chapter 22 – remedies for breach of sales contracts
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TRANSCRIPT
Formation and Terms of Sales ContractsProduct Liability
Performance of Sales ContractsRemedies for Breach of Sales Contracts
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Remedies for Breach of Sales Contracts
Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied.
Pearl S. Buck, novelistWhat America Means to
Me(1943)
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learning Objectives
Agreements as to remediesSeller’s remediesBuyer’s remedies
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Parties may agree to remedies in the contract Agreed remedy applied in
the event of a breach of contract to reduce risk
Example: “If delivery is not made by September 1, Seller will pay Buyer $1,000 as liquidated damages.”
Agreements as to Remedies
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In a liquidated damages clause, parties agree on the amount of damages to be paid to the injured party Enforced if amount is reasonable and if
actual damages would be difficult to prove Example: Baker v. International Record
Syndicate, Inc. If not enforceable because amount is a
penalty or unconscionable, injured party may recover the actual damages suffered
Liquidated Damages
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In a limitation or exclusion clause, parties agree to limit either the remedies that the law makes available or the damages that can be covered [2–719(1)] Limitations commonly placed on liability for
consequential damages But attempt to limit consequential damages
for injury to a person by consumer goods is prima facie unconscionable [2–719(3)]
Limitation or Exclusion
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Star-Shadow Productions, Inc. v. Super 8 Sync Sound System
Facts: Star-Shadow rented a camera and purchased
film, but neither film nor camera worked until supplier Super 8 finally resolved problem
Star-Shadow sued Super 8 for consequential damages and Super 8 pointed to limitation of liability clause: “Limitation of Liability: This product will be repaired if defective in manufacture or packing. Except for such replacement this product is sold without warranty or liability even though defect, damage, or loss is caused by negligence or other fault. . . .”
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Procedural History and Holding: Trial court found for Super 8 On appeal, Star-Shadow argued the
limitation of liability clause failed to adequately protect them from damages caused by the defective film
Appellate court stated: “…fact that Star-Shadow has no protection other than their bargained-for remedy of replacement film does not make the limitation of liability clause unconscionable… affirmed…”
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Star-Shadow Productions, Inc. v. Super 8 Sync Sound System
If buyer breaches the contract and seller has goods, seller has several remedies: Cancel the contract [2–703(f)] and
withhold delivery of goods [2–703(a)] Resell manufactured goods and
recover damages (difference between resale price and price buyer agreed to pay by contract [2–706])
Seller’s Remedies
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Recover purchase price of goods (must hold goods for buyer)
Recover damages for rejection/repudiation (1) difference between contract price and
current market price for the goods and (2) “profit” that seller lost when buyer did
not go through with the contract [2–708] See Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines v.
Cedar Forrest Products Co.
Seller’s Remedies - More
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If buyer is insolvent and has the goods, seller may: Recover purchase price Reclaim goods in
possession of buyer If goods are in transit,
seller may stop shipment
Seller’s Remedies - More
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Seller should select alternative that will minimize loss [2–704(2)]
Example: Madsen v. Murrey & Sons Co., Inc. Seller, who did not complete manufacture
of goods on buyer’s repudiation, but rather dismantled and largely scrapped the existing goods, was held not to have acted in a commercially reasonable manner
Duty to Mitigate Damages
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Under the (CISG), aggrieved seller has five potential remedies when a buyer breaches the contract:
(1) suspension of seller’s performance (2) “avoidance” of the contract (3) reclamation of goods in buyer’s
possession (4) an action for the price (5) an action for damages
Seller’s Remedies & The CISG
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If seller breaches the contract, the buyer has several remedies: Buy other goods (cover) and recover
damages from seller based on any additional expense that buyer incurs in obtaining the goods [2–712] Example: KGM Harvesting Co. v. Fresh
Network
Buyer’s Remedies
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KGM Harvesting Co. v. Fresh Network
Facts and Opinion: California lettuce grower (KGM) and food broker
Fresh Network (FN) did business for years Lettuce price skyrocketed and KGM refused to
supply FN at very low contract price, but sold to others at a profit
To satisfy customers, FN purchased lettuce on open market and sued KGM for cost differential
Court found in favor of Fresh Network based on UCC 2-712
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Recover damages based on difference between contract price and current market price of goods [2–713]
Recover damages for any nonconforming goods accepted by buyer based on difference in value between what buyer received and what buyer should have received [2–714]
Buyer’s Remedies - More
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Obtain specific performance of the contract where goods are unique and cannot be obtained elsewhere [2–716]
Recover damages on basis-of-the-bargain calculation for fraud and misrepresentation [2-721] Example: Green Wood Industrial Co.
v. Forceman Int’l Development Group, Inc.
Buyer’s Remedies - More
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Under the (CISG), aggrieved buyer has four potential types of remedies when a seller breaches the contract:
(1) “avoidance” of the contract (2) an adjustment in price (3) specific performance (4) an action for damages
Seller’s Remedies & The CISG
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Test Your Knowledge
True=A, False = B If buyer refuses to accept conforming
goods, seller may recover damages, such as lost profit
If an insolvent buyer has the goods, the seller may reclaim the goods from buyer
If seller breaches the contract by failing to deliver the goods, buyer may “cover” and recover damages22 - 19
Test Your Knowledge
Multiple Choice Widgets agreed to deliver 500 cases of
grommets to ToyCo by Sept. 1. Widgets knew ToyCo needed the grommets to make toys for delivery by Dec. 1. Widgets delivered the order Nov. 29. ToyCo may:(a) buy grommets elsewhere to cover(b) sue for damages(c) obtain specific performance(d) both A and B(e) all of the above22 - 20
Thought Question
Assume Nancy had a car to sell that she knew had been in an accident and repaired. Is it ethical to sell a damaged and repaired car without telling the potential buyer?
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