(a) Any retail seller may assign, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise transfer a retail installment contract or revolving account to any person, firm, or corporation on such terms and conditions and for such price as may be mutually agreed upon. Unless the buyer has notice of the assignment, payment thereunder made by the buyer to the last known owner of the contract or account shall be binding on all subsequent owners thereof.

(b) In no event will any such assignment bar any right of action against the seller arising as a result of this article, nor will any such assignment bar any defense against the sales finance company or other assignee arising as a result of subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-15.