Question

Why does the law provide for an implied warranty of merchantability? What might happen if such an implied warranty did not exist?

Answer 1

The implied warranty of merchantability means the goods are merchantable and conform to a reasonable buyer’s expectations. Most consumer products have an implied warranty of merchantability. This warranty makes the assumption that a good or product works for its intended purpose. It applies not just to new items, but for used items as well.  

In common law jurisdictions, an implied warranty is a contract law term for certain assurances that are presumed to be made in the sale of products or real property, due to the circumstances of the sale. These assurances are characterized as warranties irrespective of whether the seller has expressly promised them orally or in writing. They include an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, an implied warranty of merchantability for products, implied warranty of workmanlike quality for services, and an implied warranty of habitability for a home.

The warranty of merchantability is implied, unless expressly disclaimed by name, or the sale is identified with the phrase "as is" or "with all faults". To be "merchantable", the goods must reasonably conform to an ordinary buyer's expectations, i.e., they are what they say they are. For example, a fruit that looks and smells good but has hidden defects would violate the implied warranty of merchantability if its quality does not meet the standards for such fruit "as passes ordinarily in the trade". In Massachusetts consumer protection law, it is illegal to disclaim this warranty on household goods sold to consumers.

If there is no Implied Warranty exists then :

THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES GIVEN HEREIN BY SELLER ARE IN LIEU OF ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHICH MAY OTHERWISE BE APPLICABLE BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE OR ANY OTHER STATUTE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Seller makes no representation or warranty with respect to (i) any forecasts, projections, estimates or budgets delivered or made available to Buyer of future revenues, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Business or (ii) any other information or documents made available to Buyer or its counsel, accountants or advisors with respect to the Business, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or the exhibits hereto; provided, that Seller does represent and warrant that it has neither intentionally provided or made available to Buyer any untrue information, nor intentionally omitted any material fact or information regarding the Assets, the Product or the Business or any of the other matters dealt with in this Article 6 relating to Seller or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.