421.106 Settlement of claims; agreement to forego rights; waiver.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in chs. 421 to 427, a customer may not waive or agree to forego rights or benefits under chs. 421 to 427.

(2) A claim by a customer against a merchant for an excess charge, other violation of chs. 421 to 427 or civil penalty, or a claim against a customer for default or breach of a duty imposed by chs. 421 to 427, if disputed in good faith, may be settled by agreement.

(3) A claim, whether or not disputed, against a customer may be settled for less value than the amount claimed.

(4) A settlement in which the customer waives or agrees to forego rights or benefits under chs. 421 to 427 is invalid if the court as a matter of law finds the settlement to be unconscionable at the time it was made. In this regard the court may consider the competence of the customer as measured by his or her education, ability to speak and read the language of the contract, and his or her prior consumer experience; any deception or coercion practiced upon the customer; the nature and extent of the legal advice received by the customer; and the value of the consideration.

History: 1971 c. 239; 1979 c. 89.

An arbitration provision explicitly prohibiting a consumer from proceeding as part of a class was unconscionable. Permitting predispute waivers of class proceedings would be contrary to the Wisconsin Consumer Act's purpose of protecting consumers from unfair practices. Cottonwood Financial, LTD v. Estes, 2010 WI App 75, 325 Wis. 2d 749, 784 N.W.2d 726, 09-0760.