ALTHOUGH THE ELECTRIC BICYCLE WAS SOLD BY A THIRD-PARTY THROUGH AMAZON AND WAS ASSEMBLED BY AN APPROVED AMAZON PROVIDER, THERE IS NO THEORY UNDER WHICH AMAZON CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR AN INJURY CAUSED BY IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE BICYCLE (FIRST DEPT).
The First Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Shulman, determined Amazon could not be held liable for an injury caused by an electric bicycle purchased through Amazon which apparently was not assembled properly. Eshion, a China-based company, listed the bicycle on Amazon. The purchaser, plaintiff’s father, elected to have the bicycle assembled. Codefendant Tri-State Assembly offers its assembly services on Amazon and was an Amazon approved service provider. Plaintiff alleged the bicycle was not assembled properly (by Tri-State) and plaintiff fell because the handlebars loosened while he was riding it:
The Uniform Commercial Code clearly provides that implied warranties only extend to sellers (see UCC 2-314 [1]; 2-315 … ). Plaintiff’s breach of warranty claim fails because Amazon submitted sufficient documentary evidence and unrefuted affidavits from its representatives to establish prima facie that it did not sell, manufacture, distribute or assemble the bicycle.
The supporting affidavits indicate that, pursuant to contract, third-party sellers such as Eshion are responsible for all aspects of their sales, such as setting a price, describing the product being sold, and offering any warranties. In this case, Eshion sold the bicycle and shipped it directly to plaintiff. At no time was the bicycle ever in Amazon’s possession or control, nor did it ever obtain title to the bicycle (see UCC 2-106 [1]). Further, when placing orders all Amazon.com users agree to its Conditions of Use, wherein Amazon disclaims all warranties for products sold by third-party sellers.
In opposition, plaintiff failed to raise an issue of fact. Wallace v Tri-State Assembly, LLC, 2021 NY Slip Op 06664, First Dept 11-30-21