The phrase caveat emptor means “let the buyer beware.” Essentially, this is a doctrine that a consumer purchases an item or service at their own risk. The only way this risk is nulled is if a warranty is given by the business or person selling the product or service. A consumer has absolute right to freely choose what they want to purchase and therefore are expected to take responsibility and accept the risks that the product or service they are purchasing may be defective or unsuitable. During the transaction, the responsibility of the product or service is transferred from the seller to the consumer’s in its entirety.
In reviewing the case study “Hot Coffee” within the textbook, we are brought back to the caveat emptor doctrine. Following