GRAND RIVER COOPERATIVE v. Terbeest

Jerold and Dianna Terbeest appeal from a money judgment awarded to Grand River Cooperative (the cooperative) on an open-end credit account. The issue on appeal is whether the cooperative’s failure to obtain the Terbeests’ signature to a writing evidencing this consumer credit transaction, pursuant to the Wisconsin Consumer Act, sec. 422.305(1), Stats., is fatal to the cooperative’s action. The trial court ruled that the statute applies only to guarantors of such accounts. We agree and affirm the judgment.

The cooperative provides agricultural materials and supplies to its patrons. The…