In Re American Homestar of Lancaster, Inc.

The issue in this mandamus proceeding is whether the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits enforcing predispute binding arbitration agreements in warranty disputes involving a consumer-product purchase. The court of appeals held that the Magnuson-Moss Act prohibits such agreements. In re Blarcum, 19 S.W.3d 484, 491 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi, 2000). We disagree. Accordingly, we conditionally grant a writ of mandamus and direct the court of appeals to vacate its order.

I. BACKGROUND

In May 1997, James and Clara Van Blarcum bought a manufactured home from Nationwide Housing System. American Homestar…