ÿWPCâ …€'¨¶q ô >¨­*Ì5a€®n4IÇC|5ñjûRHâjp‘Œ¿‹¿UÅZ×RiÕ»ßÍ¥,¼«WöæÎZ-¸ck‡]KAjðÝïýQàøô]#;ìšÊëMÝâÇà«}Ç:’|g¢Äø03Ìš{cæ–tdWø‹Øfp†ÖÔ•¢2Á)Á.‘ÉOâž |_ ž‘T×A=9Øo¶ÉÎ8œ º»ö{õ•¹7ûãÙóõP°Tu—á.ÄÊÅÍv{ø­9‰Æmg‰ÏÏ›r|¹8ì·r\Ÿ« Y÷±RX‡…âÂí¸€²ÂxKŠï: }×,—öXnµsjmqŠ6ãÅ¥3$؆ZmÃñjè%wŸw«ãÁä·êhG£Æ³ß5ø_¹Ð¦GP¢ÅÏ‚_NÇà—GB’ùãÒKT1h—«’/QÙ¢ ŸÚ›& ¡ö€­BþZ]qp‹"¸‹‚ >² DåÀzìƒÁ¬£fýx™ ÇÂî…7—aw¯&~ýøiŽÕhGÉ%Wàǃ¹`d+)ôy9~çîíø1Æ¡e´A€ž`(¦MÞ…i°–Ö³¥ò.×ÒKºµËdh_WýꡘbKîÅãõHbøC­Â »–Ep41è#í×Wd#!xUN™ %ç 0(íw 4 - U:< 0§v U: ŠW 0Dáí%eNwyæ{U:a7› mÒU:éy#^ œœL¨=ô1-9999f?nnnnn B­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 0DÊ D5 AQCÆ” 0DZ 0Dž˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡{Z='øð ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ3|x, øð AZ"Arial Regular(f2‘×$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ X€XXXÔÔ€ ô)¨õX X€ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.€€,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular €Ý ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€47„18„101€òòet€seq.óó€(1995€&€Supp.€1998).€€More€specifically,€Burrow€explained€atÐ ° Ðtrial€that€he€claimed€Barr€had€violated€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sections€47„18„104(b)(7)€and€(b)(27),€whichÐ pÀ Ðprovide:Ð .~ ÐÌà8  à[T]he€following€unfair€or€deceptive€acts€or€practices€affecting€the€conduct€of€any€trade€orÐ ªú Ðcommerce€are€declared€to€be€unlawful€and€in€violation€of€this€part:Ðh¸Ð Ð  Ðà@yy(ìà.€.€.ˆÐ & v Ðà8  àà ` à(7)€Representing€that€goods€or€services€are€of€a€particular€standard,€quality€or€gradeÐ ä 4 Ð.€.€.€if€they€are€of€another;Т òÐ Ð  Ðà@yy(ìà.€.€.ˆÐ ` °  Ðà8  àà ` à(27)€Engaging€in€any€other€act€or€practice€which€is€deceptive€to€the€consumer€or€toÐ  n  Ðany€other€person.ÐÜ , Ð Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„104(b)€(Supp.€1998).(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ãÝ ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„109(e)(2)€(establishing€that€the€trial€court€may€award€a€defendant€anyÐ ° Ðdamages€incurred,€including€reasonable€attorney€fees€and€costs,€resulting€from€the€defense€of€a€TCPA€claimÐ n¾ Ðthat€was€ð ðfrivolous,€without€legal€or€factual€merit,€or€brought€for€the€purpose€of€harassmentðð). [Ý ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„109(a)(3)€&€(4)€(providing€for€the€recovery€of€treble€damages€where€ð ðtheÐ ° Ðunfair€or€deceptive€act€or€practice€was€a€willful€or€knowing€violationðð€of€the€TCPA).  ÜÝ ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú7Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝThe€mileage€of€the€1988€model€car€did,€however,€exceed€136,000€miles.€€Further,€Burrow€later€admittedÐ ° Ðduring€cross„examination€that€he€assumed€that€Durbinððs€characterization€(that€he€thought€it€was€a€good€car)Ð n¾ ÐÔ‡ôš«òò ôš«Ôwas€just€Durbinððs€opinion.€€Ô#† ôš«òòôš«{#Ô,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular -Ý ƒb¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€X€XXXÔÔ€#XX€ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X€X#ÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€17,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó óÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular oÝ ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„109(a)(1)€(providing€for€the€recovery€of€actual€damages€resulting€from€ð ðtheÐ ° Ðuse€or€employment€...€of€an€unfair€or€deceptive€act€or€practice€declared€to€by€unlawfulðð€by€the€TCPA).ž1'L C:\OFFICE\WPWIN\TEMPLATE\STANDARD.WPT 3Ý ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„109(e)(1)€(establishing€that€the€trial€court€may€award€the€person€bringingÐ ° Ða€TCPA€claim€reasonable€attorney€fees€and€costs). #Ñ#€iXÿÿd#Ñ 5Ý ƒ A¿$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ XIøXXXÔÔ€ ôš«òX XIøÔÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝPresumably,€Melanie€Barr€is€Russell€Barrððs€wife,€who€supposedly€drove€the€Acura€Legend€during€the€timeÐ ° Ðperiod€when€it€was€in€Main€Street€Motorsððs€possession. d(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý&&&&)ÿÿ!dxdxabZc[Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€X€XXXÔÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑòòÓ  ÓóóÑ8€×+XXdìdÈ8ÑÑ€ûïÑà@m m ìàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌÔ_Ôßx€`[B2.jzÿ€`  `€€@ÿEW` 8ttxPˆð € xßÔ_ÔÌÌTIMOTHY€W.€BURROW,à  àà h àà À à)€€Ð `° Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àà ` àó óPlaintiff/Appellant,à h àà À àò ò)€€Sumner€Circuit€No.€18049„CÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ÌVS.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)€€Appeal€No.€01A01„9806„CV„00311Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ÌRUSSELL€E.€Ô_ÔBARRÔ_Ô,€Individuallyà À à)Ð è 8  Ðand€d/b/a€MAIN€STREET€MOTORS,à À à)Ð Ô$  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àà ` àó óDefendant/Appellee.à À àò ò)ó óÐ ¬ü  ÐÌÌà@ÖÖìàAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€OF€SUMNER€COUNTYˆÌà@ÑÑìàAT€Ô_ÔGALLATINÔ_Ô,€TENNESSEEˆÌà@= = ìàTHE€HONORABLE€THOMAS€Ô_ÔGOODALLÔ_Ô,€JUDGEˆÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òG.€KLINE€PRESTON,€IVó óÐ `° ÐNashville,€TennesseeÌAttorney€for€AppellantÌÌÌÌò òÔ_ÔROLLIEÔ_Ô€L.€Ô_ÔWOODALLÔ_Ôó óÐ Ê!  ÐNashville,€TennesseeÌAttorney€for€AppelleeÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òREVERSED€AND€REMANDEDÐ Ì*&* ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌó óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àò òALAN€E.€Ô_ÔHIGHERSÔ_Ô,€J.Ð ,2|-2 ÐÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€Ô_ÔW.S.Ô_ÔÌÌDAVID€R.€FARMER,€J.ó óà  àÐ Œ9Ü4: ÐÌÓÓà  àThis€lawsuit€arises€from€Timothy€Burrowððs€purchase€of€a€used€car€from€Russell€BarrÐ ^;®6< ÐÑûïÑâ âÑ8€€XXdæXXdì8Ñâ âÑ  ÑÔ_Ô(d/b/a€Main€Street€Motors),€where,€unbeknownst€to€Burrow,€significant€mechanicalÐ ° Ðproblems€that€greatly€affected€the€carððs€value€existed€at€the€time€of€sale.€€In€this€appeal,Ð pÀ ÐTimothy€Burrow€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€òòsua€sponteóó€involuntary€dismissal€of€his€claims€atÐ P   Ðtrial,€which€occurred€before€Burrow€was€afforded€the€opportunity€to€fully€present€the€factsÐ 0 € Ðand€his€evidence.€€Based€upon€the€following,€we€reverse€and€vacate€the€trial€courtððsÐ `  Ðdismissal,€and€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistent€withÐ ð@  Ðthis€opinion.Ð Ð  ÐÌà@BBìàò òòòFacts€and€Procedural€Historyóóó óˆÐ à ÐÌà  àThis€lawsuit€was€originally€commenced€in€the€Sumner€County€General€SessionsÐ P  ÐCourt€by€Burrowððs€filing€of€a€civil€warrant€against€Barr€(hereafter€either€ð ðBarrðð€or€ð ðMainÐ 0€ ÐStreet€Motorsðð),€whereby€Burrow€alleged€that€Main€Street€Motors€sold€to€Burrow€ð ða€1988Ð ` ÐAcura€Legend€...€on€or€about€April€12,€1997€...€with€defects€that€were€known€to€[Barr]€andÐ ð@ Ðwere€not€known€to€[Burrow].ðð€€Burrow€claimed,€among€other€things,€that€Barr€violated€theÐ Ð  ÐTennessee€Consumer€Protection€Act׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€(ð ðthe€TCPAðð),€and€sought€a€judgment€for€actualÐ °"  Ðdamages,׃ö ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€treble€damages,׃:×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€attorney€fees.׃~×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€After€Burrowððs€claims€were€dismissedÐ $à" Ðwith€prejudice€in€the€General€Sessions€Court€after€a€trial,€Burrow€appealed€to€the€SumnerÐ p&À!$ ÐCounty€Circuit€Court€for€a€òòde€novoóó€trial.€€In€the€circuit€court,€Barr€counterclaimed€for€theÐ ° Ðrecovery€of€any€damages€incurred,€including€reasonable€attorney€fees€and€costs,€thatÐ à Ðresulted€from€defending€this€action.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àPrior€to€the€circuit€court€trial,€Burrow€subpoenaed€three€witnesses:€€Steve€Bowman,Ð 0 € ÐTim€Durbin,€and€Melanie€Barr.׃!Ê×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Furthermore,€he€filed€a€witness€list€that€provided€that€heÐ `  Ðmay€call€any€or€all€of€the€following€witnesses:€€Burrow,€Barr,€Steve€Bowman,€Tim€Durbin,Ð ð@  ÐMelanie€Barr,€Rick€Meadows,€Phillip€Urrutia,€and€Tony€Adgent.€€On€May€21,€1998,€the€caseÐ Ð  Ðcame€to€be€heard€by€the€circuit€court,€at€which€time€each€party€presented€openingÐ ° Ðstatements,€and€Burrow€began€presentation€of€his€case€in€chief.€€At€this€time,€BurrowÐ à Ðpresented€testimony€from€both€Burrow€and€Steve€Bowman.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àDuring€the€course€of€Burrowððs€direct€examination€by€his€counsel,€Burrow€testifiedÐ 0€ Ðthat,€prior€to€April€12,€1997,€he€spoke€with€Tim€Durbin,€who€is€an€employee€at€Main€StreetÐ ` ÐMotors.€€Burrow€asked€what€kind€of€shape€the€1988€Acura€Legend€was€in,€and€DurbinÐ ð@ Ðstated€that€it€was€in€good€shape.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€On€April€12,€1997,€Burrow€went€to€Main€Street€MotorsÐ Ð  Ðand€met€with€Rick€Meadows,€who€is€another€Main€Street€Motors€employee.€€While€there,Ð °"  ÐBurrow€looked€at€another€vehicle,€a€Mercedes,€at€which€time€the€following€oral€exchangeÐ $à" Ðoccurred:Ð p&À!$ ÐÓÓà8  àà ` àAnd€Rick€Meadows€„„€I€said€to€Rick,€ð ðIððm€a€little€concerned€about€theÐ P( #& Ðmaintenance€of€the€car.ðð€€He€said,€ð ðYeah.ðð€€He€said,€ð ðThat€kind€of€concernsÐ @)$' Ðme,€too.ðð€€He€said,€ð ðWell,€you€know€how€much€youððll€have€to€pay€inÐ 0*€%( Ðmaintenance€on€an€Acura.ðð€€And€I€said,€ð ðHow€much?ðð€€And€he€said,Ð  +p&) Ðð ðNothing.ððÐ,`'*Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àAnd,€you€know,€I€realize€that€was€sales€puffing;€but€still,€it€wasÐ -P(+ Ðconsistent€with€Tim€Durbinððs€statement€that€it€was€a€good€car.Ðð-@),Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àSo€I€was€kind€of€eager€to€drive€the€car.€€And€also,€Mr.€MeadowsÐ à.0*- Ðvolunteered€information€that€they€had€bought€the€Acura€from€Gary€ForceÐ Ð/ +. Ð[Acura].ÐÀ0,/Ð Ð  Ðà@(('ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ ° Ðà8  àà ` àSo€then€I€thought,€well,€why€did€Gary€Force€sell€it?€€And€so€I€askedÐ  ð Ðhim€if€Gary€Force€only€sells€cars€that€they€donððt€want,€or€do€they€sell€all€theirÐ à Ðold€cars?€€He€said,€ð ðOh,€they€sell€all€of€them.ðð€€So€I€thought,€all€right,€thatððsÐ €Ð Ðfine,€it€could€still€be€an€excellent€car.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌÓ½ÓDuring€this€exchange,€the€1988€Acura€Legend€had€been€out€being€test€driven€by€anotherÐ P   Ðpotential€customer.€€After€the€car€was€returned,€Burrow€test€drove€it.€€€ð ðIt€drove€well.€€....€Ð 0 € Ð[I]t€really€ran€very€smoothly.ðð€€Meadows€did,€however,€inform€Burrow,€ð ðthereððs€a€CV€jointÐ `  Ðthat€needs€to€be€replaced.ðð€€Thereafter,€Burrow€negotiated€an€agreement,€whereby€ð ðtheÐ ð@  Ðfinal€deal€was:€€$5,400€if€they€fixed€the€CV€joint€and€if€they€put€stripes€on€it.€€....€€Plus€tax,Ð Ð  Ðit€was€$5,788.50.ðð€€€At€the€time€of€the€purchase,€Burrow€received€an€ð ðinvoice€and€bill€ofÐ ° Ðsaleðð€that€stated€ð ðAS„IS.ðð€€Moreover,€Burrow€signed€a€ð ðbuyers€guideðð€that€was€attached€toÐ à Ðthe€bill€of€sale,€which€stated:Ð pÀ ÐÓÓà8  àIMPORTANT:€Spoken€promises€are€difficult€to€enforce.€€Ask€the€dealer€to€putÐ P  Ðall€promises€in€writing.Ð@Ð Ð  Ðà@(('ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ 0€ Ðà8  àò òà ` àAS€IS€„€NO€WARRANTYó óÐ pÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àYOU€WILL€PAY€ALL€COSTS€FOR€ANY€REPAIRS.€€The€dealer€assumes€noÐ P Ðresponsibility€for€any€repairs€regardless€of€any€oral€statements€about€theÐ ð@ Ðvehicle.Ðà0Ð Ð  Ðà@(('ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ Ð  Ðà8  àPRE€PURCHASE€INSPECTION:€€ASK€THE€DEALER€IF€YOU€MAY€HAVEÐ À! ÐTHIS€VEHICLE€INSPECTED€BY€YOUR€MECHANIC€EITHER€ON€OR€OFFÐ °"  ÐTHE€LOT.Р#ð!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àSEE€THE€BACK€OF€THIS€FORM€for€important€additional€information,Ð €%Ð # Ðincluding€a€list€of€major€defects€that€may€occur€in€used€motor€vehicles.Ðp&À!$Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ%ÓThe€back€of€the€signed€ð ðbuyers€guideðð€stated,€ð ðBelow€is€a€list€of€some€major€defects€thatÐ P( #& Ðmay€occur€in€used€motor€vehicles,ðð€and€set€forth€an€exhaustive€list€of€potential€defects,Ð 0*€%( Ðincluding€transmission€and€suspension€problems.€€The€day€Burrow€purchased€the€vehicle,Ð ,`'* Ðhe€left€it€at€Main€Street€Motors€for€the€agreed€CV€joint€repair€and€the€stripe€work.€€ThreeÐ ð-@), Ðdays€later,€he€picked€up€the€vehicle€and,€while€the€engine€was€cold,€he€ð ðput€it€in€reverseÐ Ð/ +. Ð[and]€it€had€a€very€loud€soundðð€that€lasted€five€to€ten€seconds.€€€He€then€put€the€car€inÐ °1-0 Ðreverse€in€front€of€Rick€Meadows,€inquiring€what€the€noise€was,€to€which€Meadows€stated,Ð 3à.2 Ðð ðWell,€Iððve€never€heard€that€before.ðð€€At€that€point,€Burrow€recognized€that€he€didnððt€ð ðhaveÐ p5À04 Ðany€proof€that€it€didnððt€happen€just€now€or€yesterday,ðð€and€he€drove€away€with€the€car.€Ð P7 26 ÐThereafter,€the€problem€did€not€go€away,€and€the€sound€ð ðhappened€every€single€time€youÐ 09€48 Ðput€it€in€reverse€when€it€was€cold.ðð€€€Furthermore,€the€next€day€or€two€days€later,€BurrowÐ ° Ðnoticed€another€clicking€sound€that€occurred€when€the€engine€is€cold.€€As€soon€as€BurrowÐ à Ðwas€able,€he€contacted€Rick€Meadows€about€the€problems€and€requested€to€return€the€car.€Ð pÀ ÐUltimately,€however,€Main€Street€Motors€refused€to€allow€Burrow€to€rescind€the€purchase.€Ð P   ÐAfter€recalling€that€Main€Street€Motors€had€originally€purchased€the€vehicle€from€GaryÐ 0 € ÐForce€Acura,€Burrow€contacted€Gary€Force€Acura€and€learned€that€the€problem,€which€wasÐ `  Ða€transmission€problem,€had€existed€even€before€Main€Street€Motors€purchased€theÐ ð@  Ðvehicle.€€Burrow€further€learned€that€other€problems€existed€with€the€car€that€had€not€beenÐ Ð  Ðrepaired,€including€among€other€things€the€need€for€ball€joints€to€be€replaced.€€Ultimately,Ð ° ÐBurrow€traded€in€the€Legend€eight€months€after€he€had€purchased€it€(and€after€he€hadÐ à Ðincreased€its€total€mileage€by€approximately€10,000€miles)€for€$1,500.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àAt€the€end€of€Burrowððs€direct€examination,€Burrow€explained€to€the€circuit€court€thatÐ 0€ Ðhis€ð ðmain€witnessðð€had€not€been€present€at€the€general€sessions€trial,€and€that€he€hadnððtÐ ` Ðexpected€to€prevail€if€his€ð ðmain€witness€did€not€show€up.ðð€€Thereafter,€Barrððs€counsel€beganÐ ð@ Ðcross„examining€Burrow.€€Before€he€was€through,€however,€and€(more€importantly)€priorÐ Ð  Ðto€Burrow€having€any€opportunity€for€his€counsel€to€conduct€any€redirect€examination,€theÐ °"  Ðcircuit€court€judge€curtailed€cross„examination,€stating€the€following:Ð $à" ÐÓÓà8  àI€have€a€suggestion.€€[Burrow]€has€said€that€he€has€a€very€good€witness€thatÐ p&À!$ Ðwas€not€heard.€€Iððd€like€to€hear€from€that€witness,€then€I€will€allow€you€toÐ `'°"% Ðcross„examine€more€if€you€need€to.ÐP( #&Ð Ð  ÐÌÓo5ÓNeither€party€expressed€any€objection€to€this€procedure,€and,€therefore,€Burrowððs€counselÐ 0*€%( Ðcalled€Steve€Bowman€to€testify.€€During€direct€examination,€Bowman€testified€that€he€wasÐ ,`'* Ða€service€manager€at€Gary€Force€Acura,€that€he€was€personally€familiar€with€the€1988Ð ð-@), ÐAcura€Legend€that€was€the€subject€of€this€suit,€and€that€the€carððs€transmission€made€a€loudÐ Ð/ +. Ðgrinding€sound€that€lasted€10€to€15€seconds€when€he€had€moved€the€car€prior€to€its€saleÐ °1-0 Ðto€Main€Street€Motors.€€Gary€Force€Acura€ð ðhad€already€checked€the€car€outðð€and€had€comeÐ 3à.2 Ðup€with€a€$2,300€estimate€for€varying€repair€work,€òòexcludingóó€the€internal€transmissionÐ p5À04 Ðð ðgrinding.ðð€€Repairing€the€transmission€was€estimated€to€cost€over€$2,000€more.€€BasedÐ P7 26 Ðupon€the€carððs€overall€condition,€Bowman€recommended€that€Gary€Force€AcuraÐ 09€48 Ðð ðwholesaleðð€the€car,€rather€than€put€the€car€on€its€lot€for€sale.€€During€direct€examination,Ð ° ÐBowman€also€opined€that€the€ð ðrepairsðð€of€which€he€was€aware€would€ð ðaffect€the€value€ofÐ à Ðthe€vehicle.ðð€€He€further€opined€that€the€grinding€transmission€problem€that€appeared€whenÐ pÀ Ðthe€engine€is€cold€would€not€have€disappeared€for€the€subsequent€one€month€period€ofÐ P   Ðtime€during€which€Main€Street€Motors€had€the€car€in€its€possession.€Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àThe€transcript€of€proceedings€from€the€May€21,€1998€trial€does€not€indicate€whetherÐ ð@  ÐBurrowððs€counsel€completed€his€direct€examination€of€Steve€Bowman.€€The€following,Ð Ð  Ðhowever,€is€the€remaining€exchange€that€occurred€immediately€following€BowmanððsÐ ° Ðtestimony€on€direct€examination:Ð à ÐÓÓà8  àà ` àTHE€COURT:€€I€think€we€need€to€take€a€break.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(Break€in€proceedings.)ÐP Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àTHE€COURT:€€Mr.€Woodall€[who€was€Barrððs€trial€counsel],€Iððve€heardÐ 0€ Ðenough€proof€to€make€a€decision,€and€I€dismiss€both€actions.€€I€hope€itððs€notÐ  p Ðconsidered€that€Iððm€tired€or€weary,€but€this€doesnððt€fit€into€the€criteria€of€thatÐ ` Ðexhibited€under€the€Consumer€Protection€Act.ÐPÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€original€action€is€dismissed€and€the€cross„action€is€dismissed.€€Mr.Ð à0 ÐWoodall,€would€you€prepare€the€order,€please?ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àMR.€WOODALL:€€Certainly,€sir.а" Ð Ð  ÐÌà@!! ìà(End€of€Proceedings.)ˆÐ $à" ÐÌÓ°>ÓAccordingly,€on€June€1,€1998,€the€circuit€court€entered€a€judgment€that€provided:Ð p&À!$ ÐÓÓà8  àà ` àAfter€hearing€the€testimony€presented€and€considering€the€exhibitsÐ P( #& Ðadmitted€into€evidence,€the€Court€was€of€the€opinion€and€found€that€...Ð @)$' ÐBurrow€take€nothing€from€...€Barr€...€;€that€...€Barr€...€take€nothing€from€...Ð 0*€%( ÐBurrow;€and€that€the€costs€of€this€cause€should€be€adjudged€against€...Ð  +p&) ÐBurrow.Ð,`'*Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€and€DECREED€by€theÐ -P(+ ÐCourt€that€this€action€should€be,€and€is€hereby,€dismissed€as€to€all€partiesÐ ð-@), Ðwith€all€costs€of€this€cause€taxed€against€...€Burrow,€for€which€execution€mayÐ à.0*- Ðissue,€if€necessary.ÐÐ/ +.Ð Ð  ÐÌÓïBÓOn€appeal,€Burrow€contends€that€ð ðthe€trial€court€erred€in€òòsua€sponteóó€ordering€theÐ °1-0 Ðinvoluntary€dismissalðð€of€Burrowððs€claims,€and€further€contends€that€ð ðthe€evidenceÐ 3à.2 Ðpresented€at€trial€preponderated€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision.ððÐ p5À04 ÐÌà@ìì*ìàˆÐ 09€48 Ðà@MM&ìàò òòòAnalysisóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àIn€Burrowððs€brief,€he€states,Ð pÀ ÐÓÓà8  àThe€trial€judge€dismissed€the€action€before€[Burrow]€had€completedÐ P   Ðpresenting€his€proof.€€In€fact,€[Burrow]€still€had€two€witnesses€underÐ @  Ðsubpoena€and€[Barr]€who€remained€to€be€called€to€testify.€€The€trial€court€.€.Ð 0 € Ð.€dismissed€[Burrowððs]€action€prior€to€the€presentation€of€all€[Burrowððs]€proofÐ  p  Ð.€.€.€.€€[Burrow]€had€not€rested€or€closed€his€proof.Ð` Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ6HÓIt€is€apparent€from€our€review€of€the€record€that€Burrow€indeed€had€not€rested€or€completedÐ ð@  Ðhis€case€in€chief.€€Quite€simply€stated,€Burrow€was€not€afforded€an€opportunity€to€attemptÐ Ð  Ðto€fully€present€the€facts€and€his€evidence€(subject€to€objections€as€to€the€admissibility€ofÐ ° Ðevidence).€€The€trial€judge€simply€curtailed€any€further€opportunity€for€Burrow€either€toÐ à Ðattempt€to€introduce€additional€testimony€prior€to€the€completion€of€his€case€in€chief,€orÐ pÀ Ðeven€to€explain€why€further€testimony€might€be€necessary€and/or€appropriate.€€In€reviewingÐ P  Ðthe€propriety€of€the€trial€courtððs€òòsua€sponteóó€dismissal€at€this€stage€in€the€proceedings,€weÐ 0€ Ðfind€ourselves€guided,€in€part,€by€òòHarris€v.€Baptist€Memorial€Hospitalóó,€574€S.W.2d€730Ð ` Ð(Tenn.€1978),€wherein€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€reviewed€the€propriety€of€a€trialÐ ð@ Ðcourtððs€òòsua€sponteóó€dismissal€after€hearing€only€opening€statements€from€counsel.€€InÐ Ð  ÐòòHarrisóó,€our€supreme€court€stated€the€following:Ð °"  ÐÓÓà8  àà ` àAlthough€Rule€41.02€does€not€expressly€so€provide,€we€are€of€theÐ $à" Ðopinion€that€òòa€trial€court€mayóó€under€certain€circumstances€and€uponÐ €%Ð # Ðadequate€grounds€therefor,òò€òòsua€sponteóó€order€the€involuntary€dismissal€of€anÐ p&À!$ Ðactionóó.€€However,€this€power€must€be€exercised€most€sparingly€and€withÐ `'°"% Ðgreat€care€that€the€right€of€the€respective€parties€to€a€hearing€shall€not€beÐ P( #& Ðdenied€or€impaired.€€It€must€be€remembered€that€Rule€41.02(3),€òòTennesseeÐ @)$' ÐRules€of€Civil€Procedureóó,€provides€that€all€dismissals,€except€those€for€lackÐ 0*€%( Ðof€jurisdiction,€improper€venue€or€lack€of€an€indispensable€party,€shallÐ  +p&) Ðoperate€as€an€adjudication€upon€the€merits€unless€the€court€in€its€order€ofÐ ,`'* Ðdismissal€otherwise€provides.€€In€short,€the€occasions€for€the€proper€exerciseÐ -P(+ Ðof€this€power€are€considered€by€this€Court€to€be€few€indeed.Ðð-@),Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWe€are€of€the€opinion,€however,€that€the€trial€judges€of€this€State€areÐ Ð/ +. Ðnot€authorized€to€order€the€involuntary€dismissal€of€an€action€at€trial€upon€theÐ À0,/ Ðsole€basis€of€the€opening€statements€of€counsel.€€Such€a€practice€was€notÐ °1-0 Ðrecognized€in€this€State€prior€to€the€adoption€of€the€òòTennessee€Rules€of€CivilÐ  2ð-1 ÐProcedureóó€and€we€find€nothing€in€those€rules€to€countenance€such€a€practiceÐ 3à.2 Ðnow.€€The€applicable€rule€is€Rule€41.02(2),€governing€involuntary€dismissalsÐ €4Ð/3 Ðat€trial,€which€provides:Ðp5À04Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð à"After€the€plaintiff,€in€an€action€tried€by€the€court€without€a€jury,€hasÐ P7 26 Ðòòcompleted€the€presentation€of€his€evidenceóó,€the€defendant,€withoutÐ @837 Ðwaiving€his€right€to€offer€evidence€in€the€event€the€motion€is€notÐ 09€48 Ðgranted,€may€move€for€dismissal€on€the€ground€that€upon€the€factsÐ  :p59 Ðand€the€law€the€plaintiff€has€shown€no€right€to€relief.€€The€court€as€trierÐ ° Ðof€the€facts€may€then€determine€them€and€render€judgment€againstÐ  ð Ðthe€plaintiff€or€may€decline€to€render€any€judgment€until€the€close€ofÐ à Ðall€the€evidence;€in€the€event€judgment€is€rendered€at€the€òòclose€ofÐ €Ð Ðplaintiff's€evidenceóó,€the€court€shall€make€findings€of€fact€if€requestedÐ pÀ Ðin€writing€within€three€days€after€the€announcement€of€the€court'sÐ ` ° Ðdecision."ÐP  ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àClearly,€this€rule€contemplates€that€the€plaintiff's€evidence€shall€beÐ 0 € Ðheard€and€evaluated€by€the€court€prior€to€an€involuntary€dismissal€order€atÐ  p  Ðtrial.€€We€note€also€that€Rule€50.01€governing€the€granting€of€a€directedÐ `  Ðverdict€in€a€jury€trial€also€limits€the€power€of€the€court€to€do€so€to€that€point€inÐ P  Ðthe€trial€"€.€.€.€€at€the€òòclose€of€the€evidenceóó€offered€by€an€opposing€party€or€atÐ ð@  Ðthe€close€of€the€case."Ðà0 Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àOf€critical€importance€here€is€the€nature€of€opening€statements.€€TheyÐ À Ðare€intended€merely€to€inform€the€trial€judge€and€jury,€in€a€general€way,€of€theÐ ° Ðnature€of€the€case€and€to€outline,€generally,€the€facts€each€party€intends€toÐ  ð Ðprove.€€Such€statements€do€not€amount€to€stipulations€and€certainly€are€notÐ à Ða€substitute€for€the€pleadings€or€for€evidence.€€See€75€Am.Jur.2d€Trials€s€202Ð €Ð Ð(1974).€€It€is€easy€to€see€that€an€òòinvoluntary€dismissal€upon€the€basis€of€theÐ pÀ Ðopening€statements€of€counsel€alone€may€effectively€deny€the€litigants€theÐ `° Ðopportunity€to€be€heard€or€to€fully€present€the€facts€and€evidence€in€the€caseóó.€Ð P  ÐFor€this€reason,€we€are€unwilling€to€expand€the€provisions€of€Rule€41.02€toÐ @ Ðauthorize€trial€judges€to€order€involuntary€dismissals€upon€openingÐ 0€ Ðstatements€only.Ð pÐ Ð  Ðà  àÌÓêNÓ574€S.W.2d€at€731„32€(emphasis€added).€€While€òòHarrisóó€clearly€recognizes€ð ðthat€a€trial€courtÐ P Ðmay€.€.€.€òòsua€sponteóó€order€the€involuntary€dismissal€of€an€action,ðð€it€further€sets€forth€theÐ à0 Ðproposition€that€a€litigant€should€not€be€denied€the€opportunity€to€be€heard€or€to€fullyÐ À! Ðpresent€the€facts€and€evidence€in€the€case.€€While€òòHarrisóó€undoubtedly€involved€a€moreÐ  #ð! Ðegregious€denial€of€a€plaintiffððs€opportunity€to€fully€present€the€facts€and€evidence,€weÐ €%Ð # Ðnonetheless€find€that,€òòunder€the€circumstances€of€this€caseóó,€the€trial€court€similarly€erredÐ `'°"% Ðby€denying€Burrow€the€opportunity€to€fully€present€the€facts€and€his€evidence.Ð @)$' ÐÌà  àà@ìì*ìàˆÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ  :p59 Ðà@ËË%ìàò òòòConclusionóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€hereby€reverse€the€trial€courtððs€dismissal,€and€remand€this€case€toÐ pÀ Ðthe€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€on€appeal€areÐ P   Ðtaxed€to€Barr,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð 0 € ÐÌÌÌÓÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ° Ðóóà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àHIGHERS,€J.Ð  ð ÐÌÌÌCONCUR:Ð `° ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ  p ÐCRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.Ð ` ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ Ð  ÐFARMER,€J.