Star Vacuum Stores, Inc. v. Bisslessi

This is an action to recover the unpaid balance on a contract for the sale of a vacuum cleaner. The contract was signed by defendant’s wife in the presence of her husband, who took- no part in the transaction. The question is whether he is liable on her contract.

There is little dispute about the facts. Plaintiff’s salesman called at defendant’s home, talked with the wife, demonstrated the cleaner to her, sold it to her for $85, and obtained her signature, “ Mrs. J. Bisslessi ”, on the usual conditional sales contract, with a down payment of $30. The defendant, who operates a small business…