The Georgia Supreme Court has reaffirmed conventional wisdom that should be uppermost in the mind of anyone making a purchase, be it for a new cellphone or a condominium with really gorgeous views: Forget what the salesman says and read the contract.
Writing for a unanimous court, Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein said unhappy condo owners who sued a developer when “spectacular city views” promised by salespeople were eclipsed by a nearby condo tower should have paid attention to the disclaimers on their contracts. The disclaimers made it clear that the views might change after the units were purchased and that any verbal guarantees to the contrary allegedly made by the sales staff were of no contractual value.
