Christopher's Auto Parts, Inc. v. Gilmore

*542HUDOCK, Judge:

This is an appeal from an order reinstating an arbitration award, pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 218(b)(2), 42 Pa.C.S.A., (Purdon Supp.1991), following Mel Shaw’s (Appellant) failure to appear for the trial de novo. We reverse and remand.

On July 21, 1989, Appellee filed a complaint alleging Appellant failed to pay for auto parts supplied by Appellee. After preliminary objections were dismissed, Appellant filed his answer. Compulsory arbitration took place, and an award was entered in favor of Appellee and against Appellant. Appellant appealed from the arbitration award for a trial de…