This is an appeal from an order denying a plea of privilege. It will be reversed.
Commercial alleged three theories for reсovery: (1) breach of contract, (2) fraud and (3) deceptive trade practices. Commercial alleged a contract tо supply Joe Oil with styrene tar. There was testimony that Joe Oil would delay for as much as a week in unloading Commercial’s trailer; that Joe Oil wеnt to the people supplying material to Commercial and contracted with them directly; and that Joe Oil hired Commercial’s truck drivеrs. There is no testimony as to when this course of conduct began. However, Joe Oil alleged that the contract was entered into аbout July 10, 1975, and the course of conduct of which complaint is made began in the Spring of 1976.
Commercial is a resident of Galveston County, Texаs. Joe Oil has its principal place of business in Harris County, Texas, but it does business in Galveston County, Texas. A witness for Commercial testified that the original contract was signed at the office of Joe Oil.
Commercial asserts that venue was properly retained in Galveston County under Subdivision 7 of Article 1995, providing that in all cases of fraud suit may be brought in the county where the fraud was committed. In order to overcome a plea of privilege by relying on the fraud exception, a party must plead and prove the constituent elements of fraud.
Morgan v. Box,
Commercial alleged that Joe Oil falsely and fraudulently represented to plaintiff that the contract was to be carried out “to its full extent and spirit” that the defendant would carry on its operations in good faith; and that defendant would purchase *492 all of its styrene tar from the plaintiff. Commercial alleged that these representations were false and thаt Joe Oil breached its contract with Commercial and engaged in a course of conduct based upon a deliberate plan to avoid its contractual obligations and to sabotage plaintiff’s business and business relationships with its suppliers. Commercial alleged rеliance upon the representations and the resulting damage.
No testimony was offered concerning the negotiations leading to the contract. While there is testimony that a contract was signed, the document was not offered into evidence. There is nothing in the еvidence to show that Joe Oil had the duty of unloading Commercial’s trucks. There is no evidence to show the date on which the contract was to expire. A mere failure to perform an agreement does not constitute actual fraud establishing venue under Subdivision 7.
Underwood v. Williams,
The trial court also based its decision to overrule the plea of privilege on Section 23 of Article 1995, Vernon’s Annоtated Texas Statute. This section allows suits against a private corporation to be brought in the county in which the corporatiоn’s principal office is situated, or in the county in which the cause of action or part thereof arose, or in the county in which рlaintiff resided at the time the cause of action or part thereof arose, provided the corporation has an agency or representative in such county.
The evidence establishes that the principal office of Joe Oil Aromatics, Inc. was lоcated in Harris County, Texas. Commercial failed to prove the terms of the alleged contract. While there is evidence that Jоe Oil conducted business operations in Galveston County, there is no testimony naming a person who might be a representative of the сorporation residing in Galveston County. There is no testimony that the corporation or any of its employees maintained an office in Galveston County. There is no testimony that any person or corporation resident in Galveston County regularly conducted business in that county for Joe Oil or on behalf of Joe Oil. Venue cannot be maintained in Galveston County under Section 23 of Article 1995.
Milligan v. Southern Express, Inc.,
Commercial asserted in its petition in general language a cause of action against Joe Oil under Section 17.50, Tex.Bus. & Comm.Code. Section 17.56 of the Tex.Bus. & Comm.Codе provides that an action brought under Section 17.50 may be commenced in the county in which the person against whom the suit is brought is doing business. The еvidence establishes that Joe Oil Aromatics, Inc., is doing business in Galveston County. Section 17.50 of the Tex.Bus. & Comm.Code provides that a “consumer” may maintain an action if he has been adversely affected by any unconscionable action or course of action by any person. Section 17.45 of the Code defines “consumer” to mean an individual, partnership, or corporation who seeks or acquirеs by purchase or lease, any goods or services. “Services” is defined to mean work, labor, or service purchased or leаsed for use, for other than commercial or business use, including services furnished in connection with the sale or repair of goods.
The gеneral rule requiring a plaintiff to plead and prove a cause of action to support venue is applicable to the venue provisions of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Hudson and Hudson Relators v. Savage,
*493 Cоmmercial has failed to show that it has purchased goods from Joe Oil or that it has purchased services “for other than commercial or business use”. Section 17.50 of the Code creates a cause of action for consumers as that term is defined in the Code. Commеrcial has failed to prove a cause of action under the Code and the venue provision of the Code is, therefore, inаpplicable. Since Commercial has failed to show that it has a cause of action, the venue of which is expressly presсribed by statute, the exception to exclusive venue set out in Section 30 of Article 1995, Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes, is also inapplicаble. Hudson and Hudson Relators v. Savage, supra.
Commercial Fuel Oil Company, Inc., has failed to prove a cause of action against Joe Oil Aromatics, Inc. Thereforе, it has failed to establish a basis for venue in Galveston County, Texas.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is reversed and judgment is here rendered sustaining the plea of privilege of Joe Oil Aromatics, Inc. The cause is ordered transferred to a district court in Harris County, Texas.