been made and the information known or readily obtainable is insufficient to enable [Csiza] to admit the matter."
* * * * *
"SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO. 46:
"Please describe each component of the [Subaru] that [Csiza] concedes [CarMax] inspected during its certification process.
"RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO. 46:
"Objection. [Csiza] objects to this Special Interrogatory as being overbroad. Subject to and without waiving any objections, [Csiza] responds as follows: [Csiza] found a generic, pre-printed 'CQI Car[M]ax Certified Quality Inspection' document in her glove box after purchase. Discovery is continuing.
"FURTHER RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO. 46:
"Objection. [Csiza] objects to this Special Interrogatory as being overbroad. Subject to and without waiving any objections, [Csiza] responds as follows: [Csiza] does not concede that CarMax inspected any component of the Subaru. [Csiza] was not present at the time of CarMax's alleged certification inspection. Further, CarMax did not provide [Csiza] a completed inspection report for the Subaru prior to purchase. The generic pre-printed 'CQI CarMax Certified Quality Inspection' document CarMax placed in her glove box does not identify the specific components inspected on the Subaru."
* * * * *
"SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO. 47:
"Please describe each component of the [Subaru] that [Csiza] claims defendant [CarMax] represented it inspected during its certification process, but did not.
"RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO. 47:
"Objection. [Csiza] objects to this Special Interrogatory as being overbroad. [Csiza] is unaware whether [CarMax] performed a certification
25
process, and, furthermore, is not familiar with [CarMax's] certification process.
"FURTHER RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO. 47:
"Objection. [Csiza] objects to this Special Interrogatory as being overbroad. Subject to and without waiving any objections, [Csiza] responds as follows: [Csiza] does not have any information as to which component of the Subaru CarMax actually inspected to sell the vehicle as certified. [Csiza] was not present at the time of CarMax's alleged certification inspection. Further, CarMax did not provide [Csiza] a completed inspection report for the Subaru prior to purchase. The generic, pre-printed 'CQI CarMax Certified Quality Inspection' document CarMax placed in her glove box does not identify the specific components inspected on the Subaru."
The significance of these responses is that "a moving defendant may rely on factually
devoid discovery responses to shift the burden of proof pursuant to [Code of Civil
(Union Bank v. Superior Court (1995) 31 Cal.App.4th 573, 590.) Once the burden shifts,
of course, "the plaintiff must set forth the specific facts which prove the existence of a
triable issue of material fact." (Ibid., italics added; see Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at
pp. 850-851).
17 "A defendant . . . has met his or her burden of showing that a cause of action has no merit if that party has shown that one or more elements of the cause of action, even if not separately pleaded, cannot be established . . . . Once the defendant . . . has met that burden, the burden shifts to the plaintiff . . . to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists as to that cause of action or a defense thereto. The plaintiff . . . may not rely upon the mere allegations or denials of its pleadings to show that a triable issue of material fact exists but, instead, shall set forth the specific facts showing that a triable issue of material fact exists as to that cause of action or a defense thereto." (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (p)(2), italics added.)
26
Here, however, once the burden shifted to Csiza, she was unable to provide
evidence (as opposed to the rhetoric and hyperbole in her appellate brief) of any
component that was either listed on the report but not inspected or inspected but not listed
on the report. For this reason, Csiza did not meet her burden of establishing a triable
issue of material fact as to CarMax's alleged noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6)
in the sale of the Subaru to Csiza.18
D. Given Her Failure to Establish a Triable Issue of Material Fact as to CarMax's Alleged Noncompliance with Section 11713.18(a)(6), Csiza Did Not Meet Her Burden of Establishing a Triable Issue of Material Fact with Regard to Any of the Causes of Action
Agreeing with the trial court that Csiza did not meet her burden of establishing
CarMax's noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6), we will now apply this conclusion
to the four causes of action.
1. The Song-Beverly Act
Within the cause of action under the Song-Beverly Act Csiza there is a one-
sentence allegation that states "Car[M]ax expressly warranted that the vehicle was in
Car[M]ax 'certified' condition, but it was not."
To the extent Csiza contends that this allegation is based on the various theories of
noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) set forth at footnote 15, ante, because we
have concluded that Csiza has not met her burden of establishing a triable issue of
18 We emphasize the limited nature of this ruling. It is based on the record and briefing in this case, which involves only the transaction in which CarMax sold the Subaru to Csiza in June 2012. It is not a ruling, or even a comment, on what Csiza contends is a companywide policy or procedure.
27
material fact as to CarMax's alleged noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6), she
cannot prove a necessary element in the Song-Beverly Act cause of action.
To the extent Csiza contends this allegation is based on other theories related to
the " 'certified' condition" of the Subaru, Csiza forfeited her right to appellate review by
neither identifying what such theories might be nor presenting evidence in support of
such theories or argument with legal authority as to her entitlement to relief based on
such theories. (Cahill, supra, 194 Cal.App.4th at p. 956; Trinkle, supra, 105 Cal.App.4th
at p. 1413.)
2. CLRA
The CLRA, Civil Code section 1750 et seq., " ' " 'established a nonexclusive
statutory remedy for "unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or
practices undertaken by any person in a transaction intended to result or which results in
the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer." ' " ' " (Pierce v. Western Surety
Co. (2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 83, 91.) Civil Code section 1780 provides the remedies for
any consumer who suffers damage as a result of any of the deceptive business practices
enumerated in Civil Code section 1770.
In her complaint in this action, Csiza averred a number of deceptive business
practices based on CarMax's alleged noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) in the
sale of the Subaru to Csiza. More specifically, Csiza alleged that the various theories of
noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) set forth at footnote 15, ante, violated
subdivisions (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(7), (a)(9), (a)(14), and (a)(16) of Civil Code
section 1770. Thus, the predicate act for each of the alleged violations of the CLRA is
28
CarMax's purported noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) in the sale of the Subaru
to Csiza.
Because we have concluded that Csiza has not met her burden of establishing a
triable issue of material fact as to CarMax's alleged noncompliance with
section 11713.18(a)(6), she cannot prove a necessary element in her CLRA cause of
action.
3. UCL
The UCL defines "unfair competition" as "any unlawful, unfair or fraudulent
business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising and any
act prohibited by [the false advertising law (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17500 et seq.)]." (Id.,
§ 17200.) The UCL has a broad scope that allows in part for " 'violations of other laws to
be treated as unfair competition that is independently actionable.' " (In re Tobacco
Cases II (2007) 41 Cal.4th 1257, 1266; see Daugherty v. American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc. (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 824, 837 ["By proscribing unlawful business practices, the
UCL borrows violations of other laws and treats them as independently actionable."].)
In her UCL cause of action, Csiza alleged that CarMax's unfair business practices
include "the various prohibitions contained in" the Song-Beverly Act, CLRA and
California Vehicle Code, as well as state law fraud and deceit. More specifically, Csiza
alleged that CarMax's purported noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) — based on
the same theories of noncompliance set forth at footnote 15, ante — are the unlawful
business practices.
29
Once again, therefore, because we have concluded that Csiza has not met her
burden of establishing a triable issue of material fact as to CarMax's alleged
noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6), she cannot prove a necessary element in her
UCL cause of action.
4. Fraud and Deceit
In her cause of action for fraud, Csiza asserts claims based on both
misrepresentations and nondisclosures. The elements of a cause of action for fraud based
on misrepresentation are: a misrepresentation; knowledge of its falsity; intent to induce
reliance; justifiable reliance; and resulting damage. (City of Industry v. City of Fillmore
(2011) 198 Cal.App.4th 191, 211.) The elements of a cause of action for fraud based on
nondisclosure are: intentional concealment or suppression of a material fact, by a party
under a duty to disclose, with knowledge that the other party would not have acted as it
did if it had known of the fact, and resulting damage. (Moncada v. West Coast Quartz
Corp. (2013) 221 Cal.App.4th 768, 775.)
In her cause of action for fraud, Csiza incorporated all of the allegations from her
statutory (Song-Beverly Act, CLRA, UCL) causes of action. She did not allege any
additional facts that she contended were misrepresentations or omissions. Thus, to the
extent Csiza considers the alleged misrepresentations or omissions to be based on the
various theories of noncompliance with section 11713.18(a)(6) set forth at footnote 15,
ante, because we have concluded that Csiza has not met her burden of establishing a
triable issue of material fact as to CarMax's alleged noncompliance with
30
section 11713.18(a)(6), she cannot prove a necessary element in her fraud cause of
action.
To the extent Csiza intended to base her fraud claim on other misrepresentations
or omissions, Csiza has forfeited her right to appellate review of the summary judgment
of the fraud cause of action. (Cahill, supra, 194 Cal.App.4th at p. 956; Trinkle, supra,
105 Cal.App.4th at p. 1413; Lonely Maiden Productions, supra, 201 Cal.App.4th at
p. 384.) In her brief, Csiza's entire argument is five paragraphs and (even inferring facts
that are not included) provides at best: CarMax is "familiar with the law regarding
advertising and selling 'certified' vehicles"; the one-page report "is a generic form with no
individualized information [and] only half the parts inspected listed" and "simply does
not comply" with the law regarding advertising and selling " 'certified' " vehicles;
CarMax's companywide disclosure system is "fraudulent," because CarMax "fail[s] to
keep the CQI/VQI checklists"; California law allows for punitive damages to discourage
corporate wrongdoing; and "Mr. Blackwell" is CarMax's managing agent at the San
Diego store and responsible for implementing CarMax corporate policy. (Some
capitalization omitted.) Within these five paragraphs, Csiza presents no argument, legal
authority,19 evidence or record references on which to base a reversal. Indeed, none of
19 In support of the generic statement that California allows for punitive damages, Csiza cites two cases — neither of which deals with fraud in the sale of a used vehicle certified pursuant to the Vehicle Code. One discusses reasonable proportionality between punitive damages and actual or potential harm to a plaintiff, where the reprehensibility of the corporate conduct is a consideration (Johnson v. Ford Motor Co. (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1191, 1207 [evidence established that, in reselling automobile, car manufacturer concealed automobile's history of transmission repairs]), and the other discusses the use 31
Csiza's statements deal with her purchase of the Subaru; they appear to be directed to
CarMax's alleged general business practices, even though this is an individual (not
representative) action based on one specific transaction.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. CarMax is entitled to its costs on appeal. (Cal. Rules
of Court, rule 8.278(a).)
IRION, J.
WE CONCUR:
MCCONNELL, P. J.
HUFFMAN, J.
of punitive damages to deter socially unacceptable acts and to discourage objectionable corporate policies (Egan v. Mutual of Omaha Ins. Co. (1979) 24 Cal.3d 809, 820 [breach of disability insurance policy].) 32
AI Brief
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Holding. The court affirmed the summary judgment in favor of CarMax, concluding that CarMax met its initial burden of establishing compliance with Vehicle Code section 11713.18(a)(6) and that the plaintiff failed to establish a triable issue of material fact regarding that compliance or her other causes of action.
Issues
Whether CarMax complied with Vehicle Code section 11713.18(a)(6) by providing a completed inspection report prior to the sale of a certified used vehicle.
Whether the trial court erred in granting summary judgment on the plaintiff's Song-Beverly Act, CLRA, UCL, and fraud claims.
Whether the trial court erred in its evidentiary rulings regarding the Gonsalves declaration.
Disposition. Affirmed
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“CarMax met its initial burden of establishing compliance with section 11713.18(a)(6), and Csiza then did not meet her responsive burden of establishing a material issue of fact.”
“The judgment of the trial court is presumed correct, and Csiza (as the appellant) has the burden of establishing reversible error.”