Court of Appeals of Washington August 23, 2002, No. 27170-2-II (Malted Mousse, Inc. v. Steinmetz)

Quinn-Brintnall, A.C.J.

Michael Steinmetz started to purchase espresso equipment and training from Malted Mousse, Inc. (MM). Steinmetz gave MM a $5,000 deposit, but stopped payment on his check. MM sued. The case went to arbitration and the arbitrator found for Steinmetz. Steinmetz timely requested attorney fees, but the arbitrator purported to declare the small claims attorney fee statute, RCW 4.