Brinkley v. Monterey Financial Services, Inc. (242 Cal. App. 4th 294, 2015)

Opinion

AARON, J.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Tiffany Brinkley appeals from an order of the trial court compelling her to arbitrate her individual claims and dismissing her class claims. Brinkley filed a putative class action against defendant Monterey Financial Services, Inc. (Monterey), asserting statutory violations arising from allegations that Monterey unlawfully recorded and/or monitored telephone conversations that Brinkley had with Monterey’s representatives. Monterey moved to compel Brinkley to arbitrate her individual claims and to dismiss Brinkley’s class claims, based on an arbitration agreement contained in a contract that Brinkley entered into with a third party who subsequently assigned Brinkley’s contract to Monterey. The trial court ordered Brinkley to arbitrate her individual claims, and dismissed the class claims, as Monterey had requested.

On appeal, Brinkley raises a number of challenges to the trial court’s order compelling arbitration. She contends that (1) the claims fall outside the scope of the arbitration agreement; (2) the arbitration clause is unconscionable and therefore unenforceable; and (3) the court erred in dismissing her class action claims because the parties agreed that an arbitrator would determine whether class arbitration is available under the contract.

We conclude that Brinkley’s claims fall within the scope of the arbitration agreement and that the arbitration agreement is enforceable, with the exception of one provision that we find to be unconscionable under the applicable jurisdiction’s law. We conclude, however, that it is possible to sever the unconscionable provision from the remainder of the arbitration agreement and from the contract as a whole. We therefore affirm the trial court’s order compelling arbitration of Brinkley’s claims. However, because the parties’ agreement delegates to the arbitrator the question whether class arbitration is available under the contract, we reverse that portion of the trial court’s order compelling the arbitration of Brinkley’s individual claims, alone, and dismissing Brinkley’s class claims.

II.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Monterey Financial Services provides three services to its customers, including consumer financing, loan servicing, and debt collecting. Real Estate Investor Education (REIE) was one of Monterey’s customers.

On or about August 10, 2011, Brinkley signed up to receive six real estate coaching sessions through REIE for $4,195. Brinkley paid REIE $850, and financed the remainder of the purchase price through REIE’s “Retail Installment Contract” (the RIC). Once Brinkley’s financing was approved, she had 30 days to complete an e-signature process. During this period of time, she had the ability to access the RIC online. Brinkley executed the RIC with her e-signature on August 24, 2011. The RIC provided that Brinkley could cancel the contract within three days of e-signing it if she were to change her mind.

The RIC contains a choice-of-law provision that provides; “This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and constructed in accordance with the law of your state of residence as indicated on the address section hereof completed by you, as applied to contracts between residents of such state entered into and to be performed wholly within such state.” Brinkley identified her residence as being in the state of Washington.

The RIC also contains the following arbitration provision:

“AGREEMENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION

“ARBITRATION: By signing this Agreement, you agree that, except as provided below, any claim or dispute arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement, whether past, present or future, or any matter of fact, law, background, circumstance, or other matter of any kind whatsoever relating to this Agreement, shall be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. You further acknowledge and agree that the sole and exclusive venue for such binding arbitration shall be San Diego, California. The decision by the arbitrator or arbitrators shall be final and binding on all parties, and may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement. Such a decision shall include the payment of all fees and costs of the prevailing party. The determination of the ‘prevailing party’ shall be made by the arbitrator or arbitrators. The AGREEMENT FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION shall not limit the right of any party to take non-judicial actions to enforce security interests and all rights related thereto, or to take judicial actions for (i) the enforcement of arbitration decisions, or (ii) the protection of any party pending arbitration decisions.

“SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE: Additionally, because the purpose of the AGREEMENT FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION is to promote fast and inexpensive resolution of claims and disputes, Buyer, Seller and Seller’s assignee remain free to choose the small claims court procedure to resolve any dispute or claim, as defined above, that is within the monetary jurisdictional limit of the court. Buyer, Seller and Seller’s assignee agree, however, that any claims, counterclaims and/or disputes, as defined above, of any sort which are in excess of the small claims court jurisdictional monetary limit must be arbitrated before the American Arbitration Association and in accordance with its rules.”

In addition, the RIC informs consumers that the “Seller may assign this Agreement to any third party without prior notice to you,” and that “[ujpon any such assignment, such third party will become the holder of this agreement and your creditor.” It further informs consumers regarding the party to whom the assignment may be made, stating, “Seller intends to assign this agreement to Monterey Financial Services, [Ijnc., 4095 Avenida de la Plata, Oceanside, CA 92056 (‘Monterey’),” and explains that “[ajfter the 'assignment of this Agreement to Monterey, all questions concerning the terms of this Agreement or payments should be directed to Monterey at its address indicated above.” Later, in a separate box that includes signature lines where the assignment can be effectuated, the consumer is told: “TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS BOX ARE NOT PART OF THE BUYER’S AGREEMENT.” According to Monterey, REIE assigned the RIC to Monterey shortly after the contract was executed.

At some point, Brinkley stopped making payments on the RIC. According to Brinkley, she never received all of the coaching sessions from REIE, which went out of business in August 2012. Monterey took the position that Brinkley owed it the remaining payments, and began collection efforts against her. During Monterey’s collection efforts, Monterey called Brinkley, and Brinkley called Monterey.

According to the allegations in Brinkley’s complaint, Brinkley made telephone calls to and received telephone calls from employees, officers, and/or agents of Monterey between December 2012 and March 2013. Brinkley also alleges that Monterey failed to inform Brinkley at any time that it was recording the telephone conversations between its representatives and Brinkley. During these calls, Brinkley revealed her identity and shared personal information. Brinkley believed that her calls were confidential and were not being monitored or recorded.

Brinkley filed a putative class action against Monterey in October 2013, asserting causes of action for invasion of privacy, unlawful recording of telephone calls, and unlawful and unfair business practices. The class that Brinkley seeks to represent includes persons who made telephone calls to or received telephone calls from Monterey while located or residing in California or Washington, and who were not provided notice that the calls might be recorded or monitored. Brinkley asserts that Monterey’s conduct in recording her confidential communications without her knowledge was an invasion of her privacy and a violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA; Pen. Code, §§ 630-637.5), which was enacted “to address concerns that ‘advances in science and technology have led to the development of new devices and techniques for the purpose of eavesdropping upon private communications and that the invasion of privacy resulting from the continual and increasing use of such devices and techniques has created a serious threat to the free exercise of personal liberties and cannot be tolerated in a free and civilized society.’ ” (Right v. CashCall, Inc. (2011) 200 Cal.App.4th 1377, 1388 [133 Cal.Rptr.3d 450].) Among other things, the CIPA requires that all parties consent to the recording of a conversation involving confidential communication. (Flanagan v. Flanagan (2002) 27 Cal.4th 766, 769 [117 Cal.Rptr.2d 574, 41 P.3d 575].)

Monterey moved to compel arbitration of Brinkley’s individual claims, and sought dismissal of Brinkley’s class claims.

After considering briefing and declarations from the parties, the court determined that the parties had entered into a valid arbitration agreement, that the parties had not agreed to arbitrate class claims, and that Brinkley’s claims fell within the scope of the arbitration provision. The trial court ordered the parties to arbitrate Brinkley’s individual claims, and dismissed Brinkley’s class claims.

Brinkley filed a timely notice of appeal from the trial court’s order.

III.

DISCUSSION

Brinkley challenges the trial court’s order requiring her to arbitrate her individual claims and dismissing her class claims. She contends that (1) her claims fall outside the scope of the arbitration provision, (2) the arbitration provision is unconscionable and may not be enforced, and (3) the court erred in dismissing her class claims.

A. Standard of review

In a petition to compel arbitration, the party seeking to compel arbitration bears the burden of proving the existence of a valid arbitration agreement by a preponderance of the evidence. (Engalla v. Permanente Medical Group, Inc. (1997) 15 Cal.4th 951, 972 [64 Cal.Rptr.2d 843, 938 P.2d 903].) The party opposing the petition bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence any fact necessary to its defense, including that an arbitration provision is invalid or otherwise unenforceable. (Ibid.)

On appeal, “[w]hen ‘the language of an arbitration provision is not in dispute, the trial court’s decision as to arbitrability is subject to de novo review.’ [Citation.] Thus, in cases where ‘no conflicting extrinsic evidence is introduced to aid the interpretation of an agreement to arbitrate, the Court of Appeal reviews de novo a trial court’s ruling on a petition to compel arbitration.’ ” (Molecular Analytical Systems v. Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (2010) 186 Cal.App.4th 696, 707 [111 Cal.Rptr.3d 876]; see Rebolledo v. Tilly’s, Inc. (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 900, 912 [175 Cal.Rptr.3d 612] [where ruling on petition did not hinge on credibility of extrinsic evidence, but rather was based on legal interpretation of arbitration agreement, de novo review is appropriate].)

The parties appear to agree that the de novo standard of review applies to the issues raised by Brinkley’s appeal.

B. Analysis

1. Brinkley’s claims fall within the scope of the arbitration provision

Applicable law

a. The Federal Arbitration Act applies

Brinkley asserts that the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.; FAA) does not govern the arbitration agreement at issue.

Arbitrators derive their powers from the parties’ voluntary submission of disputes for resolution in a nonjudicial forum. Under the FAA, a valid arbitration agreement arises from the parties’ consent. (Stolt-Nielsen S. A. v. Animalfeeds Int’l Corp. (2010) 559 U.S. 662, 682 [176 L.Ed.2d 605, 130 S.Ct. 1758] (Stolt-Nielsen).) The primary purpose of the FAA is to ensure that agreements to arbitrate are enforced according to their terms. (Stolt-Nielsen, supra, at p. 682.) Arbitration agreements are construed to give effect to the parties’ contractual rights and expectations. (Ibid.)

The FAA applies to a contract that “evidences a transaction involving interstate commerce.” (Shepard v. Edward Mackay Enterprises, Inc. (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 1092, 1101 [56 Cal.Rptr.3d 326].) “Section 2 of the FAA provides in relevant part; ‘A written provision in ... a contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce to settle by arbitration a controversy thereafter arising out of such contract or transaction . . . shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract.’ (9 U.S.C. § 2.)” (Pinnacle Museum Tower Assn. v. Pinnacle Market Development (US), LLC (2012) 55 Cal.4th 223, 234-235 [145 Cal.Rptr.3d 514, 282 P.3d 1217] (Pinnacle).) “This statute stands as ‘a congressional declaration of a liberal federal policy favoring arbitration agreements, notwithstanding any state substantive or procedural policies to the contrary.’ ” (Id. at p. 235.) Essentially, “Congress passed the FAA ‘to overcome courts’ refusals to enforce agreements to arbitrate.’ ” (Mastrobuono v. Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc. (1995) 514 U.S. 52, 55 [131 L.Ed.2d 76, 115 S.Ct. 1212].)

Brinkley contends that the parties agreed only to the application of state rules for any arbitration under their contract, and did not contemplate that the contract would be governed by the FAA, given that the RIC provides that it is “to be interpreted and constructed under the law of the consumer’s resident state,” and that it applies only “ ‘to contracts between residents of such state entered into and to be performed wholly within such state.’ ”

The RIC provision to which Brinkley refers is a choice-of-law provision that immediately follows the arbitration clause in the RIC, in a paragraph titled “Governing Law.” This paragraph provides: “This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and constructed in accordance with the law of your state of residence as indicated on the address section hereof completed by you, as applied to contracts between residents of such state entered into and to be performed wholly within such state.”

Brinkley suggests that “[b]ecause the parties eliminated interstate commerce from the RIC contract, they clearly evidenced their intent that only Washington or California state law applied and not the FAA.” Brinkley’s argument is misdirected.

The relevant language from the RIC contemplates the existence of an interstate transaction. The choice-of-law provision indicates that the law that is to be applied is the law of the consumer’s state, as if the contract at issue had been entered into in that state and wholly performed in that state. This language is not suggesting that the RIC is such a contract or that it does not involve interstate commerce; rather, it expresses the intent of the parties to apply the law of the purchaser’s state to the RIC, despite the fact that it may have been entered into by residents of different states (i.e., the consumer and REIE). As Brinkley concedes, the RIC at issue was entered into between Brinkley, a Washington resident, and REIE, a Utah entity, and set the terms of Brinkley’s purchase of services from REIE. The RIC thus clearly evidences an interstate transaction.

Given the nature of the RIC and its choice-of-law provision, the very existence of which suggests that the transaction at issue in the contract might be undertaken by individuals and/or entities residing in different jurisdictions and thereby involve interstate commerce, we conclude that the RIC “evidences a transaction involving interstate commerce.” Therefore, contrary to Brinkley’s contention, the FAA and its rules apply.

b. To the extent the application of state law is necessary, Washington state law applies

Brinkley asserts on appeal that the law of Brinkley’s state of residence, Washington, governs interpretation of the contract.

The FAA creates “a body of federal substantive law of arbitrability, applicable to any arbitration agreement within the coverage of the Act.” (Moses H. Cone Hospital v. Mercury Constr. Corp. (1983) 460 U.S. 1, 24 [74 L.Ed.2d 765, 103 S.Ct. 927].) However, even when the FAA applies, such that “federal arbitrability law” applies, there remains “[t]he general rule in interpreting arbitration agreements,” which “is that courts ‘should apply ordinary state-law principles that govern the formation of contracts.’ ” (Cape Flattery Ltd. v. Titan Maritime, LLC (9th Cir. 2011) 647 F.3d 914, 920 (Cape Flattery), quoting First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan (1995) 514 U.S. 938, 944 [131 L.Ed.2d 985, 115 S.Ct. 1920] (Kaplan).) We therefore consider which state’s legal principles apply in this case.

Despite Brinkley’s contention that the contract requires application of Washington law, Brinkley additionally asserts that “[i]n this case, the question whether Washington or California law applies is immaterial,” because, she contends, the laws of Washington and California do not differ with respect to the issues raised in her appeal. Because this statement is not entirely accurate, and because it is important that we give effect to the parties’ agreement, we address the question of which jurisdiction’s law applies.

The parties have agreed that the law of the State of Washington will govern their agreement. We must ascertain whether the parties’ choice-of-law provision should be given effect. A court analyzes the enforceability of a choice-of-law provision in a consumer adhesion contract by applying the approach adopted by the Supreme Court in Nedlloyd Lines B.V. v. Superior Court (1992) 3 Cal.4th 459 [11 Cal.Rptr.2d 330, 834 P.2d 1148] (Nedlloyd) with respect to arm’s-length negotiated contracts. (Washington Mutual Bank v. Superior Court (2001) 24 Cal.4th 906, 917-918 [103 Cal.Rptr.2d 320, 15 P.3d 1071].) “California . . . has no public policy against the enforcement of choice-of-law provisions contained in contracts of adhesion where they are otherwise appropriate. [Citations.] More importantly, Nedlloyd’s analysis contains safeguards to protect contracting parties, including consumers, against choice-of-law agreements that are unreasonable or in contravention of a fundamental California policy.” (Id. at p. 917.)

Under Nedlloyd, “[i]n determining the enforceability of arm’s-length contractual choice-of-law provisions, California courts shall apply the principles set forth in Restatement section 187, which reflects a strong policy favoring enforcement of such provisions.” (Nedlloyd, supra, 3 Cal.4th at pp. 464-465.) The standards set forth in Restatement Second of Conflict of Laws, section 187, subdivision (2) are the following: “ ‘The law of the state chosen by the parties to govern their contractual rights and duties will be applied, even if the particular issue is one which the parties could not have resolved by an explicit provision in their agreement directed to that issue, unless either [¶] (a) the chosen state has no substantial relationship to the parties or the transaction and there is no other reasonable basis for the parties choice, or [¶] (b) application of the law of the chosen state would be contrary to a fiindamental policy of a state which has a materially greater interest than the chosen state in the determination of the particular issue and which, under the rule of [section] 188, would be the state of the applicable law in the absence of an effective choice of law by the parties.’ ” (Nedlloyd, supra, at p. 465.)

The parties in this' case appear to essentially agree that Washington and California law are, in most respects, substantially similar with respect to the issues raised in this appeal. Neither party has argued that Washington’s law should not apply on the ground that Washington has “ ‘no substantial relationship to the parties or the transaction’ ” or because an application of Washington law “ ‘would be contrary to a fundamental policy of a state [that] has a materially greater interest’ ” than Washington. (Nedlloyd, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 465.) We therefore conclude that it is appropriate to give effect to the parties’ agreement with respect to the choice-of-law provision, and apply the law of Washington to those matters where state law principles govern.

Given our conclusion that the parties’ choice of Washington law should be given effect, we note that Washington courts look to federal courts for guidance in determining whether parties have agreed to arbitrate a dispute when there has been a determination that federal law applies to the dispute. (See Peninsula School District 401 v. Public School Employees of Peninsula (1996) 130 Wn.2d 401, 413 [924 P.2d 13] [applying federal law in context of deciding whether public sector labor-management dispute was arbitrable pursuant to collective bargaining agreement].) We therefore consider federal case law and Washington case law, where applicable, in addressing the parties’ contentions on appeal.

c. Brinkley’s claims fall within the scope of the RIC’s arbitration provision

Brinkley contends that the trial court erred in concluding that her claims fall within the scope of the arbitration provision in the RIC. The relevant language from the RIC regarding its scope is the following: “By signing this Agreement, you agree that, except as provided below, any claim or dispute arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement, whether past, present or future, or any matter of fact, law, background, circumstance, or other matter of any kind whatsoever relating to this Agreement, shall be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.” (Italics added.)

Brinkley’s complaint asserts three causes of action: (1) invasion of privacy, (2) unlawful recording of telephone calls, and (3) unlawful and unfair business practices. Brinkley asserts that her causes of action do not arise out of, and are not related to, the RIC. Rather, she contends that under any potentially applicable law, her “claims of unlawful recording and monitoring of telephone calls fell outside the scope of the arbitration agreement,” because “REIE expressly limited the contract to ‘legal rights of enforcement.’ ”

“[T]he question of arbitrability — whether [an] agreement creates a duty for the parties to arbitrate [a] particular grievance — is ... an issue for judicial determination. Unless the parties clearly and unmistakably provide otherwise, the question of whether the parties agreed to arbitrate is to be decided by the court, not the arbitrator.” (AT&T Technologies v. Communications Workers (1986) 475 U.S. 643, 649 [89 L.Ed.2d 648, 106 S.Ct. 1415].)

“Courts resolve the threshold legal question of arbitrability of the dispute by examining the arbitration agreement without inquiry into the merits of the dispute. If the dispute can fairly be said to invoke a claim covered by the agreement, any inquiry by the courts must end. Washington State has a strong public policy favoring arbitration of disputes.” (Owners Assn. v. Burton Landscape (2009) 148 Wn.App. 400, 403-404 [200 P.3d 254].)

Doubts concerning the scope of arbitrable issues “should be resolved in favor of arbitration.” (Moses H. Cone Hospital v. Mercury Constr. Corp., supra, 460 U.S. at pp. 24-25.) This gives due regard to the federal policy favoring arbitration and the presumption of arbitrability. (See AT&T Technologies v. Communications Workers, supra, 475 U.S. at p. 650.) Notwithstanding a federal policy that favors arbitration, however, it is clear that “ ‘arbitration is a matter of contract and a party cannot be required to submit to arbitration any dispute which he has not agreed so to submit.’ [Citation.] We cannot expand the parties’ agreement to arbitrate in order to achieve greater efficiency. The Federal Arbitration Act ‘requires piecemeal resolution when necessary to give effect to an arbitration agreement.’ ” (Tracer Research Corp. v. National Environmental Services Co. (9th Cir. 1994) 42 F.3d 1292, 1294 (Tracer).)

Courts consistently recognize that the duty to arbitrate a dispute arises from the language of the contract itself. (See Stein v. Geonerco, Inc. (2001) 105 Wn.App. 41, 45 [17 P.3d 1266].) “An agreement for the submission of a dispute to arbitration defines and limits the issues to be decided.” (Sullivan v. Great American Ins. Co. (1979) 23 Wn.App. 242, 246 [594 P.2d 454].) Although public policy strongly favors arbitration as a remedy for settling disputes, arbitration “should not be invoked to resolve disputes that the parties have not agreed to arbitrate.” (King County v. Boeing Co. (1977) 18 Wn.App. 595, 603 [570 P.2d 713].)

“Four principles guide us when determining whether the parties agreed to submit a particular dispute to arbitration: [¶] ‘(1) the duty to submit a matter to arbitration arises from the contract itself; (2) the question of whether parties have agreed to arbitrate a dispute is a judicial one unless the parties clearly provide otherwise; (3) a court should not determine the underlying merits of a dispute in determining the arbitrability of an issue; and (4) arbitration of disputes is favored by the courts.’ ” (Tacoma Narrows Constructors v. Nippon Steel-Kawada Bridge, Inc. (2007) 138 Wn.App. 203, 214 [156 P.3d 293].) In addition, “[t]o rule that a particular dispute is not arbitrable under an arbitration agreement, ‘[t]he court must be able to say “with positive assurance” that the arbitration clause is not susceptible of an interpretation that covers the asserted dispute.’ ” (Id. at p. 216.)

Turning to the language of the RIC pertaining to the scope of the arbitration provision, we attempt to ascertain the meaning of “arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement.”

Similar language has been “well explored by Ninth Circuit cases.” (Golden v. Dameron Hospital Assn. (E.D.Cal., Sept. 19, 2012, No. Civ. S-12-0751 LKK/EFB) 2012 U.S.Dist. Lexis 134281, p. *20 (Golden).) “[W]hen parties intend to include a broad arbitration provision, they provide for arbitration ‘arising out of or relating to’ the agreement.” (Cape Flattery, supra, 6A7 F.3d at p. 922, italics added.) In circumstances in which an arbitration clause is phrased in broad and general terms, “[a]n order to arbitrate the particular grievance should not be denied unless it may be said with positive assurance that the arbitration clause is not susceptible of an interpretation that covers the asserted dispute. Doubts should be resolved in favor of coverage.” (Steelworkers v. Warrior & Gulf Co. (1960) 363 U.S. 574, 582-583 [4 L.Ed.2d 1409, 80 S.Ct. 1347].)

When an arbitration clause is interpreted “broadly,” it “ ‘reaches every dispute between the parties having a significant relationship to the contract and all disputes having their origin or genesis in the contract.’ ” (Golden, supra, 2012 U.S.Dist. Lexis 134281 at p. *21, quoting Simula, Inc. v. Autoliv, Inc. (9th Cir. 1999) 175 F.3d 716, 721 (Simula).) Stated differently, “[t]o require arbitration, [a party’s] factual allegations need only ‘touch matters’ covered by the contract containing the arbitration clause and all doubts are to be resolved in favor of arbitrability.” (Simula, supra, at p. 721.)

Brinkley alleges that her telephone conversations with representatives at Monterey were recorded without her knowledge or consent. All of her claims arise from this alleged conduct on Monterey’s part. These telephone calls were initiated by Monterey and Brinkley in the facilitation of Monterey’s attempt to collect on the debt it believed to be due pursuant to the RIC. We conclude that these factual allegations “touch matters” covered by the contract — namely, debt collection pursuant to the contract.

Brinkley contends that the RIC “expressly limited enforcement efforts under the agreement to ‘all legal rights of enforcement.’ ” She cites a provision in the RIC referring to REIE’s rights in the case that the consumer defaults: “4. Seller’s Rights upon Default. If you default in any way, Seller’s [sic] may, without notice, demand immediate payment of the total amount owing under this Agreement. Seller may use all legal rights of enforcement.”

Brinkley asserts that “Monterey’s illegal enforcement efforts are therefore, by definition, outside the scope of the parties’ agreement.” We disagree with Brinkley’s analysis. The arbitration provision in the RIC requires the parties to arbitrate “any claim or dispute arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement.” The dispute in this action is about the legality of Monterey’s collection methods, i.e., its alleged unlawful recording of Brinkley’s conversations with its representatives during its collection efforts without her consent. The fact that Brinkley has alleged that Monterey (a) recorded her telephone conversations with its representatives, (b) that she did not consent to such recording, and (c) that Monterey has no valid defense to such conduct, merely raises the existence of a dispute about the legality of Monterey’s conduct. Brinkley’s allegations that Monterey engaged in illegal collection efforts are insufficient to take Brinkley’s claims outside the scope of the parties’ arbitration provision on the ground that the RIC permits only legal collection efforts. Brinkley’s allegations simply place the legality of Monterey’s actions in dispute, and this dispute is related to the RIC, which by its terms allows Monterey to pursue collection of debts owed.

Brinkley relies on Wagner v. Discover Bank (D.Colo., Jan. 13, 2014, Civ. A. No. 12-CV-02786-MSK-BNB) 2014 U.S.Dist. Lexis 3682, pp. *4-*5 (Wagner) to support her argument that her claims are not arbitrable. We find Wagner distinguishable.

In Wagner, the relevant arbitration provision stated: “ ‘In the event of any past, present or future claim or dispute (whether based upon contract, tort, statute, common law or equity) between you and us arising from or relating to your Account, any prior account you have had with us, your application, the relationships which result from your Account or the enforceability or scope of this arbitration provision, of the Agreement or of any prior agreement, you or we may elect to resolve the claim or dispute by binding arbitration.’ ” (Wagner, supra, 2014 U.S.Dist. Lexis 3682 at p. *13, italics added.)

In concluding that the dispute in that case did not fall within the arbitration provision at issue, the Wagner court explained: “Despite such broad language, however, the agreement expressly applies only to disputes that ‘aris[e] from or relat[e] to’ an Account, a prior account, an application, the relationships resulting from the Account, or the scope and enforceability of the arbitration provision, Cardmember Agreement, or prior agreement. In this regard, the scope of the agreement is limited to disputes whose factual underpinnings arise from or relate to the specified categories.” (Wagner, supra, 2014 U.S.Dist. Lexis 3682 at p. *14.) Important for our purposes is the Wagner court’s description of the factual basis for the plaintiff’s claims in that case as related to the language of the arbitration agreement:

“Mr. Wagner’s allegations specifically relate to the legality of Discover’s acts when it went about its collection activities. He alleges unlawful conduct by Discover when it made numerous calls to his cell phone and used a prerecorded voice system. These allegations relate to the manner in which Discover attempted collection. Although the existence of a debt on the account and the right to collect the debt would ‘arise from’ or ‘relate to’ the Account, the legality of the manner in which collection is pursued does not. The manner of collection — whether calls were made, how frequently they were made, and what was said during them — has nothing to do with either the Account, the terms of the Cardmember Agreement, or the parties’ relationship. See, e.g., Coors Brewing Co. v. Molson Breweries, 51 F.3d 1511, 1516 (10th Cir. 1995) (holding that antitrust claims that are not factually related to parties’ contractual relationship were not subject to arbitration agreement).

“Discover has not pointed to any term governing the account which specifies how it will collect on the account, and the arbitration agreement does not identify manner of collection as a dispute to be arbitrated. Indeed, Mr. Wagner may succeed on his TCPA claims despite the existence of any account or relationship with Discover. Although the existence of the Account may have been the ‘but for’ cause of the alleged violations, that is not enough to establish that the claims arise from or relate to the Account or the parties’ relationship resulting from the Account.” (Wagner, supra, 2014 U.S.Dist. Lexis 3682 at pp. *15-*16, some italics added.)

In this case, in contrast, Monterey has pointed to a specific term in the RIC itself that specifies that a default by the consumer will trigger a “demand [for] immediate payment of the total amount owing” and grants the “Seller” permission to “use all legal rights of enforcement” to collect the monies due. As we have explained, a dispute regarding the legality of any conduct Monterey undertook in its collection efforts is a “dispute” that is “related to” the terms of the RIC. Wagner is therefore distinguishable and is thus unpersuasive in this matter.

We conclude that the telephone calls that Brinkley alleges Monterey unlawfully recorded were related to the RIC. As a result, Brinkley’s claims concerning the legality of the calls fall within the scope of the broad arbitration provision included in the RIC.

2. The arbitration provision is enforceable

Brinkley raises two claims challenging the enforceability of the arbitration provision in the RIC, arguing that the clause should not be enforced because it violates public policy, and that the clause is unconscionable, both procedurally and substantively.

a. Public policy does not render the arbitration agreement unenforceable

Brinkley contends that the trial court erred in enforcing the arbitration agreement because it “is against public policy.” Specifically, Brinkley argues that “[c]ontract provisions, like this one, which purport to mandate arbitration of individual claims involving illegal conduct and/or criminal activities should be void as a matter of public policy because they do little to discourage such practices.”

Brinkley acknowledges that her argument in this regard must be premised on the FAA being inapplicable to the RIC, given that the FAA preempts state law attempts to invalidate arbitration agreements on the. basis of public policy. As we have already concluded, however, the FAA does apply to the contract at issue here. Brinkley’s argument that public policy requires courts not to enforce an arbitration agreement with respect to claims alleging illegal or criminal conduct must therefore be rejected. (See Brown v. MHN Government Services, Inc. (2013) 178 Wn.2d 258, 266 [306 P.3d 948] (Brown) [pursuant to AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion (2011) 563 U.S. 333 [179 L.Ed.2d 742, 131 S.Ct. 1740] (Concepcion), “state rules specific to arbitration that interfere with the purposes of the FAA are preempted”].)

b. Unconscionability

Brinkley contends that the trial court erred in determining that the RIC is not procedurally unconscionable. Brinkley contends that it is, maintaining that she was not provided “a meaningful choice and an opportunity to understand its terms.” She further contends that the trial court erred in determining that the RIC is not substantively unconscionable, and asserts that the “arbitration fees and venue provision made arbitration cost prohibitive, and subjected Brinkley to having to pay for Monterey’s attorney fees.”

The Washington Supreme Court has “distinguished between ‘procedural’ unconscionability, involving blatant unfairness in the bargaining process and a lack of meaningful choice, and ‘substantive’ unconscionability, or unfairness of the terms or results.” (Torgerson v. One Lincoln Tower, LLC (2009) 166 Wn.2d 510, 518 [210 P.3d 318] (Torgerson).) Under Washington law, an agreement may be invalidated if it is either substantively or procedurally unconscionable. (Hill v. Garda CL Northwest, Inc. (2013) 179 Wn.2d 47, 55 [308 P.3d 635] (Hill II).

i. Procedural unconscionability

A. Legal standards

In Washington, procedural unconscionability refers to the lack of meaningful choice, considering all the circumstances surrounding a transaction, including factors such as the manner in which the contract was entered, whether each party had a reasonable opportunity to understand the terms of the contract, and whether the important terms were hidden in fine print. (Torgerson, supra, 210 P.3d at p. 322.) The Washington Supreme Court has “stressed that ‘ “these three factors [should] not be applied mechanically without regard to whether in truth a meaningful choice existed.” ’ ” {Ibid., italics omitted.) In addition, the fact that an arbitration provision exists in a contract of adhesion does not necessarily render such a provision procedurally unconscionable. (Zuver v. Airtouch Communications, Inc. (2004) 153 Wn.2d 293, 304 [103 P.3d 753] (Zuver).)

B. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in considering Monterey’s evidence

Brinkley argues that the trial court erred in admitting the declarations of Lisa Pruitt, a senior manager of client and support services at Monterey, and Chris Hughes, Monterey’s president, proffered by Monterey in response to Brinkley’s declarations regarding procedural unconscionability. Brinkley also contends that the trial court erred in admitting the RIC, itself, in evidence, arguing that Monterey failed to properly authenticate it. Finally, she contends that even if the trial court properly admitted this evidence, the court erred in failing to hold an evidentiary hearing on these matters.

As Brinkley acknowledges, the trial court’s ruling on an evidentiary objection is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. (See State v. Thomas (2004) 150 Wn.2d 821, 869 [83 P.3d 970] [“The admission or exclusion of evidence is in the discretion of the trial court.”]; see also People v. Waidla (2000) 22 Cal.4th 690, 111 [94 Cal.Rptr.2d 396, 996 P.2d 46] [“Broadly speaking, an appellate court applies the abuse of discretion standard of review to any ruling by a trial court on the admissibility of evidence.”].)

According to Brinkley, the Pruitt and Hughes declarations “appear to be based on either (1) discussions with REIE employees or review of REIE records, or (2) speculation of what must have happened based on a general understanding of the process.” Brinkley suggests that Monterey was required to provide evidence from a representative of REIE “or anyone else who would have had direct contact with Brinkley when she signed the RIC contract.” We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting these declarations.

Pruitt declares that in 2011, when Brinkley signed the RIC, Pruitt was the person responsible for “responding to potential - buyer inquiries related to REIE’s on-line retail installment contracts and helping potential buyers complete the e-signature process,” and that because of her former position she is “familiar with the on-line software and application processes Ms. Brinkley was required to follow to sign the agreement at issue here . . . .” Pruitt explained that Monterey’s services to its clients, like REIE, include “facilitating on-line applications relating to retail installment contracts associated with . . . financing [to customers of Monterey’s clients].” Pruitt’s declaration established that although Brinkley was contracting with REIE, Monterey was the entity that provided the service by which REIE entered into contracts with customers like Brinkley. Monterey therefore possessed firsthand knowledge of the process by which consumers would access and sign the RIC. Pruitt established her personal knowledge of this process, and could attest to that process without having to have had “discussions with REIE employees or review of REIE records” and without “speculating] ” regarding “what must have happened.”

Further, the trial court was free to conclude that it believed that the RIC attached to Pruitt’s declaration was an accurate copy of the agreement between Brinkley and REIE. “A business record is admissible as competent evidence ‘if the custodian or other qualified witness testifies to its identity and the mode of its preparation, and if it was made in the regular course of business, at or near the time of the act, condition or event, and if, in the opinion of the court, the sources of information, method and time of preparation were such as to justify its admission.’ ” (Bavand v. Chase Home Finance LLC (2015) (Wn.Ct.App., July 20, 2015) 2015 Wn.App. Lexis 1569, p. *7 (Bavand).) Further, courts “interpret the statutory terms ‘custodian’ and ‘other qualified witness’ broadly.” (Ibid.) In addition, Washington statutory law “does not require examination of the person who actually made the record. [Citation.] Testimony by one who has custody of the record as a regular part of his work or who has supervision of its creation will be sufficient to properly introduce the record.” (State v. Iverson (2005) 126 Wn.App. 329, 337-338 [108 P.3d 799].) Pruitt’s declaration in this regard was sufficient to demonstrate to the trial court that the RIC was a true and correct copy of the agreement entered into by Brinkley and REIE. The trial court therefore did not err by admitting Pruitt’s declaration or the attached RIC.

Because Pruitt’s declaration attaches the relevant RIC entered into between Brinkley and REIE, and also provides information regarding the process by which consumers would access the RIC and complete the e-signature process, Hughes’s declaration, which was intended merely to provide the foundation for the admission of evidence of the RIC between Brinkley and REIE, was rendered redundant and thus, unnecessary. The trial court’s decision not to sustain Brinkley’s objections to it, however, does not amount to an abuse of discretion, given that the trial court could have been satisfied that Hughes also was aware of the manner in which Monterey’s records were kept.

We are similarly unconvinced by Brinkley’s contention that the trial court should have held an evidentiary hearing in order to resolve evidentiary conflicts that exist based on the parties’ submitted declarations. Brinkley contends that there is a “sharp []” dispute about “whether the RIC contract upon which the motion is based is the correct one.” She bases this on a statement in her declaration in which she indicates that, because she received a copy of the signed agreement from Monterey, and not from REIE, she “ha[s] no idea if such document is, in fact, the actual document that I electronically signed online on August 24, 2011.”

Despite this statement in Brinkley’s declaration, the trial court could have reasonably concluded that it should accord greater weight to Pruitt’s declaration, to which the RIC, including Brinkley’s electronic signature, was attached, given Pruitt’s testimony regarding her role in keeping Monterey’s business records pertaining to REIE’s installment contracts with customers. The court therefore had no need to hold an evidentiary hearing to take live witness testimony, and it did not abuse its discretion in declining to do so.

C. Application of procedural unconscionability standards

Brinkley asserts that the arbitration clause is procedurally unconscionable because “it did not offer [Brinkley] a meaningful choice” given the manner in which the contract was entered, and it failed to provide her with a “ ‘reasonable opportunity to understand the terms,’ ” in part on the ground that the contract did not include or attach the American Arbitration Association (AAA) rules that it was incorporating.

1. Brinkley did not lack a meaningful choice

Brinkley contends that she was not given “a meaningful choice” because “she (1) was not given any opportunity to make changes to the pre-printed online agreement, (2) was not allowed adequate time to review all of the terms or to have an attorney review it, (3) did not have any power to negotiate the terms, (4) was informed she had to sign the agreement in order to get financing as it was presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, (5) never received a copy of the signed agreement from REIE, and (6) never received a copy of the assignment.”

Brinkley’s first, third, and fourth contentions refer to the adhesive nature of the RIC. It is true that Brinkley had no opportunity to make changes to the terms of the agreement or negotiate price or other terms, and that her ability to obtain financing from REIE was nonnegotiable and dependent on her entering into the RIC as offered. However, in our view, the fact that the RIC is a contract of adhesion does not, by itself, render it procedurally unconscionable such that the arbitration provision included in the RIC may not be enforced. (See Zuver, supra, 103 P.3d at p. 760.) In Zuver, the Washington Supreme Court held that in the context of an employment agreement, the existence of unequal bargaining power between the parties is insufficient to demonstrate that an arbitration provision was procedurally unconscionable, despite the employee’s contention that the “unequal bargaining power precluded her from ‘ “enjoying a meaningful opportunity to negotiate and choose the terms of the contract.” ’ ” (Ibid.) Rather, an employee “must show some evidence that the [party with the greater bargaining power] refused to respond to her questions or concerns, placed undue pressure on her to sign the agreement without providing her with a reasonable opportunity to consider its terms, and/or that the terms of the agreement were set forth in such a way that an average person could not understand them.” (Id. at p. 761.) We therefore consider whether other aspects of the transaction indicate that Brinkley was not provided any meaningful choice in the matter.

In addition to her claims regarding the adhesive nature of the agreement, Brinkley contends that she was “not allowed adequate time to review all of the terms or to have an attorney review it.” Brinkley states in her declaration: “I was not allowed adequate time to review all of the terms of REIE’s pre-printed online agreement or meet with any attorney or have an attorney review the agreement prior to electronically signing my agreement with REDE.” Notably, Brinkley does not state how much time she was provided to review the terms of the five-page document. However, Brinkley first submitted a credit application to REIE in order to obtain financing to purchase the real estate classes “on or about August 10, 2011.” According to ordinary course of business for REIE and Monterey with respect to these contracts, Brinkley “would have been notified that her credit application was approved and that she could proceed with the e-signature process” on the same day that she applied. Upon being notified of an approval for credit, an applicant like Brinkley was provided “30 days to complete the e-signature process,” and during this time period, an applicant would be given “unfettered access to the document on-line.”

During the 30-day period after Brinkley received notification that her credit application had been approved, “[o]n August 23, 2011, Monterey sent Ms. Brinkley a follow up email with instructions for completing the application process.” Brinkley signed the document on August 24, 2011, approximately 14 days after first having access to the RIC. We are unconvinced that a 14-day period to review a five-page document is “inadequate,” notwithstanding Brinkley’s conclusory statement in her declaration that she was “not allowed adequate time to review all of the terms of REIE’s pre-printed online agreement.” In any event, Brinkley’s statement regarding the adequacy of the time that she was provided appears to be nothing more than a legal conclusion about the sufficiency of time provided to her to review and understand the RIC, and as such it is of little evidentiary value. (See Bavand, supra, 2015 Wn.App. Lexis 1569 at pp. *8-*9 [although an expert may provide testimony regarding “an ultimate issue for the trier of fact to determine, a witness may not give legal conclusions”].)

To the extent that Brinkley suggests that she did not have a meaningful choice with respect to the RIC on the ground that she “never received a copy of the signed agreement from REIE,” we find this contention to be without merit. The very first line of the document states: “To print this document— right-click on your mouse and select print from the popup menu.” Brinkley was provided the opportunity to print and retain (and review repeatedly) a copy of the RIC, with her e-signature, during this process. Given these circumstances, and the fact that Brinkley has not suggested that she was unable to print the document or did not have access to a printer, the fact that Brinkley was given the opportunity to print the document in this manner is sufficient to overcome Brinkley’s contention that the RIC should be considered procedurally unconscionable because she did not receive a signed copy of it.

Brinkley’s contention that she was not provided with a copy of the assignment of the RIC between REIE and Monterey is of no significance for purposes of our procedural unconscionability analysis. The RIC specifically informs consumers that the “Seller may assign this Agreement to any third party without prior notice to you,” and that “[u]pon any such assignment, such third party will become the holder of this agreement and your creditor.” Beyond this, the RIC even informs consumers that “Seller intends to assign this agreement to Monterey Financial Services, [I]nc., 4095 Avenida de la Plata, Oceanside, CA 92056 (‘Monterey’),” and that “[a]fter the assignment of this Agreement to Monterey, all questions concerning the terms of this Agreement or payments should be directed to Monterey at its address indicated above.” The portion of the RIC that included signature lines related to an assignment of the contract was specifically marked “TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS BOX ARE NOT PART OF THE BUYER’S AGREEMENT.” In these circumstances, the fact that Brinkley was not provided a copy of the assignment between REIE and Monterey did not affect Brinkley’s ability to have a meaningful choice with respect to entering into the RIC, nor did it in any way prejudice her ability to understand the terms of the agreement or have a meaningful opportunity to understand her rights and obligations.

2. The failure to attach the AAA rules does not render the arbitration agreement unconscionable

Brinkley contends that the arbitration agreement is procedurally unconscionable because she was not given an opportunity to fully understand the terms of the agreement, given that the RIC provided for arbitration to be completed in accordance with the AAA rules, but failed to include or attach those rules.

It appears that Monterey concedes that neither a copy of the AAA rules nor a link to a relevant version of the rules was attached to or included in the RIC. However, we do not consider this to be a ground for concluding that the entire arbitration agreement is procedurally unconscionable. Although it appears that Washington courts have yet to consider this issue, as other courts have noted, the arbitration rules referenced in the RIC were relatively easily accessible to Brinkley, given that they are available on the Internet, and she was already online completing the e-signature process. (See Lane v. Francis Capital Management LLC (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 676, 691 [168 Cal.Rptr.3d 800] (Lane) [failure to attach a copy of the AAA rules did not render the agreement procedurally unconscionable given that parties could easily access AAA rules on the Internet]; see also Boghos v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London (2005) 36 Cal.4th 495, 505, fn. 6 [30 Cal.Rptr.3d 787, 115 P.3d 68] [up-to-date text of AAA rules is available on AAA’s Internet site].)

Brinkley points out that in Brown, supra, 306 P.3d 948, the Washington Supreme Court applied California law and found procedural unconscionability where an arbitration provision incorporated the AAA rules but did not provide the rules. However, in Brown, the court’s concern was not the failure of the defendant to attach the AAA rules to the contract at issue, but, rather, the fact that there was “ambiguity concerning which set of [AAA] rules applies,” which presented “procedural surprise” to the plaintiffs. (Brown, supra, at p. 954.) According to the court, this was a particularly problematic issue in that case because the underlying claim involved a question whether the plaintiffs were employees misclassified as independent contractors, and it was thus “unclear whether the parties would arbitrate under the employment rules or commercial rules.” (Ibid.) In addition, the defendant had “changed its position several times regarding which set of AAA rules is appropriate,” which further resulted in “procedural surprise.” (Id. at p. 268.)

This same degree of “procedural surprise” does not appear to exist under the circumstances of this case, and we are not convinced that California courts would agree with the Brown court’s application of California law (see, e.g., Lane, supra, 224 Cal.App.4th at pp. 691-692 [no procedural unconscionability despite adhesion contract referencing AAA rules but not including rules]; Peng v. First Republic Bank (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 1462, 1472 [162 Cal.Rptr.3d 545] [“failure to attach the AAA rules, standing alone, is insufficient grounds to support a finding of procedural unconscionability”]; Bigler v. Harker School (2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 121, 737 [153 Cal.Rptr.3d 78] [no procedural unconscionability despite failure to attach AAA rules, and even in earlier cases, failure to attach rules was of “minor significance” in analysis]), or that the Washington Supreme Court would see the issue the same way if it were to interpret Washington law in circumstances such as those before us.

ii. Substantive unconscionability

Brinkley contends that the arbitration provision is substantively unconscionable because it (a) “imposes prohibitive costs,” (b) requires arbitration to take place in San Diego, California, which is Monterey’s place of business, and (c) “threatens Brinkley with an award of attorney fees against her if she loses.”

In contrast with procedural unconscionability, substantive unconscionability involves cases “ ‘ “where a clause or term in the contract is . . . one-sided or overly harsh ....”’ [Citation.] However, such unfairness must truly stand out. ‘ “ ‘Shocking to the conscience,’ ‘monstrously harsh,’ and ‘exceedingly calloused’ are terms sometimes used to define substantive unconscionability.” ’ ” (Torgerson, supra, 210 P.3d at p. 323.)

The existence of substantive unconscionability, alone, is sufficient to support a finding of unconscionability, such that a contract provision may not be enforced. (Adler v. Fred Lind Manor (2004) 153 Wn.2d 331, 346-347 [103 P.3d 773] (Adler).)

A. Arbitration costs

Brinkley asserts that requiring her to arbitrate her claims imposes prohibitive costs on her. It appears that Brinkley is basing this argument on the filing fees that she would be required to pay pursuant to the AAA rules, as well as the potential costs of traveling to San Diego, California, the venue imposed by the arbitration agreement. Brinkley argues that the AAA rules would require her to pay an initial filing fee of $975 and a “case service fee” or final fee of $300 on her individual claims, not including the arbitrator’s fees. She states that these “filing fees alone were more than she could afford to pay REDE toward [the] classes” that she purchased from them. Brinkley also posits that the choice-of-venue provision in the arbitration agreement, which requires her to travel to San Diego, California, where Monterey is based, to engage in arbitration, “further supports her claim that the arbitration costs [are] prohibitive.”

An arbitration agreement is unconscionable “when the party opposing arbitration reasonably shows in law or equity that prohibitive costs are likely to render the arbitral forum inaccessible.” (Mendez v. Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. (2002) 111 Wn.App. 446, 465 [45 P.3d 594].) Washington has “adopted a burden-shifting analysis” for considering challenges that an arbitration clause “effectively denies [a plaintiff] the ability to vindicate her rights” because of prohibitive costs. (Gandee v. LDL Freedom Enterprises (2013) 176 Wn.2d 598, 604 [293 P.3d 1197] (Gandee).) The party opposing arbitration on substantive unconscionability grounds must present evidence that arbitration would impose prohibitive costs. (Ibid.) “ ‘[A]n affidavit describing [the party’s] personal finances as well as fee information obtained from the American Arbitration Association^’ can be sufficient to meet this burden. [Citation.] The party seeking arbitration can then present offsetting evidence as to the likelihood of bearing those costs.” (Ibid., quoting & citing Adler, supra, 103 P.3d at p. 785.)

The evidence that Brinkley has supplied demonstrates that her filing costs for the arbitration may be approximately $975 plus $300, for a total of $1,275, which, she contends, is more than she was able to “put down” as a down payment for the real estate classes she purchased from REIE, which was $850. She also cites to her declaration, in which she states that she is a “ ‘single mother of limited financial means’ ” who “ ‘did not have the funds to pay for the coaching classes’ ” — classes that she signed up for in order “ ‘to try to improve [her] financial condition.’ ” She concludes that she does “ ‘not have the financial ability to afford the payment of hundreds, let alone thousands of dollars in arbitration fees.’ ”

With respect to costs of travel to the site of the arbitration, unlike the plaintiff in Gandee, supra, 103 P.3d at page 1197, Brinkley did not submit any specific information about the costs that she might have to bear if required to travel to San Diego to arbitrate her individual claims. However, she asserts that although she “did not list the travel and lodging costs she would have necessarily incurred for an arbitration in San Diego, that level of proof was unnecessary when she already established she could not even afford the filing fees and arbitrator’s fees.” She contends that it is essentially irrelevant that she chose to file a class action lawsuit in San Diego because “the economics of a class action in California, where costs are shared with other class members, quite differs from the pursuit of an individual claim for $10,000 in statutory damages [citation] in a distant forum.”

Monterey asserts in response that, contrary to Brinkley’s assertions, the AAA’s “Consumer-Related Disputes Supplementary Procedures” (Consumer Supplementary Procedures) would limit Brinkley’s costs to a $200 filing fee, and that all other costs would be borne by Monterey, including the arbitrator’s fee and the arbitrator’s travel or other expenses. Brinkley contends in reply that “the supplemental procedures d[o] not apply, because they only deal[] with ‘consumable goods or services,’ involving products and services for ‘personal or household use.’ ” Brinkley does not provide any further explanation as to why she believes the Consumer Supplementary Procedures do not apply to her dispute with Monterey, and we have difficulty seeing how those AAA rules would not apply in this situation.

The Consumer Supplementary Procedures included in the record before us set forth when these rules apply to a particular dispute: “The Commercial Dispute Resolution Procedures and these Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes shall apply whenever the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or its rules are used in an agreement between a consumer and a business where the business has a standardized, systematic application of arbitration