ÿWPCK  n¥ <¸·±2‹$(-xØŽØ" \@^ÅYÝ´rmj´à$‰Øöó8 íÊPgÖŸ˜‰NXfðâd&ޝû¼¨žx5ßu\¡'ù»ÏcÔ ûmJS7pUÇ€÷¿:$Pû‹„á -'H,}Dœú˜TO§[ͺw‹›&ñÉiÍ­ñÊ´LVÐ Ö$™îqG™0‹±ø]2.ßàòhuŽ\EƒU,ÇÕR\ʤúül -fÚp©±B8ûÏ)Ô`±7RJ’*ó·JSöŒ“Bœ…‚«íBL²¥ƒ¾¼4gTnù¼‡—EØ?Ž,d¸Ò]œàej$ìBïÎ[$/­ ì9ªà¸qݪ_w D¢þ²š0c‘¥T³M>—@¹·*8ܦMœ ½P¢Yj³L!6¾ô v>®E õˆ°t9ûLÓü«±—œ(7Ül¢xHPBZ¾¢÷¥€´²ž6q£8Õ.§Ê$} [ AƒütÔDÚ¹Êõ¼vE0qmô]zƒ°,SÄÝ^rñ\pö¦vëwdÛ™B˨ý8ä8ô-—Ä4"ÿ xbøQŽdò”S# º4 î¬<[išÈ]9iQ7UãÿŽX"f–›+ÙÞûß~HÆÐÞÑ_®(»¼ÐŸØûA*# LUNW %¥ 0(«4Óçöw@þUN> 0DŒÐU:ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ AQÆa B' 0DD 0Dˆ ˆ D/Ì Ì Bû D3 ˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLlÎ'Ör Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡kDJ&3|x$     E   D D  Ó€$ (ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý üÝ ƒ ¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€ XkwXXXÔÔ€ tJX XkwÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€ XkwX tJÔÐ  ÐÌFebruary€24,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular! #$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 d(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd""""'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýñ ñ›ñ ñÓ  ÓÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ‡ XçŸXXXÔÑ7€1XXdìXXdð7Ññ$ ññ ñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` 8ttxP°ð  rßñ ññ$ ññ$ ññ$ ññ ñ›ñ ñà@} } ìàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌñ$ ñœßt€ )>.*jx8E` `€€@Eå` 8ttxP8 ð E tß›ñ$ ñà@úú$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð à ÐÌóóÌMIDWEST€BRONZE,€INC.,€€€€à h àà À à)Ð ` ° Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óPlaintiff/Appellant,à  àà h àà À àò ò)à  àó óMontgomery€Chancery€No.€95„78„124Ð @  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)Ð 0 € Ðv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ð  p  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àó óAppeal€No.€01A01„9707„CH„00358ò òÐ `  ÐOUTLAW€AIRCRAFT€SALES,€INC.,à À à)Ð P  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óDefendant/Appellant.à  àà h àà À àò ò)Ð à0  ÐÌÌÌó óÌÌà0  àà ° àà@uuì(#(#àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CHANCERY€COURT€OF€MONTGOMERY€COUNTYˆÌà@@@ìàAT€CLARKSVILLE,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌÌÌÌà@„ „ ìàTHE€HONORABLE€ALEX€W.€DARNELL,€JUDGE€ˆÌÌÌÌòòÌÌFor€the€Plaintiff/Appellantóó:òòà  àà h àà À àFor€the€Defendant/Appelleeóó:Ð À! ÐÌDouglas€Berry€€€€€€€€€à ¸ àà  àà h àà À àGregory€D.€Smith€€Ð  #ð! ÐNashville,€Tennessee€€à  àà h àà À àClarksville,€Tennessee€Ð $à" ÐÌÌÌò òà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àAFFIRMED€IN€PART,€REVERSEDà Ð àÐ @)$' Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àIN€PART,€AND€REMANDEDÌÌó óÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.ÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌÌALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ÌÔ#†X1XX X矆#ÔÐ  @837 ÐØØÓÓÑ7€1XXdìXXdì7ÑÑ  ќ̛à@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ˆØ М̛à  àThis€is€a€breach€of€contract€case.€€Ô‡ XçŸXXX1ÔThe€plaintiff€entered€into€a€contract€to€purchase€an€airplane,Ð 8 ˆ Ðsubject€to€inspection.€€A€deposit€was€paid€on€the€airplane.€€Upon€inspection,€the€plaintiff€foundÏdefects€and€rejected€the€aircraft.€€The€defendant€sought€to€remedy€the€defects€and€refused€to€returnÏthe€deposit.€€The€plaintiff€filed€suit€for€breach€of€contract€and€under€the€Tennessee€ConsumerÏProtection€Act.€€The€trial€court€awarded€the€plaintiff€a€judgment€for€the€amount€of€the€deposit,€butÏpermitted€the€defendant€to€set„off€monies€it€had€spent€to€modify€the€airplane€in€anticipation€of€saleÏto€the€plaintiff.€€It€declined€to€award€prejudgment€interest€or€damages€under€the€Consumer€ProtectionÏAct.€€The€plaintiff€appeals.€€We€œreverse›€in€part€the€award€of€set„off€damages,€reverse€the€denial€ofÏprejudgment€interest,€and€affirm€the€denial€of€damages€under€the€Consumer€Protection€Act.Ô#†X1XX X矉 #ÔÐ X¨ Ðà  àOn€December€29,€1994,€the€plaintiff,€Midwest€Bronze,€Inc.€("Midwest"),€entered€into€aÏwritten€contract€(the€ð ðAgreementðð)€with€the€defendant,€Outlaw€Aircraft€Sales,€Inc.,€("Outlaw")€forÏthe€purchase€of€a€1976€Cessna€182P€aircraft€for€$62,650,€subject€to€inspection€by€Midwest.€€TheÏpurchase€price€included€the€installation€of€additional€equipment€requested€by€œMidwest.€€The›€contractÏrequired€Midwest€to€make€a€$10,000€earnest€money€deposit,€which€was€delivered€on€December€29.€ÏOn€that€date,€the€airplane€was€being€repaired€and€a€complete€inspection€was€impossible.€ÏConsequently,€the€contract€provided€for€a€later€inspection€and€test€flight.€€The€pertinent€provisionsÏof€the€Agreement€state:ÌÓ*°,XƒXŒ –X°œX*ÓÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.à Œ àAcceptance€of€Aircraft.€€On€or€about€òòDecember€29,€1994óó,€SellerÐ ø)H%( Ðdelivered€the€Aircraft€to€òòClarksville,€Tennesseeóó€where€PurchaserÐ ä*4&) Ðconducted€a€pre„purchase€inspection€.€.€.€.€€Purchaser€shall€pay€for€costÏof€its€pre„purchase€inspection.€€Purchaser€shall€notify€Seller€in€writingÏby€use€of€Exhibit€B€of€Purchaserððs€acceptance€(subject€to€theÏcorrection€by€Seller€of€any€listed€deficiencies)€or€òòrejection€of€theÐ ”.ä)- ÐAircraft€upon€completion€of€pre„purchase€inspection€and€test€flight.€óóÐ €/Ð*. ÐShould€Seller€refuse€to€correct€the€discrepancies,€if€any,€PurchaserÏshall€have€œ[the]›€right,€at€its€election,€to€reject€acceptance€of€Aircraft.€ÏAcceptance€or€òòrejection€of€the€Aircraft€shall€be€at€Purchaserððs€soleÐ D2”-1 Ðjudgmentóó.€€If€Aircraft€is€not€acceptable,€this€Agreement€will€be€nullÐ 03€.2 Ðand€œvoided,›€and€the€parties€œshal›€[sic]€have€no€further€liability€herein,Ïexcept€the€òòearnest€money€deposit€shall€be€promptly€returned€in€full€toÐ 5X04 МPurchaseróó.€(emphasis€in€original)Ðô5D15` x` x ЛÌÓ<Óà  àœñ ñTñ ññ ñheñ ññ ññ ñwoñ ñ›€›dayñ ñsñ ñ›€afñ ññ ñAfñ ñter›€the€Agreement€was€signed,€Joe€Pendergraft€with€Midwest€Bronze€wrote€a€letter€to€theÏFirst€National€Bank€of€Clinton€in€Clinton,€Missouri,€detailing€the€computation€of€the€purchase€œÐ  ¤9ô49  Ðñ ñprice›€and€the€additional€equipment€to€be€installed.€€The€letter€states:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àComputation€for€final€price€is€as€follows:Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAsking€price€„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„€$63,500.00Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNegotiated€price,€but€seller€must€add€equipment:€„„„„„„„„„„€$62,250.00Ð ` x` x ÐÓ9°,XƒXŒ m h•X°,XƒXŒ –X9Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà1.à8m Œ LŒ LàJPI€Instruments€EDM„700€Scanner:Ð$ tm km k ÐÓE"° ,XƒXŒ m hƒXçÈ‘X°,XƒXŒ m h•XEÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàà8m Œ LŒ LàTrade„A„Plane€Price:€„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„à ç à$1,695.00Ð `m km k Ðà  àà8 ` àà8Œ ` Ð ` Ð àà8m Œ ¤Œ ¤àEstimate€10€hours€labor€@€$40/hour€„„„„„„à ç à€òò+$400.00óóÐü L m Ãm à ÐÓQ%° ,XƒXŒ m / À‚Xç X° ,XƒXŒ m hƒXçÈ‘XQÓà  àà ` àà Œ àà m à€à / àTotal€for€JPI€Scanner€„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„à ç à$2,095.00Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà ` àà Œ à2.à m àTanis€6€cylinder€engine€heater:Ð À  ÐÓT%° ,XƒXŒ m / À‚X} X° ,XƒXŒ m / À‚Xç XTÓà  àà ` àà Œ àà m àTrade„A„Plane€Price:€„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„à } à$486.00Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àà ` àà Œ àà m àEstimate€6€hours€labor€@€$40/hour€„„„„„„„„à } àòò+240.00Ð ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àà Œ àà m àà / àóóTotal€for€Tanis€heater€„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„à } à$726.00Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àà ` àTOTAL€ADDITIONS€TO€EQUIPMENT:€€ò òòò$2,821.00€(Equipment€has€been€added€Ð \¬ Ðà  àà ` àto€spec€sheet:€€Exhibit€A)óóó óà8 À àà8À—À—àÐLœ?? ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àSeller€to€add€VOX€intercom,€with€jacks€for€front€seat,€and€„„„€òò+400.00óó€Ð$t` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àan€extension€ð ðplug€inðð€box€for€passengers€in€back€seat.Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àBuyer€to€pay.Ð ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àà Œ àò ò€€€€€€€TOTAL€SELLING€PRICE:à p àà } à€€€€€€€€$62,650.00ó óà Ð àÐ Ô$ ÐÌà  àà ` àòòTOTAL€SAVINGS:óóÐ ¬ü Ðà  àà ` àà Œ àAsking€Price€of€$63,500€less€Final€Price€of€$62,250€„„€$1,250.00**à Ð àÐ ˜è Ðà  àà ` àà Œ àà m à**Computations€do€not€include€$400.00€for€installing€VOX€intercom.Ìà  àà ` àà Œ àà m à€€€€Seller€to€Install€Additional€Equipment€„„„„„„„„„„„„„òò$2,821.00óóà Ð àÐ pÀ Ðà  àà ` àà Œ àà m à€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Total€Savings€to€Buyer€„„„„„„„„„„„„„„„€$4,071.00à Ð àÐ \ ¬ Ðà  àà ` àÌÓÓThe€letter€indicates€further€that€the€additional€equipment€would€be€installed€prior€to€the€pre„purchaseÏinspection.€€It€notes€specifically€œthat:€ð ðparagraph›€4€of€the€contract€allows€the€buyer€to€list€allÏdeficiencies€found,€and€seller€shall€correct.€€If€œñ ñððñ ññ ñð ðñ ñseller›€should€refuse€to€correct€the€œdiscrepancies,ñ ñððñ ñ›œñ ñððñ ñ›Ïbuyer€has€an€option€to€refuse€the€œplane.ðð›Ìà  àAfter€the€additional€equipment€was€installed,€the€aircraft€was€transported€to€Hendersonville,ÏNorth€Carolina€for€inspection.€€Outlaw€paid€for€transportation€for€the€pre„purchase€inspection.€ÏAerolina€Incorporated€conducted€the€pre„purchase€inspection€in€Hendersonville€on€February€9,€1995.€ÏThe€inspection€revealed€œseventeen›€problems€with€the€airplane,€including€an€engine€compressionÏproblem€requiring€extensive€repairs.€€Midwest's€president€informed€Outlaw€verbally€and€in€writingÏthat€he€had€decided€to€reject€the€airplane€because€of€these€findings.€€Midwest€then€demanded€theÏreturn€of€the€$10,000€deposit.€€Outlaw€took€the€position€that,€under€the€contract,€it€was€entitled€toÏattempt€to€correct€the€deficiencies.€€It€refused€to€refund€the€money,€and€Midwest€filed€this€lawsuit.€Ïà  àMidwest's€complaint€requested€return€of€the€$10,000€deposit,€prejudgment€interest€on€theÏdeposit€amount,€and€damages€under€the€Tennessee€Consumer€Protection€Act,€Tennessee€CodeÐ ,:|5: ÐAnnotated€€ðððð€47„18„101€to€121.€€In€the€claim€under€the€Consumer€Protection€Act,€Midwest€allegedÏthat€Outlaw's€failure€to€return€the€deposit€constituted€an€unfair€or€deceptive€practice.€€See€Tenn.€CodeÏAnn.€€ðð€47„18„104€(Supp.€1998).Ìà  àAt€the€bench€trial,€Outlaw€argued€that€the€intent€of€the€Agreement€was€to€provide€Outlaw€anÏopportunity€to€correct€the€listed€deficiencies€prior€to€Midwestððs€decision€to€reject€the€aircraft.€ÏOutlawððs€witnesses€testified€that€the€deficiencies€listed€by€Midwest€could€be€remedied.€€MidwestÏargued€that€the€Agreement€gave€Midwest€unfettered€discretion€to€reject€the€aircraft,€withoutÏaffording€Outlaw€an€opportunity€to€correct€any€deficiencies.€€It€sought€a€full€refund€of€the€$10,000Ïearnest€money.Ìà  àMidwestððs€representative,€Joe€Pendergraft,€acknowledged€at€trial€that€Outlaw€installedÏadditional€equipment€on€the€aircraft€at€his€request.€€Pendergraft€explained€that€he€is€blind€in€one€eye,Ïand€ð ðasked€to€have€some€controls€put€onto€the€engine€and€„„€so€that€I€could€feel€more€comfortableÏif€something€were€going€wrong€with€the€engine€flying€with€one€œeye.ðð€€In›€addition€to€this€extraÏequipment,€Pendergraft€requested€a€special€engine€heater,€explaining,€ð ðI€fly€in€the€ice€and€snow€a€lot,Ïand€you€put€that€œon›€there€to€warm€the€engine€up€before€you€take€œoff.ðð€€Pendergraft›€noted€that€heÏcould€have€purchased€the€aircraft€ð ðless€the€add„ons,ðð€but€instead€ð ðnegotiated€a€price€forðð€the€œadd„ons.›Ìà  àAfter€the€trial,€the€trial€court€awarded€Midwest€the€$10,000€deposit.€€However,€Outlaw€wasÏpermitted€to€set„off€the€cost€of€transportation€for€the€pre„purchase€inspection€and€the€cost€of€theÏadditional€equipment,€leaving€a€total€award€to€Midwest€of€$6,950.€€Ô‡ XWüXXXqRÔThe€trial€court€declined€to€awardÐ à%0!$ Ðprejudgment€interest€and€made€no€award€of€damages€or€attorneyððs€fees€under€the€TennesseeÏConsumer€Protection€Act.€€Ô#†XqRXX XWü41#ÔFrom€this€decision,€Midwest€now€appeals.Ô‡ XWüXXXqRÔÐ À)%( Ðà  àOn€appeal,€Midwest€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€permitting€Outlaw€to€set„off€the€costÏof€transportation€to€the€inspection€site€and€the€cost€of€installing€the€additional€equipment€requestedÏby€Midwest.€€Midwest€maintains€that€Outlaw€did€not€plead€set„off,€and€that€there€is€no€provision€inÏthe€Agreement€allowing€set„off€of€costs€for€modifications€made€at€the€purchaserððs€request.€€MidwestÏalso€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€not€awarding€prejudgment€interest.€€Finally,€MidwestÏcontends€that€it€was€entitled€to€damages,€including€attorneyððs€fees€and€treble€damages,€under€theÏTennessee€Consumer€Protection€Act.€Ô#†XqRXX XWüJ2#Ô€€Ð 7P26 МР 9P48 Ðñ ñ›à  àWe€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€òòde€novoóó,€with€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€theÐ ° Ðfactual€findings€of€the€trial€court.€€œò òòòSee€ó óóóTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).›€€No€such€presumption€of€correctnessÐ ˆØ Ðattaches€to€the€trial€courtððs€conclusions€of€law.€€òòò òÔ‡ X'æXXXÁkÔSee€Carvell€v.€Bottomsó óóó,€900€S.W.2d€23,€26€(Tenn.Ð `° Ð1995).Ô#†XÁkXX X'æK6#ÔÐ ` ° Ðà  àMidwest€alleges€first€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€set„off€for€the€cost€of€modificationsÏit€requested€and€for€the€cost€of€transport€to€the€site€of€the€pre„purchase€inspection.€€Midwest€contendsÏthat€the€claim€of€set„off€was€not€properly€pled,€and€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€the€reductionÏin€damages.€€Ìà  àIn€its€original€Answer,€Outlaw€alleged€"[t]he€Defendant€specifically€pleads€accord€andÏsatisfaction,€and€set„off€in€amounts€to€be€determined€at€a€subsequent€time."€€Outlaw€then€filed€anÏAmended€Answer€that€did€not€mention€set„off.€€Midwest€argues€that€the€Amended€AnswerÏsuperseded€the€original€Answer,€and€that€consequently€Outlaw€failed€to€plead€set„off.€€€OutlawÏmaintains€that€the€Amended€Answer€supplemented€the€original€Answer,€rather€than€superseding€it.€ÏOutlaw€also€notes€that€evidence€of€set„off€was€admitted€at€trial€without€objection€by€Midwest.€€Ìà  àThe€trial€record€in€this€case€contains€descriptions€and€costs€of€the€additional€items€installedÏin€the€aircraft€before€inspection.€€Midwest€has€pointed€to€no€place€in€the€record€in€which€it€objectedÏto€the€introduction€of€such€evidence.€€Regardless€of€whether€Outlawððs€original€Answer€pleading€set„¼off€was€superseded€or€supplemented€by€the€Amended€Answer,€clearly€the€issue€of€set„off€was€triedÏwithout€objection.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€15.02.€€The€award€of€set„off€will€not€be€reversed€on€thisÐ &`!$ Ðbasis.€Ìà  àMidwest€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€permitting€set„off€because€the€Agreement€did€not€Ïspecifically€provide€that€Outlaw€would€be€permitted€to€set„off€the€cost€of€the€additional€equipmentÏinstalled€at€Midwestððs€request.€€The€trial€court€ruled€that€Midwest€could€reject€the€aircraft€and€recoupÏits€earnest€money,€but€permitted€set„off€of€these€costs€because€Midwestððs€right€to€reject€ð ðmust€beÏtempered€by€equity.ðð€€Ìà  à€In€the€letter€written€by€Pendergraft€the€day€after€execution€of€the€Agreement,€he€clearlyÏcontemplates€that€the€equipment€would€be€added€prior€to€his€pre„purchase€inspection.€€He€describesÏin€his€testimony€negotiating€a€separate€price€for€the€additional€equipment,€which€was€then€added€intoÏthe€total€negotiated€purchase€price.€€However,€the€trial€testimony€does€not€address€whether€OutlawÐ €8Ð38 Ðcould€recoup€the€cost€of€the€additional€equipment€upon€resale€of€the€aircraft.€€Pendergraft€hadÏOutlaw€install€additional€controls€to€accommodate€his€blindness€in€one€eye,€and€a€special€engineÏheater€for€flying€in€ice€and€snow.€€It€is€conceivable€that€the€nature€of€the€specialized€equipmentÏwould€make€it€difficult€for€Outlaw€to€recoup€its€cost€upon€resale.€€However,€the€burden€was€onÏOutlaw€to€establish€its€losses€and€damages.€€Generally,€the€party€claiming€setoff€has€the€burden€ofÏestablishing€the€right€to€setoff.€€ò òòòPolk€v.€Torrenceó óóó,€œ218€Tenn.€680,€405€S.W.2d€575,€576€(1966).€€›€HadÐ è 8  ÐOutlaw€established€that€it€would€likely€not€recoup€the€cost€of€the€equipment€upon€resale,€setoff€œmight›Ïbe€justified.€€However,€in€the€absence€of€such€evidence,€we€are€compelled€to€conclude€that€the€recordÏdoes€not€support€the€award€of€setoff.€€The€award€of€setoff€damages€to€Outlaw€for€the€cost€of€theÏadded€equipment€must€be€reversed.€€However,€since€the€Agreement€provides€that€Midwest€wouldÏpay€for€the€cost€of€the€inspection€the€award€of€setoff€for€the€cost€of€transporting€is€affirmed.€€Ìà  àMidwest€also€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€award€prejudgment€interest.€ÏPrejudgment€interest€is€available€in€cases€where€the€amount€of€the€debt€is€certain.€€Tennessee€CodeÏAnnotated€ðð€47-14-123€provides€that€prejudgment€interest€may€be€awarded€as€an€element€of€damagesÏ"in€accordance€with€the€principles€of€equity€at€any€rate€not€in€excess€of€a€maximum€effective€rate€ofÏten€percent€(10%)€per€annum."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€€ðð€47„14„123€(1995);€òòò òsee€Squibb€v.€Smithó óóó,€948Ð X ¨ ÐS.W.2d€752,€756„57€(Tenn.€App.€1997);€òòò òSchoen€v.€J.C.€Bradford€&€Co.ó óóó,€667€S.W.2d€97,€101€(Tenn.Ð 0"€  ÐApp.€1984).€€ð ðThe€award€of€prejudgment€interest€is€within€the€sound€discretion€of€the€trial€court€andÏthe€decision€will€not€be€disturbed€upon€appellate€review€unless€the€record€reveals€a€manifest€andÏpalpable€abuse€of€discretion.ðð€€ò òòòOtis€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€Fire€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€850€S.W.2d€439,€446€(Tenn.Ð ¸'#& Ð1992);€òòò òsee€also€Teague€Bros.,€Inc.€v.€Martin€&€Bayley,€Inc.ó óóó,€750€S.W.2d€152,€158€(Tenn.€App.Ð )à$( М1987).€€Prejudgment›€interest€is€not€considered€a€penalty€imposed€upon€the€defendant,€but€is€awardedÏð ðin€accordance€with€the€principles€of€equity.ðð€€òòò òOtisó óóó,€850€S.W.2d€at€446€(citing€òòò òIn€re€Estate€of€Davisó óóó,Ð @-(, Ð719€S.W.2d€526€(Tenn.€App.€1986)).Ìà  àAt€trial,€Midwest€relied€on€the€provision€in€the€Agreement€stating€that€acceptance€or€rejectionÏof€the€aircraft€would€be€ð ðat€Purchaserððs€sole€judgmentðð€and€that€ð ðthe€earnest€money€deposit€shall€beÏpromptly€returned€in€full€to€Purchaser.ðð€€Outlaw€maintained€that€the€Agreement€gave€Outlaw€theÏright€to€attempt€to€correct€the€deficiencies,€and€that€Midwest€could€not€simply€reject€the€aircraftÏwithout€permitting€Outlaw€to€remedy€the€defects.€€However,€the€Agreement€€refers€to€the€SellerÏcorrecting€deficiencies€if€the€purchaser€accepts€the€aircraft€subject€to€the€correction€of€deficiencies.€Ð (:x5: ÐIn€other€words,€the€right€to€correct€deficiencies€comes€into€play€only€after€the€purchaser€accepts€theÏaircraft.€€In€this€case,€Midwest€never€accepted€the€aircraft,€subject€to€the€correction€of€deficienciesÏor€otherwise.€€Therefore,€under€the€language€in€the€Agreement,€Midwest€had€the€right,€in€its€ð ðsoleÏdiscretion,ðð€to€reject€the€aircraft.€€The€Agreement€clearly€provides€for€the€prompt€return€of€theÏearnest€money.€€Since€the€amount€involved€is€a€sum€certain,€and€the€Agreement€clearly€provides€forÏits€prompt€return,€the€denial€of€prejudgment€interest€was€an€abuse€of€the€trial€courtððs€discretion.€€TheÏdecision€of€the€trial€on€this€issue€is€reversed,€and€the€judgment€is€modified€to€include€an€award€ofÏprejudgment€interest€on€the€$10,000€earnest€money€minus€the€setoff€for€the€costs€of€transportation€Ïfor€inspection.€€Ì€€à  àMidwest€also€argues€that€it€should€have€been€granted€relief€under€the€Tennessee€ConsumerÐ H˜ ÐProtection€Act,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðððð€47„18„101€to€121.€€Midwest€bases€its€claim€under€theÏConsumer€Protection€Act€on€the€statutory€provision€that€prohibits€ð ð[œr]epresenting›€that€a€consumerÏtransaction€confers€or€involves€rights,€remedies€or€obligations€that€it€does€not€have€or€involve€orÏwhich€are€prohibited€by€law.ðð€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„104(b)(12)€(Supp.€1998).€€Ìà  àMidwest€argues€that€Outlaw€violated€this€provision€by€directly€contradicting€the€terms€of€itsÏown€contract,€which€provided€that€upon€rejection€of€the€airplane,€ð ðthe€earnest€money€deposit€shallÏbe€promptly€returned€in€full€to€purchaser.ðð€€Midwest€asserts€that€it€was€induced€to€enter€into€theÏAgreement€by€the€written€assurance€that€it€had€an€absolute€right€to€refund€of€its€deposit.€€By€laterÏdenying€this€remedy,€Midwest€argues€that€Outlaw€was€ð ðrepresenting€that€[the].€.€.€transactionÏœconfer[red›]€.€.€.€€rights€[and]€remedies€.€.€.€that€it€[did]€not€œhave.ð𛀜ò òòòId.€€ó óóóMidwest›€also€claims€that€theÐ ¸'#& ÐConsumer€Protection€Act€applies€because€Outlaw€misrepresented€the€condition€of€the€airplane,Ïcausing€the€plaintiff€to€incur€additional€inspection€expenses.€€€€Ìà  àThe€Tennessee€Consumer€Protection€Act€is€ð ðto€be€liberally€construed€to€protect€consumersÏand€others€from€those€who€engage€in€deceptive€œact[s]›€or€practices.ðð€ò òòòHaverlah€v.€Memphis€Aviation,Ð /h*. ÐInc.óóó ó,€674€S.W.2d€297,€305€(Tenn.€App.€1984).€€The€Act€allows€victims€of€unfair€or€deceptive€actsÐ ð0@,0 Ðor€practices€to€recover€actual€damages.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„18„109(a)(1)€(1995).€€The€trialÐ È2.2 Ðcourt€may€also€award€attorneyððs€fees.€€ò òòòSee€id.€óóó óðð€47„18„109(e)(1).€€If€the€trial€court€finds€that€theÐ  4ð/4 Ðdefendant€willfully€or€œknowingly›€violated€the€Act,€the€court€may€award€treble€damages.€€ò òòòSee€id.€œóóó óðð47„ñ ñÐ  x6È16 Ðñ ñ18„109(a)(3).›€€Factors€to€be€considered€when€determining€whether€to€award€treble€damages€include:ÌÓÓÓQ"° ,XƒX× / À‚X} X° ,XƒXŒ m / À‚X} XQÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(A)à8× ` x` xàThe€competence€of€the€consumer€or€other€person;ЈØ× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(B)à8× ` x` xàThe€nature€of€the€deception€or€coercion€practiced€upon€theÐ `° Ðconsumer€or€other€person;Ð × ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(C)à8× ` x` xàThe€damage€to€the€consumer€or€other€person;€and€Ð$ t× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(D)à8× ` x` xàThe€good€faith€of€the€person€found€to€have€violated€theÐ ü L  Ðprovisions€of€this€part.Ð × ×  ÐÌÓLXÓò òòòId.€óóó óðð€47„18„109(a)(4).Ð À  Ðà  àThe€gist€of€Midwestððs€claim€in€this€case€is€Outlawððs€breach€of€the€contractual€provision€forÏreturn€of€Midwestððs€earnest€money.€€Outlaw€interpreted€the€Agreement€as€providing€it€an€opportunityÏto€remedy€deficiencies€prior€to€Midwestððs€rejection.€€Under€these€circumstances,€the€evidence€isÏinsufficient€for€an€award€of€damages€under€the€Tennessee€Consumer€Protection€Act.€€The€evidenceÏdoes€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€decision€not€to€award€damages€under€the€TennesseeÏConsumer€Protection€Act,€and€this€decision€is€affirmed.Ìà  àIn€sum,€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€permit€Outlaw€to€set„off€the€costs€of€transportation€forÏinspection€is€œaffirmed.€€The€trial€courtððs€decision€to€permit€Outlaw€to€setoff€the€cost€of€the€additionalÏequipment€is€reversed.€€The›€trial€courtððs€decision€not€to€award€prejudgment€interest€is€reversed,€andÏthe€cause€is€remanded€for€an€award€of€prejudgment€interest€on€the€$10,000€earnest€money€minus€theÏsetoff€for€transportation€costs.€€The€trial€courtððs€decision€not€to€award€damages€under€the€TennesseeÏConsumer€Protection€Act€is€affirmed.€€€Ìà  àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€in€part,€reversed€in€part,€and€remanded€as€set€forthÏabove.€€Costs€are€assessed€equally€against€Appellant€and€Appellee,€for€which€execution€may€issue,Ïif€necessary.€€€€ÌÌÓÓà  àà ` àà × àà / àà À àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð /h*. Ðà  àà ` àà × àà / àà À àò òóóHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð 0T+/ Ðó óà  àò òÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð  4ð/4 ÐóóW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.€J.,€W.S.Ð Œ5Ü05 ÐÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ P8 38 ÐALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ó óÐ <9Œ49 Ð