Bài giảng Business Law - Chapter 21: Performance of Sales Contracts

Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill/Irwin4Formation and Terms of Sales ContractsProduct LiabilityPerformance of Sales ContractsRemedies for Breach of Sales ContractsSalesPARTPerformance of Sales ContractsPAETRHC21Business neglected is business lost.Daniel Defoe, novelist,The Complete English Tradesman (1726)Learning ObjectivesExplain meaning of good faith, course of dealing, and trade usageList basic obligations and rights of buyer and seller for delivery of and payment for goodsExplain when acceptance of goods occurs, the effect of acceptance, and right of revocationUCC is flexible, but general rules apply:Parties must act in good faith in the performance of a sales contract [1–203]If express terms of contract conflict with past course of dealing between parties, express terms prevail [1–205(4)]If express terms of contract conflict with trade usage, express terms prevail [1–205(4)]Consideration not required to support modification of contract, but parties may specify that writing required [2–209]General Rules of The UCCIf first party repeatedly fails to perform as agreed and second party fails to object, second party may have waived rights to cancel contract based on inadequate performance [2–208(3), 2–209(4)]Second party may retract waiver by reasonable notice to first party requiring strict performance [2–209(5)]More General Rules Basic duty of seller is to deliver goods that conform to contract with the buyer and basic duty of buyer is to accept and pay for goods if they conform to contract [2–301]Goods are to be delivered at seller’s place of business unless otherwise specified by contractWithin reasonable hours and for a reasonable period of time, so buyer can take possession of goods [2–503]Delivery Under The UCC Generally, buyer has right to inspect goods before he accepts or pays for themIf goods conform to contract, buyer must pay expenses of inspection, but if goods do not conform to contract, buyer may recover inspection expenses from seller [2–513(2); 2–715(1)]Inspection Under The UCC Buyer and seller may agree that price of goods is to be paid in money or other goods, services, or real propertyPayment may be more difficult in international sales, thus seller often insists on receiving an irrevocable letter of credit (diagram, page 578)Resolves currency issues and payment assurancePayment Under The UCCBuyer may revoke acceptance of nonconforming goods where: Nonconformity substantially impairs value Buyer accepted goods without knowledge of non-conformity (discovering nonconformity difficult)Buyer accepted goods because seller assured buyer it would cure defect [2–608(1)]See Waddell v. L.V.R.V. Inc.: repeated attempts to cure defects failed and buyers revoked acceptanceOnce goods accepted, buyer obligated to payExample: Weil v. MurrayAcceptance & RevocationIf a buyer rejects a delivery of goods, buyer must act within reasonable time after delivery and give seller notice of rejection, preferably in writing [2–602]Buyer should state all defects on which rejection is basedSeller may be able to cure nonconformitySee Fitl v. StrekRejection Under The UCCIf one party has reasonable basis for concern that other party may not perform, concerned party may demand assurance from the other party that the contract will be performedKoch Materials Co. v. Shore Slurry Seal, Inc.If assurances not given within reasonable time (< 30 days), contract repudiated [2–609]Repudiation may be withdrawn by clear indication of intention to performMust be before other party cancelsAssurance Under The UCCConvention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods Art. 71: party may suspend performance if it becomes apparent that other party will not perform substantial part of obligations due to: (a) a serious deficiency in ability to perform or credit-worthiness; or (b) his conduct in preparing to perform or in performing the contact Suspending performance requires immediate notice to other party and must continue with performance if other party provides assurancesAssurances & International ContractsCode rules for determining when a party is excused from performing similar to general contract rulesTest of impossibilityIn most situations, however, Code uses the test of commercial impracticability Performance highly impracticable, unreasonably expensive, or little value to promisee [UCC 2–615]Excuse for Non-PerformanceThought QuestionIf you contracted with another party for a long-term sale of goods contract, such as cement for a construction project, what kind of activities would prompt you to demand assurances of performance?