Sales and Leases Outline (First Edition)


Copyright © 2022 by Sellers International, LLC dba
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I.Introduction to
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A.Scope of Articl
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B.Key Terms in UC
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C.A Brief Introdu
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D.Scope of Articl
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II.Contract Forma
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A.The Basics of O
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B.The Battle of t
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C.The Statute of
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D.The Parol-Evide
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E.Modification, R
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F.Delegation and
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III.Interpreting
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A.Parties’ Genera
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B.Unconscionabili
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C.Identifying Goo
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D.Gap Fillers
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E.Risk of Loss wi
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F.Effect of Breac
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G.Course of Perfo
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IV.Creditors and
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A.Passing of Titl
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B.Seller’s Credit
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C.Special Protect
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D.Entrusting
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V.Performance
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A.The Perfect-Ten
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B.Cure
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C.Installment Con
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D.Buyer’s Right t
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E.Acceptance and
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F.Revoking Accept
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G.Insurable Inter
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H.Seller’s Tender
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I.Payment by the
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VI.Breach, Repudi
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A.Anticipatory Re
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B.Retracting an A
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C.Right to Adequa
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D.Casualty to Ide
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E.Substituted Per
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F.Impracticabilit
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VII.Warranties in
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A.Express Warrant
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B.Warranty of Tit
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C.Implied Warrant
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D.Implied Warrant
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E.Excluding and M
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F.Conflicting War
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VIII.Remedies
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A.Special Remedie
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B.Seller’s Remedi
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C.Buyer’s Remedie
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D.Buyer’s Damages
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E.Buyer’s Inciden
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F.Deducting Damag
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G.Limitation or M
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H.Statute of Limi
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I.Introduction to UCC Article 2
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The law addressing contracts for the sale of movab
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A.Scope of Article 2
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Article 2 applies to transactions in goods.
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1.Transaction in Goods Defined
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The term transaction in goods normally refers to a
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2.Contract v. Agreement
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In the UCC, agreement refers to the parties’ barga
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3.Goods Defined
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Goods include all items movable when identified to
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4.Transactions Excluded from Article 2’s Scope
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Several transactions are excluded from Article 2’s
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transactions operating only as secured transaction
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leases;
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real estate transactions;
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bailments; and
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to the extent of any conflict with Article 2, tran
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5.Contracts for Services, Construction Contracts, an
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Article 2 does not apply to contracts for services
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a.Predominant-Purpose Test
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Most courts follow the predominant-purpose test. H
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contractual language;
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the nature of the seller’s business, particularly
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what a reasonable person would believe to be the b
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the amount charged for goods, relative to services
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b.Gravamen Test
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The gravamen test considers the primary focus of t
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6.Role of the Common Law in a Transaction Subject to
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Even if the UCC applies, common-law rules also ope
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B.Key Terms in UCC Article 2
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Article 2 features many technical terms.
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1.Buyer
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A buyer is someone to whom title to goods is trans
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2.Seller
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A seller transfers title to goods or contracts to
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3.Good Faith
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Concerning a merchant, good faith means subjective
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commercial fair-dealing standards in the trade. Fo
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4.Receipt
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Receipt means taking physical possession of goods.
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5.Merchant
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A merchant (1) is in the business of selling goods
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a.Merchants Concerning the Practices Involved
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Almost any professional businessperson acting in a
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b.Merchant with Respect to Goods of the Kind
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A merchant with respect to goods of the kind has p
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6.Future Goods
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Future goods do not yet exist and are not yet iden
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7.Goods or Conduct Conforming to the Contract
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To conform to the contract, goods or conduct must
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II.Contract Formation and Modification under Article
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In Article 2, contract formation generally demands
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A.The Basics of Offer, Acceptance, and Consideration
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An offer is an offeror’s manifestation of willingn
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1.A Merchant’s Firm Offer under UCC Article 2
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If a merchant offers, in a signed writing, to buy
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B.The Battle of the Forms
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Under UCC § 2-207, an acceptance may form a contra
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1.Significance of a Definite and Seasonable Expressi
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Generally, if the offeree sends definite, seasonab
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2.Result if the Parties’ Writings Do Not Form a Cont
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If the parties’ writings do not form a contract, y
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3.Whether Additional Terms Become Part of the Final
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An additional term is one that adds to, but does n
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a.Rules for Additional Terms in a Contract between M
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Between merchants, additional terms in the accepta
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the offer expressly limits acceptance to the offer
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the additional terms materially alter the offer, o
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notification of objection to the additional terms
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i.Whether Additional Terms Materially Alter the Offe
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An additional term materially alters the offer if
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a requirement to arbitrate disputes,
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indemnification,
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a limitation of liability or warranty disclaimer,
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a term reallocating risk of loss.
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b.Rule if One Party Is Not a Merchant
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If the parties’ writings form a contract, and one
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c.Whether Different Terms (as Opposed to Additional
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Some courts treat different terms the same as addi
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C.The Statute of Frauds
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A contract for the sale of goods with a price of $
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1.Written Confirmation in a Contract between Merchan
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Between merchants, special rules apply if one part
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2.Exception for Specially Manufactured Goods
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A contract failing the statute of frauds is noneth
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the goods are specially manufactured for the buyer
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the goods are not suitable for sale, other than to
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the seller substantially begins to manufacture the
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3.Exception for Judicial Admissions
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A valid contract subject to the statute of frauds
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4.Exception for Part Performance
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A valid contract subject to the statute of frauds
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D.The Parol-Evidence Rule
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UCC’s parol-evidence rule covers integrated terms,
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parties’ writings agree and (2) terms in a writing
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1.Merger Clause as a Factor in Determining Whether a
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A merger clause states that the writing embodies t
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2.Things the Parol-Evidence Rule Does Not Bar
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The parol-evidence rule does not bar evidence to:
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interpret an ambiguous term;
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determine whether the agreement is fully or partia
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determine whether there is a valid, enforceable co
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show the transaction’s true nature;
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show a modification to the agreement;
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establish or disprove a defense to enforcement;
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prove fraud or mistake;
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prove that the contract does not reflect the parti
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show evidence of collateral undertakings.
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E.Contract Modification under Article 2 Generally
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In Article 2, a good-faith contract modification r
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F.Delegation and Assignment
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Under Article 2, the parties may delegate their co
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1.Delegation
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Generally, a party may delegate her contractual du
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the parties agreed to limit or bar delegation;
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delegation would violate public policy or statute;
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the counterparty has a substantial interest in hav
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2.Assignment
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Unless otherwise agreed (and except as provided in
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change the other party’s duty,
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increase the other party’s burden or risk stemming
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impair the other party’s chance to obtain return p
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a.Validity of Contractual Prohibitions on Assignment
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Article 2 generally honors contractual prohibition
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b.Effect of Assignment on Assignor
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A mere assignment does not absolve the assignor of
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c.Effect of Assignment on Assignee
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As to any rights assigned, the assignee becomes en
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performance and may sue, in her own name, to enfor
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III.Interpreting the Contract
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Article 2 boasts many rules governing contract int
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A.Parties’ General Obligations
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The seller’s general duty is to deliver goods (1)
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B.Unconscionability
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Unconscionability applies if the court finds that,
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1.Basic Test for Unconscionability
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There are two types of unconscionability: procedur
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a.Procedural Unconscionability
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Procedural unconscionability speaks to the fundame
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the phrasing, clarity, and placement of the assert
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whether the terms were available to the party asse
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the parties’ relative sophistication;
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whether the contract was one of adhesion;
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whether one would reasonably expect the challenged
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the parties’ relative bargaining power and ability
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whether the party asserting unconscionability had
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b.Substantive Unconscionability
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Substantive unconscionability means that the contr
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C.Identifying Goods to the Contract
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Identification occurs when particular goods, wheth
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D.Risk of Loss without a Breach of Contract under §
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Section 2-509 sets forth the rules (absent contrar
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1.Risk of Loss in a Shipment Contract
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In a shipment contract, the seller must or may shi
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2.Risk of Loss in a Destination Contract
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In a destination contract, the seller is authorize
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3.Rule in Cases Not Involving Shipment Contracts, De
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In cases that do not involve shipment contracts, d
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E.Effect of Breach on Risk of Loss under § 2-510
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If either the buyer or the seller has breached the
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1.Risk of Loss if Seller’s Tender or Delivery Does N
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If the seller breaches by tendering or delivering
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2.Risk of Loss if Buyer Breaches the Contract
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Special rules apply if the buyer breaches the cont
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F.Course of Performance, Course of Dealing, and Usag
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Apart from express language, perhaps the most impo
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1.Course of Performance and Course of Dealing
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Course of performance references the parties’ sequ
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transaction. A course of performance exists only i
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a.Relevance of Course of Performance and Course of D
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A course of performance or course of dealing betwe
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2.Usage of Trade
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A usage of trade is a practice or a method of deal
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a.Relevance of Usage of Trade in Interpreting a Cont
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Usage of trade is relevant to contract interpretat
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3.Hierarchy of Interpretation: Express Terms, Course
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As a general rule, the agreement’s express terms a
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express terms control course of performance, cours
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course of performance controls course of dealing a
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course of dealing controls usage of trade.
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IV.Performance
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Part 5 of Article 2 sets forth detailed provisions
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A.The Perfect-Tender Rule
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Under the perfect-tender rule, both the goods and
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B.Cure
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Generally, the seller’s right to cure under § 2-50
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1.Giving the Seller a Further Reasonable Time beyond
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Sometimes, the buyer will reject a nonconforming t
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C.Buyer’s Right to Inspect the Goods
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Unless otherwise agreed, the buyer has a right to
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D.Acceptance and Rejection of Goods
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Whether and when the buyer accepts or rejects good
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1.How the Buyer Accepts the Goods
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Normally, the buyer accepts the goods by:
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signifying to the seller, by words or conduct and
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after a reasonable opportunity for inspection, fai
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undertaking any action inconsistent with the selle
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2.Effects of Acceptance
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Article 2 lists several effects of the buyer’s acc
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3.Manner of Rejection
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To be effective, any rejection must occur within a
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E.Revoking Acceptance
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Even if a buyer accepts goods, Article 2 sometimes
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1.Basic Requirements for Buyer to Revoke Acceptance
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The buyer may revoke acceptance of a lot or commer
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2.Time to Revoke Acceptance
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The buyer must revoke acceptance (1) within a reas
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F.Seller’s Tender of Delivery and Shipment of Goods
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From the seller’s perspective, tender means to pla
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1.Seller’s Tender Obligations in a Shipment Contract
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In a shipment contract, the seller must (unless ot
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2.Tender of Delivery in a Destination Contract
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In a destination contract, tender occurs once the
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V.Breach, Repudiation, and Excuse
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Part 6 of Article 2 sets forth many rules to help
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A.Anticipatory Repudiation
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A breach by anticipatory repudiation occurs if:
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either party repudiates the contract,
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the repudiation concerns a performance not yet due
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the loss of that performance will substantially im
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1.Repudiation Defined
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A repudiation is an overt, clear communication tha
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2.Whether Lack of Repudiated Performance Will Substa
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Substantial impairment means that the nonrepudiati
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3.Nonrepudiating Party’s Remedies for Anticipatory R
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Upon an anticipatory repudiation, the nonrepudiati
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await the repudiating party’s performance for a co
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invoke any remedy for breach; or
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in either case, suspend performance, proceed under
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B.Retracting an Anticipatory Repudiation
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A repudiating party may cut off the nonrepudiating
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cancelled the contract,
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materially changed position in reliance on the rep
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otherwise indicated that she considers the repudia
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C.Right to Adequate Assurance of Performance
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Special rules apply if reasonable grounds for inse
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1.Reasonable Grounds for Insecurity
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Reasonable grounds for insecurity as to one party’
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the nature of the contract,
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the parties’ relationship,
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information gleaned from apparently trustworthy so
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the counterparty’s performance on the current cont
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2.Demand for Assurances without Reasonable Grounds f
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If a party demands adequate assurance of due perfo
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D.Impracticability of Performance
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The impracticability doctrine may excuse the selle
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1.Impracticability Only Partially Affecting Seller’s
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Special rules apply if the impracticability only p
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VI.Warranties in UCC Article 2
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Article 2 both acknowledges express warranties and
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A.Express Warranties
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Article 2 articulates three distinct ways for the
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an affirmation of fact or promise,
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a description of the goods, or
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a sample or model.
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1.Express Warranty by Affirmation of Fact or Promise
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An affirmation of fact or promise from the seller
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2.Express Warranty by Description of the Goods
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A description of the goods creates an express warr
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3.Express Warranty by Sample or Model
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If a sample or model becomes part of the basis of
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4.Affirmation of the Goods’ Value or the Seller’s Op
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Two types of statements cannot create an express w
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5.Whether an Affirmation, Promise, Description, Mode
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In deciding whether a representation becomes part
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B.Implied Warranty of Merchantability
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Absent valid disclaimer, a seller who is a merchan
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1.Requirements for Merchantability
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Generally, merchantable means of at least average
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under the contract description, pass without objec
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if the goods are fungible, be of average, fair qua
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be fit for the ordinary purposes for which goods o
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run of even kind, quantity, and quality among all
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be adequately labeled, packaged, and contained as
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conform to any promises or affirmations of fact on
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2.Fitness for the Ordinary Purpose for Which the Goo
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The most important and litigated requirement for m
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are as safe as the ordinary user would reasonably
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conform to industry or government standards;
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are marketable or usable; and
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are of average quality.
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3.Time of Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantabil
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The implied warranty of merchantability is breache
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4.Plaintiff’s Conduct as a Limitation on Recovery
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The plaintiff’s conduct can lead to a finding that
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misuse of the goods, at least if unforeseeable;
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failure to follow suitably conspicuous and clear i
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substantially altering the goods; or
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continuing to use the goods, even after the buyer
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C.Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpo
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The implied warranty of fitness for a particular p
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D.Excluding and Modifying Warranties
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Within limits, Article 2 permits parties to exclud
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1.Excluding or Modifying Express Warranties
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To the extent reasonable, any words or conduct ten
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2.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Mer
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There are two general ways to exclude or modify th
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3.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Fit
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There are two general ways to exclude or modify th
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4.Conspicuous Defined
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Conspicuous means that a term is written, presente
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E.Conflicting Warranties
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Article 2 sets forth rules to reconcile cumulative
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Generally, unless unreasonable in a given case, wa
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1.Rules to Determine the Parties’ Intent Concerning
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If the parties’ intent determines which warranty p
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exact or technical specifications prevail over bot
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a sample taken from a bulk in existence prevails o
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an express warranty displaces the implied warranty
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the implied warranty of fitness for a particular p
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VII.Remedies
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Part 7 of Article 2 sets forth most of the seller’
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A.Seller’s Remedies on the Buyer’s Insolvency
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If the seller discovers that the buyer is insolven
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B.Liquidated Damages
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Generally, a liquidated-damages provision sets the
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C.Seller’s Remedies
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The seller’s remedies for the buyer’s breach inclu
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withholding delivery of the goods;
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cancelling the contract;
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identifying goods to the contract despite the brea
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stopping delivery by a bailee under § 2-705;
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reselling the goods and recovering damages from th
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recovering damages for nonacceptance under § 2-708
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bringing an action for the price under § 2-709.
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1.Seller’s Options Regarding Unfinished Goods
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If the goods are unfinished when the buyer breache
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finish the goods and identify them to the contract
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stop manufacturing the goods and resell them for t
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take any other reasonable action.
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2.Resale by Seller
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Perhaps the seller’s principal remedy in Article 2
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a.Seller’s Damages on Proper Resale
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Assuming the seller implements the resale in good
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b.Implementing the Resale
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Generally, the resale may be by public or private
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i.Rules for Resale by Private Sale
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In a private resale, the seller must, within a rea
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ii.Resale by Public Sale
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Special rules apply to public resales, including:
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only identified goods can be resold, unless there
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the resale must occur at a usual place or market f
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the seller must give the buyer reasonable notice o
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if the sale occurs somewhere other than the goods’
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the seller may bid.
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c.Rule That All Aspects of the Resale Must Be Commer
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Generally, the resale is commercially reasonable i
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3.Seller’s Damages for Buyer’s Nonacceptance or Repu
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The general damages formula of § 2-708 applies if
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4.Seller’s Lost Profits
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The seller can recover lost profits plus incidenta
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a.Calculating Damages Based on Lost Profits
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Damages for lost profits equal (1) the contract pr
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b.The Lost-Volume Seller
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A lost-volume seller may recover lost profits if:
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the seller had the capacity to make a sale in addi
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both the sale to the breaching buyer and the other
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but for the buyer’s breach, the seller likely woul
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i.Due Allowance for Resale Proceeds and the Lost-Vol
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Ordinarily, resale proceeds are not deducted from
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5.Seller’s Action for the Price
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The seller may recover the price if the buyer has
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the buyer has accepted the goods and not justifiab
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conforming goods are lost or damaged within a comm
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the seller could not resell identified goods at a
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6.Seller’s Incidental Damages
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The seller’s incidental damages include commercial
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D.Buyer’s Remedies for Goods Not Accepted
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The buyer has specific remedies, in addition to ca
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1.Cover
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Cover means that the buyer can make a reasonable p
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a.Commercially Reasonable Cover
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Commercially reasonable cover does not require ter
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b.Cover Damages
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Assuming proper cover, the buyer can recover (1) t
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2.Buyer’s Rights on Seller’s Nondelivery or Repudiat
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Section 2-713 sets forth the general damages formu
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a.General Damages Formula under § 2-713
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The general damages formula under § 2-713 is (1) t
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3.Buyer’s Right to Specific Performance
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The buyer may obtain specific performance, but onl
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a.Discretionary Nature of Specific Performance
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Courts may deny specific performance even if the r
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the difficulty of proving damages with reasonable
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the difficulty of obtaining substitute goods with
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the likelihood that a damages award could not be c
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E.Buyer’s Damages for Breach Regarding Accepted Good
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If the buyer has accepted goods and not revoked ac
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1.General Measure of Direct Damages
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Generally, direct damages equal the difference bet
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F.Buyer’s Incidental Damages
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Generally speaking, the buyer’s incidental damages
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expenses reasonably incurred in handling nonconfor
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expenses of implementing cover, that is, locating
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other expenses incident to the breach.
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G.Buyer’s Consequential Damages
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Only the buyer may recover consequential damages.
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H.Limitation or Modification of Remedies in the Agre
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As a general rule, and subject to the rules on liq
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1.Exclusive or Limited Remedy That Fails of Its Esse
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An exclusive or limited remedy will not apply if i
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2.Limiting or Excluding Consequential Damages
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The agreement may generally limit or exclude conse
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I.Introduction to UCC Article 2
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Whether in times of war, peace, prosperity, or eco
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A.Scope of Article 2
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UCC Article 2 applies to transactions in goods. Ar
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1.Transaction in Goods Defined
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The UCC does not define the term transaction in go
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a.Sale Defined
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In Article 2, a sale is (1) the passing of title t
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b.Contracts and Agreements for the Sale of Goods
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Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms c
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i.Distinguishing Transactions Merely Related to a Sa
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Some transactions relate to a sale of goods, or ar
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ii.Contract v. Agreement
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Though the terms contract and agreement are often
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c.Goods Defined
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The talismanic definition of goods in Article 2 is
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i.Size of Goods as Irrelevant
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In Article 2, a thing’s size is irrelevant to whet
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ii.Movable Things
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A good, under UCC Article 2, is a movable thing. T
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iii.Things Movable at the Time of Their Identification
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To be a good under Article 2, not only must a thin
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iv.Exception for Things to Be Severed from Realty
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There is one notable exception to the requirement
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1)Minerals, Including Oil and Gas, and Structures to
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A contract for the sale of minerals and similar su
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Note: Before the minerals, structure, or the struc
37

Example:
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A buyer and seller contracted for the seller to pr
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2)Growing Crops and Other Things Attached to Land an
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Contracts for the sale of goods include contracts
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Example:
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A contractor built a house. To that end, the contr
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3)Protection of Third Parties’ Rights in Things to B
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Before minerals, crops, structures, and so on are
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2.Transactions Excluded from Article 2’s Scope
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Several types of transactions are excluded from Ar
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transactions operating only as secured transaction
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leases;
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transactions in real property;
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bailments; and
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to the extent of any conflict, transactions subjec
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[U.C.C. § 2-102 (1951).]
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a.Secured Transactions
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Article 2 does not apply to a transaction intended
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b.Leases
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A lease of goods falls under UCC Article 2A, not A
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c.Transactions in Real Property
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Real property is not a good. Accordingly, Article
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d.Bailments
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Article 2 does not apply to bailments of goods. As
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Example:
39

A teacher purchased a bedroom set and dresser from
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Note: Before the adoption of UCC Article 2A, many
40

e.Laws Regulating Sales to Specified Classes of Buye
40

Article 2, by its terms, does not “impair or repea
40

Example:
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A homeowner unplugged a television from an electri
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3.Contracts for Services, Construction Contracts, an
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Article 2 does not apply to contracts for services
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a.Predominant-Purpose Test
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To determine whether UCC Article 2 applies to a hy
41

b.Factors in Applying Predominant-Purpose Test
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Courts consider several factors in applying the pr
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the contractual language,
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the nature of the seller’s business,
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the final product the purchaser entered the bargai
41

the amount charged for goods v. the amount charged
41

[Audio Visual Artistry v. Tanzer,
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i.Contractual Language as a Factor in the Predominan
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In applying the predominant-purpose test, courts g
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ii.Nature of the Seller’s Business as a Factor in the
41

In the predominant-purpose test, the nature of the
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iii.What the Purchaser Bargained to Receive as a Facto
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A key factor in the predominant-purpose test is th
42

iv.The Amount Charged for Goods v. the Amount Charged
42

Many hybrid contracts will itemize the amount char
42

Examples:
42

(1) A homeowner and retailer contracted for the re
42

(2) A dentist and retailer contracted for the reta
43

Compare:
43

Two spouses owned a private plane. Preparing for a
43

c.Gravamen Test
43

The gravamen test oftentimes produces quite differ
43

Examples:
43

(1) A man underwent surgery at a hospital to repai
43

(2) A woman went to a beauty salon for a permanent
44

4.Role of the Common Law in a Transaction Subject to
44

Even if the UCC governs a transaction, the common
44

B.Key Terms in UCC Article 2
44

UCC Article 2 features many technical terms of art
44

1.Buyer
45

In Article 2, a buyer is someone who buys goods or
45

a.Agents as Buyers, or Not
45

Insofar as an employee or agent deals on the princ
45

b.Financiers and Buyers
45

The mere fact that a party finances a purchase of
45

c.Middlemen as Buyers and Sellers
45

A middleman is one who buys goods from a supplier
45

d.Secured Creditor Repossessing Goods
45

Once a secured creditor repossesses goods, the sec
45

2.Seller
46

In Article 2, a seller is one who either (1) sells
46

a.Agents as Sellers, or Not
46

Ordinarily, one acting as agent or employee for th
46

b.Remote Sellers Dealing through Middlemen
46

Generally, if a manufacturer or other remote selle
46

c.Mere Performer of Services
46

In UCC Article 2, one who merely performs services
46

Example:
46

A developer took some equipment to a mechanic for
46

Compare:
46

A developer took some equipment to a mechanic for
46

equipment, furnishing several parts in so doing. I
47

d.Financiers and Sellers
47

Ordinarily, one who merely finances a sale is not
47

3.Good Faith
47

As to a merchant, good faith means “honesty in fac
47

a.The General Obligation of Good Faith
47

In general, good faith requires honoring the spiri
47

b.Reasonable Commercial Standards of Fair Dealing
47

The objective prong of good faith requires observi
47

c.Good Faith and Discretion to Set Contractual Terms
48

Issues of good faith often arise if the contract a
48

Example:
48

An oil supplier asked its dealers to implement a t
48

4.Receipt
48

In UCC Article 2, receipt of goods means taking ph
48

5.Merchant
48

In UCC Article 2, a merchant is one who deals in t
48

a.Merchants Concerning the Practices Involved
49

Virtually any professional businessperson acting i
49

b.Merchant with Respect to Goods of the Kind
49

Merchants with respect to goods of the kind repres
49

Examples:
49

(1) An auctioneer operated a livestock auction. Fa
49

(2) A dealer purchased and sold Christmas trees fr
50

c.Relevance of the Distinction between Merchants Con
50

It is oftentimes important to distinguish between
50

d.Providing a Platform for the Sale of Goods
50

Courts have generally held that one does not becom
50

Example:
50

A consumer bought cell-phone batteries from a manu
50

e.Merchant as Including Sellers or Buyers
51

There is a tendency to think of merchants as being
51

f.Farmers as Merchants, or Not
51

Some courts have refused to find that farmers sell
51

how long the farmer has been selling the product t
51

the farmer’s demonstrated business acumen in deali
51

the farmer’s knowledge of the farm markets,
51

the farmer’s experience or knowledge of the releva
51

[2 Anderson U.C.C. § 2-104:68 (3d. ed.), Westlaw (
51

6.Between Merchants
51

The term between merchants refers to any transacti
51

7.Future Goods
51

Goods must both exist and be identified before any
52

Example:
52

A printer contracted with a publisher to print two
52

8.Lot
52

Article 2 defines a lot as “a parcel or a single a
52

9.Commercial Unit
52

Initially, the terms lot and commercial unit seem
52

a.Price and Commercial Units
52

In deciding just what constitutes a commercial uni
53

b.Market Practices and Commercial Units
53

If items are normally packaged and sold or used as
53

c.Examples of Items Deemed to Be Commercial Units
53

Examples of items deemed to be commercial units in
53

a pound of goods, when the parties priced the good
53

a truckload of potatoes, when potatoes were custom
53

a truck consisting of a cab, body, and chassis;
53

a carton of chickens; and
53

each cattle, in a contract for the sale of multipl
53

[See 2 Anderson U.C.C. § 2-105:18 (3d. ed.), Westl
53

10. Goods and Conduct Conforming to the Contract
53

Goods conform to the contract if they accord with
53

11.Termination
53

In Article 2, termination occurs if one party ends
53

12. Cancellation
54

Though conceptually similar to termination, the te
54

C.A Brief Introduction to International Sales of Goo
54

In 1988, the United States ratified a treaty calle
54

D.Scope of Article 2A on Leases of Goods
54

For a long time, the law governing leases of goods
54

1.Applicability of Article 2A to True Leases
55

UCC Article 2A applies to “any transaction, regard
55

2.Distinguishing between True Leases and Disguised S
55

The UCC articulates rules to distinguish between a
55

the lease’s original term equals or exceeds the go
55

the lessee is bound to either renew the lease for
55

the lessee may, for no or nominal additional consi
55

the lessee may, for no or nominal additional consi
55

[U.C.C. § 1-203(b) (2001).]
55

II.Contract Formation and Modification under Article
55

In virtually any breach-of-contract case, includin
55

A.The Basics of Offer, Acceptance, and Consideration
56

There are three essential ingredients to contract
56

Note: This outline covers the basics of offer, acc
56

1.Reasonably Certain Offer
56

Generally, an offer is reasonably certain if a rea
56

2.Termination of an Offer
56

Once an offer terminates, so too does the offeree’
56

rejection or counteroffer,
56

lapse of time,
56

revocation,
56

death or incapacity, or
56

destruction of the contract’s subject matter.
56

[Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 36.]
56

a.Rejection or Counteroffer
57

Normally, an offer terminates if the offeree rejec
57

b.Lapse of Time
57

An offer terminates by lapse if the offeree does n
57

c.Revocation
57

With very few exceptions, the offeror may revoke t
57

i.Options
57

An option is a distinct contract unto itself. In a
57

ii.A Merchant’s Firm Offer under UCC Article 2
57

UCC Article 2 introduced the doctrine of a merchan
57

d.Death or Incapacity
58

Normally, an offer terminates immediately once the
58

e.Destruction of the Subject Matter
58

An offer immediately terminates when its subject m
58

3.Acceptance
58

Generally, an acceptance is the offeree’s uncondit
58

4.Consideration
58

The third and final ingredient to contract formati
58

B.The Battle of the Forms
58

As mentioned, at common law, an acceptance must pr
58

1.Scenario in Which § 2-207 Often Applies
59

Section 2-207 generally applies if the parties beh
59

2.Significance of a Definite and Seasonable Expressi
59

Under § 2-207, the general rule is that if the off
59

3.Rule if Acceptance Is Expressly Conditioned on Ass
59

If the offeree expressly conditions acceptance on
59

4.Result if the Parties’ Writings Do Not Form a Cont
60

Even if the parties’ writings do not form a contra
60

Example:
60

An automobile manufacturer ordered several engines
60

5.Whether Additional Terms Become Part of the Final
60

An additional term is one that supplements, or add
60

a.Rules for Additional Terms in a Transaction betwee
61

Between merchants, additional terms in the accepta
61

the offer expressly limits acceptance to the offer
61

the additional terms materially alter the offer, o
61

notification of objection to the additional terms
61

[U.C.C. § 2-207(2) (1951).]
61

b.Whether Additional Terms Materially Alter the Offe
61

In general, an additional term materially alters t
61

i.Examples of Alterations Often Found to Be Material
61

Some types of alterations are commonly (though not
61

a requirement to arbitrate any disputes,
61

a forum-selection clause providing that any lawsui
61

a choice-of-law clause providing that one state’s
61

an indemnification requirement,
61

a clause limiting liability,
61

a disclaimer of any warranty,
61

a term limiting the duration of any warranty,
61

a requirement that one party pay attorney’s fees a
61

a provision giving one party power to change the d
62

a term substituting goods,
62

a term substantially increasing the price or chang
62

most any term relating to performance, and
62

a term reallocating the risk of loss.
62

[See 2 Anderson U.C.C. §§ 2-207:74-2-207:91 (3d. e
62

c.Rule if One Party Is Not a Merchant
62

If the parties’ writings form a contract, and one
62

6.Whether Different Terms (as Opposed to Additional
62

As mentioned, the UCC does not specify the treatme
62

a.Treating Different Terms the Same as Additional Te
62

Some courts treat different terms in the same mann
62

b.Applying the Knock-Out Rule
62

Some courts apply the so-called knock-out rule to
62

c.Treating Acceptance with Contradictory Terms as a
63

If a purported acceptance contains terms that flat
63

7.Pinpointing the Offer: Additional Terms Shipped al
63

Sometimes, a consumer orders a product by phone or
63

Note: Even if one views the purchaser’s order as t
63

C.The Statute of Frauds
63

UCC Article 2 has its own statute of frauds. Gener
63

1.Writing Satisfying Statute of Frauds
64

To satisfy the statute of frauds, a writing need o
64

a handwritten, signed contract;
64

a signed offer accepted in writing;
64

a signed purchase invoice or bill of sale;
64

a writing scrawled in crayon on paper;
64

a letter confirming an oral contract and stating,
64

an email.
64

[U.C.C. § 2-207, cmt. 1 (1951); 2 Anderson U.C.C.
64

Example:
64

A car dealer and a buyer orally agreed that the de
64

a.Signature Requirement for the Statute of Frauds
65

To suffice under the statute of frauds, a writing
65

b.Separate, Integrated Writings as Satisfying the St
65

A writing, for statute-of-frauds purposes, may con
65

Example:
65

A builder and manufacturer, through their agents,
65

2.Requirement of a Quantity Term
66

To satisfy the statute of frauds, a writing must s
66

3.Computing Price in Transactions Involving Multiple
66

Controversies may arise if the case involves multi
66

4.Effect of Noncompliance with Statute of Frauds
66

If a contract subject to the statute of frauds fai
66

5.Contract Modification and the Statute of Frauds
66

Article 2 permits parties to modify a contract for
66

6.Significance of Omitted Material Terms
66

A contract may be enforceable under the statute of
66

7.Dispute over Contractual Terms Distinguished
67

The statute of frauds is simply inapplicable if th
67

8.Written Confirmation in a Contract between Merchan
67

Special rules apply to contracts between merchants
67

9.Exception for Specially Manufactured Goods
67

Even if a valid contract subject to the statute of
67

a.Manufacturing the Goods
67

For purposes of the exception for specially manufa
67

b.Whether Goods Are Specially Manufactured
68

The term specially manufactured generally means th
68

Note: Of course, the seller need not directly manu
68

c.Goods Not Resellable in the Ordinary Course of the
68

To say that goods are not resellable, to a party o
68

Examples:
68

(1) A manufacturer’s business was to produce and s
68

(2) A manufacturer of high-end clothing orally agr
69

d.Whether the Seller Has Made a Substantial Beginnin
69

Ordinarily, the seller has substantially begun to
69

Example:
69

A jewelry manufacturer orally contracted with a pr
69

10.
69

11.Exception for Judicial Admissions
70

If a valid contract is subject to the statute of f
70

a.What Constitutes a Judicial Admission
70

For there to be a judicial admission, it suffices,
70

b.Voluntariness of Admission
70

For a judicial admission to bring an oral contract
70

c.Unconditional and Unqualified Admission
70

For a judicial admission to remove an entire oral
70

d.Nonjudicial Admissions
71

The UCC is silent on whether nonjudicial admission
71

12.Exception for Part Performance
71

A valid contract subject to the statute of frauds
71

D.The Parol-Evidence Rule
71

UCC Article 2 sets forth its own version of the pa
71

1.General Treatment of Integrated Terms
71

Under § 2-202, integrated terms cannot be contradi
71

2.Relevance of Ambiguity to Article 2’s Parol-Eviden
71

Of course, a term is ambiguous if it is susceptibl
71

In Article 2, evidence of course of performance,
72

Note: Some courts permit extrinsic evidence to int
72

3.Significance of a Fully Integrated Agreement
72

In applying the parol-evidence rule, it is crucial
72

a.Determining Whether an Agreement Is Fully Integrat
72

The parol-evidence rule does not preclude extrinsi
72

b.Merger Clause as a Factor in Determining Whether a
73

The presence of a merger (or integration) clause i
73

i.Effect if Merger Clause Is Separately Entered in t
73

A merger clause tends to carry more weight if sepa
73

Example:
73

A car dealer entered a written contract with a dis
73

4.Requirement of a Writing for the Parol-Evidence Ru
73

The parol-evidence rule applies only if there is s
73

5.Other Things the Parol-Evidence Rule Does Not Bar
74

The parol-evidence rule does not bar extrinsic evi
74

interpret an ambiguous term, regardless of whether
74

determine whether the agreement is fully or partia
74

determine whether there is a valid, enforceable co
74

show the transaction’s true nature, for instance,
74

show a subsequent modification to the agreement;
74

establish or disprove a defense to enforcement of
74

prove fraud affecting the contract;
74

prove a mistake in the contract and seek reformati
74

prove that the contract does not reflect the parti
74

[See U.C.C. § 2-202 (1951); Hessler v. Crystal Lak
74

6.Consistent Additional Terms
74

Consistent additional terms are terms that do not
74

Example:
74

On April 20, a buyer entered a written agreement w
74

Compare:
75

A winery entered a written agreement with a distri
75

7.Collateral Undertakings
75

Article 2’s parol-evidence rule does not bar extri
75

Example:
75

A developer entered two separate agreements with a
75

E.Modification, Rescission, and Waiver
76

As mentioned, at common law, any modification to a
76

1.Distinguishing Modification, Rescission, and Waive
76

It is important to distinguish among the distinct
76

Note: Article 2 itself contains very few rules reg
76

2.Retraction of a Waiver
76

If a party makes a waiver affecting a material, un
76

3.Contract Modification under Article 2 Generally
77

A modification to a contract falling within Articl
77

a.Good-Faith Requirement for Contract Modification
77

Though a contract modification under Article 2 req
77

Note: If a party obtains a contract modification b
77

Example:
77

A developer contracted with a lumberjack to purcha
77

Compare:
78

A developer contracted with a steel plant to purch
78

b.Form of Modification
78

Generally, Article 2 prescribes no particular form
78

i.Modification Falling within the Statute of Frauds
78

If the contract as modified falls within the statu
78

ii.Signed Agreement Requiring Any Modification or Res
79

Under Article 2, the parties may, in a signed agre
79

F.Delegation and Assignment
79

As at common law, under Article 2, the parties may
79

1.Delegation
79

Under Article 2, a party may generally perform her
79

a.Prohibition on Delegation if the Counterparty Has
79

The nondelegating counterparty has a substantial i
79

Example:
80

A painter was renowned the world over for her skil
80

Compare:
80

A clothier contracted to buy specified quantities
80

b.Delegating a Duty to Pay the Purchase Price
80

Oftentimes, the seller may have an interest in the
80

c.Prohibition on Delegation if It Would Contravene S
80

A party cannot delegate her contractual duties if
80

2.Assignment
81

Unless otherwise agreed (and except as provided in
81

change the other party’s duty,
81

increase the other party’s burden or risk stemming
81

impair the other party’s chance to obtain return p
81

[U.C.C. § 2-210(2) (1951); 2A Anderson U.C.C. §§ 2
81

a.Consideration and Assignment
81

A buyer or seller may generally assign its contrac
81

b.Material Increase in Burden on Counterparty
81

As mentioned, a buyer’s or seller’s rights general
81

i.Determining Whether Counterparty’s Burden Is Mater
81

Ordinarily, if the assignee merely exercises its a
81

Example:
82

An oil company entered a contract with a dealer, u
82

ii.Assigning Right to Receive Payment
82

A mere assignment of a right to receive payment wi
82

iii.Sale on Credit
82

A buyer on credit may have a difficult time validl
82

iv.Security Interest in the Seller’s Contractual Inte
82

As a general rule, the creation, attachment, perfe
82

c.Validity of Contractual Prohibitions on Assignment
83

As a general rule, Article 2 honors contractual pr
83

i.Relevance of § 9-406
83

Under Article 9 of the UCC, in a secured transacti
83

ii.Assignment of a Right to Damages for Breach of the
83

A party may have (1) a right to damages for breach
83

d.Construction of Contractual Prohibitions on Assign
83

Unless the circumstances indicate otherwise, any p
83

e.Construction of Assignment Language: Assignment as
83

A party may draft an assignment with language purp
83

i.Assignment for Security
83

A general assignment, such as an assignment of “th
84

ii.Assignment with Delegation as Reasonable Grounds f
84

If an assignment of rights also operates as a dele
84

f.Effect of Assignment on Assignor
84

As with delegation, a mere assignment does not abs
84

g.Effect of Assignment on Assignee
84

As to any rights assigned, the assignee steps into
84

III.Interpreting the Contract
84

Contract interpretation lies at the heart of many
84

A.Parties’ General Obligations
84

Broadly speaking, the seller’s obligation is to tr
85

1.Seller’s Obligation Generally
85

The seller’s basic obligation is to deliver goods
85

2.Seller’s Obligation to Apply Payments as the Buyer
85

Absent contrary agreement, the seller must general
85

3.Irrelevance of Buyer’s Inability to Pay or Insolve
85

Generally, the buyer’s inability to pay has no bea
85

B.Unconscionability
85

Article 2 affords a mechanism for courts to declin
85

enforcement would produce unjust results. Without
86

Note: Most of the time, unconscionability is an is
86

1.Unconscionability v. a Simple Bad Bargain
86

The unconscionability defense does not apply just
86

a.Contract of Adhesion
86

A contract of adhesion is a standard, form contrac
86

b.Boilerplate Terms
87

Conceptually, boilerplate terms are quite similar
87

2.Unconscionability as Dependent on Context
87

The unconscionability defense depends very much on
87

3.Basic Test for Unconscionability
87

The essential question in unconscionability cases
87

a.Relationship between Unconscionability and Other C
87

Unconscionability is a distinct contract defense f
87

b.Procedural Unconscionability
88

Procedural unconscionability speaks to the fundame
88

i.Factors Considered in Evaluating Procedural Uncons
88

Courts consider various factors in evaluating proc
88

the phrasing, clarity, and placement of the assert
88

whether the terms were available to the party asse
88

the parties’ relative sophistication;
88

whether one would reasonably expect the challenged
88

the parties’ relative bargaining power and ability
88

whether the party asserting unconscionability had
88

[2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-302:3, Westlaw (databas
88

ii.Facts Tending to Show Procedural Unconscionability
88

Common facts tending to show procedural unconscion
88

Note: Many parties, especially consumers, ordinari
88

Example:
89

A municipal worker inquired about purchasing some
89

iii.Role of Contracts of Adhesion in Finding Procedura
89

The mere fact that the contract is one of adhesion
89

Example:
89

A consumer contracted to buy a car from an auto de
89

c.Substantive Unconscionability
90

Substantive unconscionability generally means that
90

i.Terms Often Found Substantively Unconscionable
90

Examples of terms commonly (but not always) found
90

ii.Price and Unconscionability
90

Courts will virtually never find substantive uncon
90

Examples:
91

(1) A municipal worker inquired about purchasing s
91

(2) A consumer purchased a car from a dealer. The
91

4.Time to Determine Unconscionability
91

As mentioned, the court must generally determine w
91

5.Process to Find Unconscionability
91

If a party claims unconscionability, or if it appe
91

C.Identifying Goods to the Contract
92

Identification occurs once specific goods are asso
92

1.Contracts for the Sale of Existing and Identified
92

If the contract is for the sale of goods that alre
92

2.Contracts for the Sale of Most Types of Future Goo
92

If the contract is for the sale of nearly any type
92

a.Certain Contracts for the Sale of Crops
92

Special rules apply to contracts for the sale of c
92

b.Certain Contracts for the Sale of the Unborn Young
92

Special rules apply to contracts for the sale of t
92

3.Conformity to Contract as Irrelevant to Identifica
93

Goods can be identified to a contract regardless o
93

4.Rules in § 2-501 as Mere Default Rules Subject to
93

The rules in § 2-501, like many provisions of Arti
93

5.Seller’s Limited Right to Substitute Identified Go
93

Special rules apply if the seller alone identifies
93

D.Gap Fillers
93

Article 2 contains a great many provisions colloqu
93

1.Open Price Term
93

Parties can form a contract for the sale of goods
93

the contract says nothing as to price;
93

the contract leaves the parties to agree on a pric
93

the contract fixes the price with reference to som
93

[U.C.C. § 2-305(1) (1951).]
93

a.Intent to Form a Contract Even Though Price Is Lef
94

For § 2-305 to apply, the parties must intend to f
94

i.Rule if Parties Intend Not to Be Bound Unless Pric
94

Again, if the parties intend that there be no cont
94

b.Price for One Party to Fix
94

The contract may leave either party to fix the pri
94

c.Special Rule for Price to Be Fixed Other Than by A
94

Special rules apply if (1) the contract calls for
94

d.Fixing a Reasonable Price
95

Article 2 offers no elaboration on what constitute
95

2.Output, Requirements, and Exclusive Dealings
95

Oftentimes, the contractual quantity is measured b
95

a.Requirements Contracts Generally
95

In a requirements contract, the buyer promises to
95

b.Output Contracts Generally
95

In a typical output contract, the buyer agrees to
95

c.Determining Quantity in Requirements and Output Co
96

A promise to buy all requirements or all output fr
96

i.Good Faith in Requirements and Output Contracts
96

In requirements and output contracts, the general
96

Note: Courts seem especially inclined to find bad
96

Example:
96

An oil company contracted to supply an electric co
96

ii.Whether Requirements or Output Is Unreasonably Dis
97

If there is a stated estimate, or if there are nor
97

the difference between the requirements or output
97

whether there was reason to anticipate or foresee
97

any difference between the market price and the co
97

whether any change in market price was fortuitous,
97

the reason for the departure from the estimate or
97

[U.C.C. § 2-306(1) (1951); Orange & Rockland Utili
97

Note: It is important to distinguish an estimated
97

Example:
97

An oil company contracted to supply an electric co
97

d.Exclusive Dealings
98

The parties may enter a lawful agreement for exclu
98

Example:
98

A natural-gas producer contracted with a pipeline
98

3.Delivery in Lots
98

Unless otherwise agreed, the seller must tender al
98

a.Buyer’s Rights if Delivery in a Single Lot Is Requ
98

If delivery in a single lot is required, but the s
98

b.When the Circumstances Give a Party the Right to M
99

Generally, either party will have the right to mak
99

4.Determining the Place for Delivery
99

The parties may, by agreement, specify a place for
99

a.Special Rule for Certain Contracts for the Sale of
99

Special rules apply to a contract for the sale of
99

b.Special Rule for Documents of Title
99

Absent contrary agreement, “documents of title may
99

c.Special Rules if Seller Is to Ship the Goods
100

The rules in § 2-504 apply if the seller is requir
100

5.Absence of Specific Time Provisions
100

In most cases, either Article 2 or the agreement w
100

a.Determining What Is a Reasonable Time
100

Just what is a reasonable time to take some action
100

Example:
100

In December of year one, an industrial firm contra
100

b.Contract of Indefinite Duration Calling for Succes
101

A contract may call for successive performances (e
101

6.Notice of Termination
101

Special rules apply if one party terminates the co
101

Example:
101

A manufacturer of faucets and related products con
101

7.Open Time for Payment and Shipping under Reservati
102

Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due at the tim
102

a.Seller’s Right to Ship the Goods under Reservation
102

Unless otherwise agreed, if authorized to send the
102

b.Rule if Delivery Is through Documents of Title
102

Unless otherwise agreed, if delivery is authorized
102

c.Rule if Seller Is Required or Authorized to Ship t
102

Unless otherwise agreed, if the seller is required
102

8.Options and Cooperation Regarding Performance
103

If an agreement for the sale of goods is otherwise
103

Example:
103

An onion farmer contracted to sell onions to a dis
103

a.Buyer’s Rights as to the Assortment of Goods and t
103

Unless otherwise agreed, the buyer may make specif
103

b.Special Rules Regarding Unseasonable Delay in Maki
103

The UCC affords special remedies if (1) one party
104

that materially affects the other party’s performa
104

Example:
104

An inventor contracted to build, for a manufacture
104

E.Risk of Loss without a Breach of Contract under §
104

Section 2-509 sets forth the rules to determine ri
104

Note: The rules in § 2-509 go hand in hand with th
104

1.Risk of Loss under § 2-509 Generally
104

Section 2-509 sets forth the general rules governi
104

2.Rules if Seller Is Authorized or Required to Ship
105

If the contract requires or authorizes the seller
105

a.Risk of Loss in a Shipment Contract
105

In a shipment contract, the risk of loss passes to
105

i.Whether Goods Are Properly Delivered to a Carrier
105

Section 2-504 controls whether goods are properly
105

put the goods in a carrier’s possession,
105

make a reasonable contract for the goods’ transpor
105

obtain and properly deliver or tender in the prope
105

promptly notify the buyer that the shipment has oc
105

[U.S.C. § 2-504, cmt. 3 (1951).]
105

Note: Unless otherwise agreed, if the seller fails
105

ii.Rule if Goods Are Identified to the Contract While
106

In a shipment contract, and unless otherwise agree
106

b.Risk of Loss in a Destination Contract
106

In a destination contract, the risk of loss passes
106

c.Shipping Contract v. Destination Contract
106

If the contract requires or authorizes the seller
106

3.Rule if a Bailee Holds the Goods for Delivery with
106

Special rules apply if the goods are held by a bai
106

when the buyer receives a negotiable document of t
106

when the bailee acknowledges the buyer’s right to
107

after the buyer receives a nonnegotiable document
107

[U.C.C. §§ 2-503(4)(b), 2-509(2) (1951); 2 Hawklan
107

4.Rule in Cases Not Involving Shipment Contracts, De
107

In cases that do not involve shipment contracts, d
107

5.Risk of Loss in a Sale on Approval
107

Unless otherwise agreed, in a sale on approval: (1
107

Note: Ordinary retail sales to consumers, such as
107

Example:
107

A farmer contracted to buy a tractor from a dealer
107

possess and use the tractor before paying. Should
108

F.Effect of Breach on Risk of Loss under § 2-510
108

If either the buyer or the seller has breached the
108

1.Risk of Loss if Seller’s Tender or Delivery Does N
108

Generally, the seller breaches the contract by ten
108

2.Risk of Loss if Buyer Rightfully Revokes Acceptanc
108

If the buyer accepts the goods and then rightfully
108

3.Risk of Loss if Buyer Breaches the Contract
108

A special risk-of-loss allocation applies if (1) t
108

G.Course of Performance, Course of Dealing, and Usag
109

Apart from the agreement’s express language, perha
109

1.Course of Performance and Course of Dealing
109

Course of performance references the parties’ sequ
109

a.Sequence of Conduct
109

A course of performance is a sequence of conduct p
109

b.Common Basis for Understanding
109

A course of dealing requires a prior sequence of c
109

Examples:
110

(1) A developer contracted with a brickmaker to pu
110

(2) A developer contracted with a brickmaker to pu
110

Compare:
110

A developer contracted with a brickmaker to purcha
110

c.Relevance of Course of Performance and Course of D
110

A course of performance or course of dealing betwe
111

2.Usage of Trade
111

In a loose, general sense, a usage of trade is an
111

a.Regularity of Observance
111

The requirement for regularity of observance does
111

b.Policing Unconscionable and Dishonest Practices
111

Implicit in the UCC’s rules on trade usages is the
111

c.Relevance of Usage of Trade in Interpreting a Cont
111

Usage of trade is relevant to contractual interpre
111

Note: If part of the contractual performance is to
112

Example:
112

A buyer contracted to purchase a specified quantit
112

d.Notice Requirement for Usage of Trade
112

If one party offers evidence of a relevant usage o
112

e.Well-Established Usage Varying from UCC without a
112

Sometimes, there will be a well-established usage
112

3.Hierarchy of Interpretation: Express Terms, Course
113

As a general rule, the agreement’s express terms a
113

express terms control course of performance, cours
113

course of performance controls course of dealing a
113

course of dealing controls usage of trade.
113

[U.C.C. § 1-303(e) (2001); but see Special Rule Re
113

a.Special Rule Regarding Course of Performance
113

Subject to the rules in § 2-209 (dealing with modi
113

IV.Creditors and Good-Faith Purchasers
113

Article 2 rightly focuses much of its text on the
113

A.Passing of Title and Reservation of Security
113

One of Article 2’s prime policy goals was to deemp
113

1.General Rule That Goods Must Be Identified for Tit
114

Under any contract for the sale of goods, title to
114

2.Seller’s Retention or Reservation of Title in Good
114

The seller may purport to retain or reserve title
114

3.Default Rules on Passage of Title
114

Subject to UCC Article 9, which governs security i
114

a.Passage of Title if Goods Are to Be Moved to Effec
114

Unless otherwise agreed explicitly, if the goods a
114

i.Relevance of Buyer’s Failure to Pay, Conformity, a
115

Generally, the buyer’s failure to pay has no beari
115

ii.Passage of Title in a Shipment Contract
115

In a shipment contract, title generally passes to
115

iii.Passage of Title in a Destination Contract
115

In a destination contract, title generally passes
115

b.Passage of Title if Goods Are to Be Delivered with
115

Section 2-401 articulates specific rules that appl
115

i.Delivery of Documents Generally
115

Broadly speaking, a physical document is delivered
115

c.Status of Title if the Buyer Rejects the Goods or
115

Even if title has passed under the rules discussed
115

buyer either (1) with or without justification, re
116

B.Seller’s Creditors’ Rights as to Sold Goods
116

Section 2-402 is the main provision in Article 2 a
116

1.Background to § 2-402
116

In understanding the operation of § 2-402, it may
116

2.Creditors to Whom § 2-402 Applies
116

UCC Article 9 articulates the rights of a secured
116

3.Circumstances in Which a Seller’s Creditors May Tr
117

Per § 2-402(2), a creditor of the seller may treat
117

a.Whether a Transfer Is Fraudulent as to a Creditor
117

In some ways, the rule in § 2-402(2) is seen as co
117

b.Commercially Reasonable Time for the Seller to Ret
117

Just what is a commercially reasonable time for th
117

Example:
117

A manufacturer of oil-field pump jacks contracted
117

4.Section 2-402, Fraudulent Transfers, and Voidable
118

The buyer’s rights under §§ 2-502 and 2-716 are no
118

C.Special Protections for Good-Faith Purchasers and
118

Generally, if one purchases goods, she acquires al
118

1.Power to Transfer if One Has Voidable Title to Goo
118

Per § 2-403, one with voidable title to goods has
118

the transferor was deceived as to the purchaser’s
118

the delivery was made in exchange for a check, and
118

the transaction was agreed to be a cash sale; or
118

the delivery came about through fraud, and under t
118

[U.C.C. § 2-403(1) (1951).]
118

a.Voidable Title v. Void Title v. Good Title
118

Title is voidable if it remains valid unless and u
118

it aside. Title is void, by contrast, if the law t
119

i.Deceit as to the Purchaser’s Identity
119

Generally, a purchaser acquires voidable title if
119

Example:
119

An impostor, falsely representing himself to be a
119

ii.Payment by Dishonored Check
119

Generally, if someone pays for goods by check, and
119

iii.Cash Sale
119

In a cash sale, the transferor intends that the pu
119

until the purchaser pays for the goods in cash. Ev
120

iv.Goods Procured through Criminal Fraud
120

If one obtains goods through criminal fraud, as op
120

Example:
120

An impostor, falsely representing himself to be a
120

b.Transaction of Purchase
120

In the UCC, the term purchase refers to “taking by
120

Example:
121

The owner of an antique convertible had the conver
121

c.Purchaser for Value
121

The UCC spells out several specific instances in w
121

in exchange for a binding commitment to extend cre
121

as security for a preexisting claim;
121

in total or partial satisfaction of a preexisting
121

by accepting delivery under a prior purchase contr
121

for any consideration that suffices to support a s
121

[U.C.C. § 1-204 (1951).]
121

Note: From the preceding definition of value, it b
121

d.Good-Faith Purchaser
121

In determining whether one is a good-faith purchas
121

e.The Shelter Rule and Good-Faith Purchasers for Val
122

As mentioned, a purchaser generally takes whatever
122

D.Entrusting
122

A person may entrust possession of goods to a merc
122

1.Entrusting Defined
122

Entrusting embraces not only delivering goods, but
122

Note: Even though a merchant lacks direct possessi
122

2.Entrusting: Common Fact Patterns
122

Typically, entrusting arises in one of four fact p
122

the goods’ owner delivers them to a dealer to rese
122

a wholesaler delivers goods into a dealer’s invent
123

the goods’ owner leaves them with a merchant for r
123

a buyer purchases goods from a seller but nonethel
123

[Lakes Gas Co. v. Clark Oil Trading Co., 875 F.Sup
123

Examples:
123

(1) A home-improvement store purchased around 4,10
123

(2) A married couple purchased a truck from a deal
123

3.Buyer in the Ordinary Course of Business
123

The UCC’s definition of buyer in the ordinary cour
123

Note: The term buyer in the ordinary course is not
123

a.Exclusion of One Acquiring Goods in a Bulk Transfe
124

A person cannot be a buyer in the ordinary course
124

Example:
124

A wealthy socialite owned a rare and valuable blue
124

i.Bulk Sale
124

A bulk sale, as defined in Article 6 (which most s
124

b.Requirement of Possession or Having the Right to R
124

To be a buyer in the ordinary course of business,
124

c.Special Rule for One Selling Oil, Gas, or Other Mi
124

Oftentimes, one will sell oil, gas, or other miner
125

d.Buying Goods in the Ordinary Course
125

One buys goods in the ordinary course if the sale
125

Example:
125

A wealthy socialite owned a valuable painting, whi
125

e.Buying in Good Faith
125

In determining whether one buys goods in good fait
125

Example:
125

A car dealer sold a car to his close friend at cos
125

f.Manner in Which a Buyer in the Ordinary Course of
126

A buyer in the ordinary course may buy the goods f
126

g.The Shelter Rule and Buyers in the Ordinary Course
126

If a buyer in the ordinary course acquires an entr
126

V.Performance
126

This outline has already discussed many provisions
126

A.The Perfect-Tender Rule
126

In general, for the seller to avoid liability for
126

1.The Perfect-Tender Rule v. Material Breach and Sub
127

Most law students will be familiar with the doctri
127

Example:
127

A contractor agreed to build a house for an invest
127

2.Buyer’s Remedies for Imperfect Tender
127

If the tender of delivery or the goods themselves
127

reject the entire delivery,
127

accept the entire delivery, or
127

accept any commercial units within the delivery an
127

[U.C.C. § 2-601 (1951); Acceptance and Rejection o
127

a.Buyer’s Partial Acceptance as Not Limited to Confo
127

If the seller violates the perfect-tender rule, th
128

b.Buyer’s Acceptance as Not Limiting General Remedie
128

If the buyer accepts any goods despite imperfect t
128

3.Limitations on Buyer’s Remedies for Imperfect Tend
128

There are limits and qualifications to a buyer’s r
128

B.Cure
128

Generally, the seller’s right to cure under § 2-50
128

Note: Most of the rules on the seller’s right to c
128

1.Seller’s Right to Cure as a Limitation on Buyer’s
129

If the seller seasonably notifies the buyer of the
129

2.Right to Cure as Belonging to Seller, Not to Buyer
129

Cure is the seller’s privilege, not the buyer’s en
129

3.Rejection Requirement for Seller to Cure
129

As mentioned, for the seller to have any right to
129

4.Seasonably Notifying the Buyer
129

The seller seasonably notifies the buyer of the in
129

5.Manner of Cure
129

The ideal method of cure is to provide conforming,
129

Examples:
130

(1) A married couple contracted to buy a recreatio
130

(2) A cattle broker contracted to deliver to a cat
130

6.Giving the Seller a Further Reasonable Time beyond
130

Sometimes, the buyer will reject a nonconforming t
130

a.Whether Seller Has Reasonable Grounds to Believe G
130

Of course, whether the seller has reasonable groun
130

Note: If time is of the essence under the contract
131

Example:
131

An oil company contracted to deliver a stated quan
131

C.Installment Contracts
131

The perfect-tender rule, discussed above, generall
131

1.Installment Contract Defined
132

An installment contract “requires or authorizes th
132

Examples:
132

(1) A contract called for a coal mine to deliver 1
132

(2) Over time, a coal-powered electric plant enter
132

Compare:
132

A contract called for a coal mine to deliver 1.2 m
132

2.Rejecting a Nonconforming Installment
132

In an installment contract, the buyer may reject a
132

a.Nonconformity of Goods in an Installment: Substant
133

In the context of installment contracts, as mentio
133

Example:
133

A pipe distributor contracted to deliver one milli
133

Compare:
133

A farmer contracted to deliver 16,000 potatoes to
133

i.Parties’ Agreement on What Constitutes a Substanti
134

In an installment contract, the parties may agree
134

b.Nonconformity in Required Documents
134

Even in an installment contract, the perfect-tende
134

c.Curing a Nonconformity in the Goods in an Installm
134

Whether a nonconformity in the goods is curable is
134

d.Adequate Assurance of Cure
134

Whether the seller provides adequate assurance of
134

3.Cancelling an Installment Contract Altogether
135

There is a breach of the entire installment contra
135

accepts a nonconforming installment, having not se
135

sues on the contract, but only concerning past ins
135

demands performance on future installments.
135

[U.C.C. § 2-612 (1951); 2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-
135

Note: These rules govern not only the buyer’s righ
135

a.Substantially Impairing the Value of the Whole Con
135

Whether any nonconformities substantially impair t
135

Example:
135

A furniture manufacturer contracted to deliver nin
135

D.Buyer’s Right to Inspect the Goods
136

Unless otherwise agreed, the buyer has a right to
136

1.Inspection Defined
136

Inspection means that the buyer examines the goods
136

2.Who Bears Expenses of Inspection
136

Absent contrary agreement, the buyer normally bear
136

3.Effect of Seller’s Interference with Buyer’s Right
136

If the buyer has a right to inspect the goods, and
136

4.Inspection and Risk of Loss
136

The rules on the buyer’s right to inspect the good
136

5.Circumstances in Which Buyer Is Not Entitled to In
137

Unless otherwise agreed, and subject to § 2-321(3)
137

6.Place or Method of Inspection That the Parties Hav
137

If the parties fix a place or method of inspection
137

E.Acceptance and Rejection of Goods
137

Whether and when the buyer accepts or rejects good
137

1.How the Buyer Accepts the Goods
137

Article 2 sets forth specific rules to determine p
137

a.Signifying Acceptance to the Seller
137

The buyer accepts the goods if, having had a reaso
137

Examples:
138

(1) A distributor of bearings contracted to buy a
138

(2) A buyer contracted to buy timber from a seller
138

Compare:
138

A church ordered a shipment of choir robes from a
138

b.Failure to Make an Effective Rejection
139

The buyer accepts the goods if, after a reasonable
139

Example:
139

A wealthy socialite contracted to buy a yacht from
139

c.Act Inconsistent with the Seller’s Ownership
139

The buyer accepts the goods by undertaking any act
139

Example:
139

A restaurant owner contracted to buy tables from a
139

i.Resale, Use, and Possession as Inconsistent with t
140

In general, courts seem to hold that reselling the
140

ii.Acts Required or Authorized by Article 2 as Not In
140

In connection with a rejection of goods, or else t
140

2.Effects of Acceptance
140

Section 2-607 lists a few of the effects of the bu
140

a.Acceptance as Triggering the Buyer’s Obligation to
140

The buyer must pay the contract rate for any goods
140

Example:
141

A retailer contracted to buy 20 cases of Christmas
141

b.Acceptance as Precluding Rejection of Goods Accept
141

Once the buyer accepts any goods, the buyer can no
141

Example:
141

An industrialist contracted with a manufacturer to
141

i.Acceptance and Installment Contracts
141

In an installment contract, acceptance of one inst
141

c.Buyer’s Burden to Establish Breach as to Any Goods
142

As to any goods accepted, the buyer bears the burd
142

d.Notice of Breach to Preserve Remedy
142

If the buyer has accepted a tender of goods, then
142

i.Reasonable Time to Notify Seller of Breach
142

There are no bright-line rules on whether the buye
142

Note: Some courts have excused a buyer’s failure t
142

Example:
142

In September of year one, a card collector contrac
142

Compare:
143

A manufacturer produced and sold airplane cables c
143

ii.Agreed Time for Notice
143

The parties may agree upon a time frame for the bu
143

iii.Manner of Notifying Seller
143

Under the UCC, one generally notifies or gives not
143

iv.Content of Notice of Breach
143

The notice of breach should particularize the alle
143

3.Manner of Rejection
144

To be effective, any rejection must occur within a
144

a.Reasonable Time for Rejection
144

At a minimum, a reasonable time for rejection must
144

b.Seasonably Notifying the Seller of a Rejection
144

To be seasonable, any notification must occur with
144

c.Factors Relevant in Assessing Reasonable Time for
144

In determining whether rejection occurred within a
144

permitting the seller to determine whether the buy
144

enabling the seller to exercise its right to cure,
144

letting the seller attempt to mitigate damages by
144

facilitating the seller’s ability to preserve the
144

[2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-602:1, Westlaw (databas
145

Example:
145

A manufacturer contracted to sell a stated quantit
145

4.Buyer’s Exercise of Ownership as to Rightfully Rej
145

Once the buyer rightfully rejects the goods, it is
145

a.Evaluating Whether Buyer Has Exercised Ownership o
145

In determining whether the buyer has exercised own
145

Example:
145

A farmer purchased a combine from a dealer. After
145

b.Effect of Buyer’s Exercise of Ownership of Rightfu
146

Again, if the buyer exercises ownership over right
146

5.Obligations of Buyer in Physical Possession of Rig
146

A buyer has a special obligation if (1) before rej
146

Example:
146

A faucet manufacturer contracted to buy a stated n
146

Compare:
146

A retailer contracted to buy a shipment of firewor
146

6.Merchant Buyer’s Duties as to Rightfully Rejected
147

Generally, a merchant buyer has special obligation
147

Example:
147

A retailer contracted to buy a shipment of firewor
147

a.Merchant Buyer Selling the Goods for the Seller’s
147

If a merchant buyer rightly sells goods for the se
147

b.Merchant Buyer’s Good-Faith Compliance
147

A merchant buyer, in complying with its abovementi
147

Example:
148

A food distributor contracted to buy a shipment of
148

7.Buyer’s Option to Salvage Rightfully Rejected Good
148

If the buyer (whether a merchant or not) receives
148

8.Buyer’s Waiver of Objections by Failure to Particu
148

Special rules apply if the buyer rejects goods but
148

9.Buyer’s Waiver of Objections to Documents
149

If a buyer agrees to pay against documents but mak
149

cannot recover the payment for any defects that we
149

F.Revoking Acceptance
149

Even if a buyer accepts goods, Article 2 sometimes
149

1.Basic Requirements for Buyer to Revoke Acceptance
149

The buyer may revoke acceptance of a lot or commer
149

a.Whether a Nonconformity Substantially Impairs the
149

The requirement that the nonconformity substantial
149

the buyer’s needs, overall circumstances, and reac
149

the goods’ market value, reliability, and safety;
149

the goods’ utility for the purposes to which simil
150

the cost to repair the nonconformities; and
150

the seller’s willingness to cure the nonconformity
150

[See Allen v. Rouse Toyota Jeep, Inc., 398 S.E.2d
150

Examples:
150

(1) A consumer bought a car from a dealer and acce
150

(2) An industrialist contracted to buy an industri
150

b.Buyer’s Reasonable Assumption of Cure and Lack of
150

A buyer’s reasonable assumption of a cure may, of
150

Example:
151

A developer contracted to buy a portable batch pla
151

distributor. Shortly after the developer took deli
151

c.Acceptance with or without Knowledge of Nonconform
151

For a buyer to revoke acceptance, having accepted
151

Examples:
151

(1) An aviation company contracted to purchase an
151

(2) To satisfy federal standards, a headlight manu
151

Compare:
152

A food distributor contracted to buy organic soybe
152

2.Time Limit to Revoke Acceptance
152

To effectively revoke acceptance, the buyer must d
152

a.Reasonable Time to Revoke Acceptance
152

Precisely what is a reasonable time to revoke acce
152

Example:
153

A food distributor contracted to buy powdered milk
153

Compare:
153

A pasta distributor contracted to buy a packaging
153

b.Revocation before Substantial Change in the Goods
153

For a buyer to revoke acceptance, she must do so b
153

Example:
154

A distributor of vitamin products contracted to bu
154

Compare:
154

A prospector contracted to buy, from a manufacture
154

G.Insurable Interest in Goods
154

Once existing goods are identified to the contract
154

H.Seller’s Tender of Delivery and Shipment of Goods
155

In the broadest sense, tender, from the seller’s p
155

1.Effect of Buyer’s and Seller’s Tender
155

Absent contrary agreement, the buyer’s tender of p
155

a.Conditional Delivery and Reclamation
155

If payment is due on delivery of the goods or docu
155

2.Time of Tender and Safekeeping of Goods
155

The seller must tender delivery at a reasonable ho
155

3.Seller’s Tender Obligations in a Shipment Contract
155

In a shipment contract, the seller must (unless ot
156

4.Seller’s Obligations if Goods Are in a Bailee’s Po
156

Special rules apply if a bailee (such as a warehou
156

a.Tender of Nonnegotiable Document of Title or Writt
156

Notwithstanding the abovementioned rules, absent t
156

5.Tender of Delivery in a Destination Contract
156

In a destination contract, tender occurs once the
156

6.Rules if Contract Requires Seller to Deliver Docum
157

Special rules apply if the contract expressly requ
157

I.Payment by the Buyer
157

The parties may, of course, agree on how the buyer
157

1.Payment by Check
157

Subject to § 3-310 (covered more thoroughly in Qui
157

VI.Breach, Repudiation, and Excuse
158

Obviously, no body of contract law would be comple
158

A.Anticipatory Repudiation
158

The rules on anticipatory repudiation are quite si
158

either party repudiates the contract,
158

the repudiation concerns a performance not yet due
158

the loss of that performance will substantially im
158

[U.C.C. § 2-610 (1951).]
158

1.Repudiation Defined
158

A repudiation is “an overt communication of intent
158

Examples:
158

(1) A buyer contracted to purchase 875 metric tons
158

(2) A grain distributor contracted with a farmer t
159

Compare:
159

A fisherman contracted to buy a boat from a manufa
159

2.Whether Lack of Repudiated Performance Will Substa
159

One element of anticipatory repudiation in Article
159

Note: Substantial impairment is not often an issue
160

Example:
160

A farmer contracted to buy 17 loads of cottonseed
160

3.Nonrepudiating Party’s Remedies for Anticipatory R
160

Upon an anticipatory repudiation, the nonrepudiati
160

await the repudiating party’s performance for a co
160

invoke any remedy for breach, even if the nonrepud
160

in either case, suspend performance or proceed und
160

[U.C.C. § 2-601 (1951); Seller’s Right to Identify
160

a.Awaiting Repudiating Party’s Performance for a Com
160

If one party repudiates the contract, the nonrepud
160

b.Invoking Remedies for Breach upon a Repudiation
160

Upon a repudiation, the nonrepudiating party may g
160

c.Suspending Performance or Cancelling the Contract
161

Regardless of whether the nonrepudiating party ele
161

B.Retracting an Anticipatory Repudiation
161

Within specified constraints, a repudiating party
161

1.Retraction Defined
161

Article 2 does not specify any particular method f
161

Examples:
161

(1) An oil producer entered a long-term petroleum
161

(2) A buyer contracted to purchase natural gas fro
162

2.Time to Retract Repudiation
162

For a retraction to be effective, the repudiating
162

3.Result of Effective Retraction
162

An effective retraction reinstates the repudiating
162

C.Right to Adequate Assurance of Performance
163

In every contract for the sale of goods, each part
163

1.Reasonable Grounds for Insecurity
163

Generally speaking, reasonable grounds for insecur
163

the nature of the contract,
163

the parties’ relationship,
163

information gleaned from apparently trustworthy so
163

the counterparty’s performance on the current cont
163

the counterparty’s performance on other contracts.
163

[U.C.C. § 2-609(2), cmt. 3 (1951); 2 Hawkland UCC
163

a.Reasonable Grounds for Insecurity and the Obligati
163

In deciding whether there are reasonable grounds f
163

b.The Nature of the Contract and Reasonable Grounds
163

The nature of the contract can be a weighty factor
164

c.The Parties’ Relationship and Reasonable Grounds f
164

The parties’ relationship obviously plays a major
164

d.Information from Apparently Trustworthy Sources
164

In determining whether there are reasonable ground
164

Example:
164

A buyer contracted to buy oil from a seller on 30
164

e.Performance on the Current Contract and Other Cont
164

Obviously, a party’s performance on the current co
164

f.Examples of Reasonable Grounds for Insecurity
166

The official comments to § 2-609 and the cases hav
166

one party’s shaky or unreliable credit,
166

one party’s significant breach of other contracts,
166

delegation of contractual duties per § 2-210,
166

one party demanding a kickback,
166

the seller’s failure to deliver quantities for whi
166

market conditions surrounding the current contract
166

one party’s nonresponsiveness to inquiries about p
166

the seller’s loss of a supply source,
166

a party’s request for concessions or accommodation
166

one party’s insolvency.
166

[2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-609:2, Westlaw (databas
166

2.Adequate Assurances of Due Performance
166

Generally, the factors relevant to reasonable grou
166

Note: Between merchants, the adequacy of any assur
166

Example:
166

A buyer contracted to buy oil from a seller on 30
166

a.Good Faith and Adequate Assurance of Due Performan
167

In demanding adequate assurance, not to mention in
167

3.Demand for Assurances without Reasonable Grounds f
167

If a party demands adequate assurance of due perfo
167

4.Content of Demand for Adequate Assurance
167

A proper demand for adequate assurance should clea
167

5.Commercial Reasonableness of Suspending Performanc
167

An insecure party should exercise some thought bef
167

Note: As a general observation, if there are indee
168

6.Acceptance of Improper Delivery or Payment and Ade
168

If a party accepts an improper delivery or payment
168

D.Casualty to Identified Goods
168

Under § 2-613, special rules apply if (1) the cont
168

1.Casualty to Identified Goods Producing Total Loss
168

If the casualty to identified goods produces a tot
168

2.Casualty to Identified Goods Producing Partial Los
168

If the casualty to identified goods produces a mer
168

3.Casualty Defined
169

Casualty means physical damage or destruction to t
169

4.Whether the Contract Requires Identified Goods for
169

To say that the contract requires identified goods
169

Example:
169

A buyer contracted to purchase a 1978 Chevrolet Pa
169

Compare:
169

A farmer contracted to deliver 25,000 tons of grai
169

5.Casualty to Identified Goods without Either Party’
170

In § 2-613, fault includes not only willful or int
170

E.Substituted Performance by Way of Transport, Deliv
170

Section 2-614 articulates special rules that apply
170

1.Substituted Performance and the Agreed Transportat
170

Special rules apply if, without either party’s fau
170

a.Commercial Impracticability of Manner of Delivery
170

Whether the agreed manner of delivery has become c
170

b.Commercial Reasonableness of Available Substitute
170

The mere fact that an available substitute is subs
170

Example:
171

A grain elevator contracted to sell a specified to
171

2.Failure of Agreed Method of Payment Due to Governm
171

Special rules apply if the agreed method or means
171

F.Impracticability of Performance
171

Section 2-615 sometimes totally or partially excus
171

1.Contingency’s Nonoccurrence as a Basic Assumption
172

In determining whether the contingency’s nonoccurr
172

a.Cost Increases
172

In general, garden-variety cost increases are fore
172

Examples:
172

(1) A uranium supplier contracted to sell a stated
172

(2) A manufacturer contracted to sell electrical t
172

Compare:
173

An oil producer contracted to sell fuel to a power
173

b.Failure of Seller’s Supply Source
173

Generally, a partial failure of the seller’s sourc
173

c.Crop Failure
174

Crop failure is often invoked to apply § 2-615. Co
174

Note: Oftentimes, cases involving crop failures co
174

Example:
174

A farmer contracted to deliver 25,000 tons of grai
174

2.Significance of Seller’s Assuming a Greater Obliga
174

The excuse/defense of § 2-615 applies except to th
174

3.Whether a Contingency Has Rendered the Seller’s Pe
175

Impracticability, as used in § 2-615, does not req
175

Note: In a given case, it can be extremely difficu
175

a.Objective v. Subjective Impracticability
175

Section 2-615 is concerned with objective impracti
175

Example:
176

An oil producer contracted to sell fuel to a power
176

b.Sole-Source Supply Contracts and Objective Impract
176

As discussed above, to excuse a seller under § 2-6
176

Example:
176

A bottle distributor contracted to sell a specifie
176

Compare:
177

A coal distributor contracted to sell specified qu
177

4.Force-Majeure Clauses
177

Perhaps owing somewhat to § 2-615’s relative uncer
177

5.Impracticability Only Partially Affecting Seller’s
177

Special rules apply if the impracticability only p
177

a.Reasonably and Fairly Allocating Production and De
177

In allocating production and delivery, the seller
177

6.Seasonably Notifying the Buyer of Delay or Nondeli
178

If § 2-615 applies, the seller must notify the buy
178

VII.Warranties in UCC Article 2
178

Broadly speaking, a warranty is both a representat
178

A.Express Warranties
178

Section 2-313 governs express warranties in Articl
178

an affirmation of fact or promise,
178

a description of the goods, or
178

a sample or model.
178

[See U.C.C. § 2-313(1), with comments (1951); 2 Ha
178

1.Express Warranty by Affirmation of Fact or Promise
179

An affirmation of fact or promise from the seller
179

a.Whether an Affirmation of Fact or Promise Relates
179

Broadly speaking, a statement relates to the goods
179

Examples:
179

(1) A buyer contracted to purchase two emus (large
179

(2) A pig farmer contracted to buy feed from a dis
179

Compare:
180

A consumer purchased a can of olives. The label in
180

2.Express Warranty by Description of the Goods
180

A description of the goods creates an express warr
180

Examples:
180

(1) A buyer purchased a backhoe from a dealer. Cri
180

(2) A phone company purchased cables from a manufa
181

3.Express Warranty by Sample or Model
181

If a sample or model becomes part of the basis of
181

Example:
181

A homeowner contracted with a builder to install r
181

Compare:
181

A homeowner contracted to purchase windows from a
181

4.Affirmation of the Goods’ Value or the Seller’s Op
182

Two types of statements cannot create an express w
182

Note: Statements that a good is the best, the fine
182

Examples:
182

(1) A consumer purchased a motorcycle from a deale
182

(2) A manufacturer produced, marketed, and sold en
182

Compare:
183

A manufacturer produced and sold infant-care produ
183

5.Advertisements as Creating Express Warranties
183

An advertisement, like any other representation by
183

6.Whether an Affirmation, Promise, Description, Mode
183

Generally, to create an express warranty, a repres
183

7.Express Warranties and Formal Words of Warranty or
184

For an express warranty to arise, the seller need
184

8.Seller’s Intent to Create an Express Warranty
184

For an express warranty to arise, the seller need
184

B.Warranty of Title and Warranties against Infringem
184

In a contract for the sale of goods, § 2-312 impos
184

1.Warranty of Title: Majority Approach
184

In a sales contract, the seller warrants that (1)
184

2.Warranty of Title: Minority Approach
184

A minority of courts seem to hold that the warrant
184

Examples:
184

(1) A thief stole a valuable diamond ring from a w
184

(2) An airplane dealer leased a plane from a manuf
185

Note: Under the minority approach, the dealer did
185

a.Time of Breach of Warranty of Title
185

The warranty of title is breached, if at all, when
185

b.The Warranty of Title and Encumbrances
185

Again, the warranty of title assures the buyer tha
185

c.Excluding or Modifying the Warranty of Title
186

The parties may exclude or modify the warranty of
186

i.Language Excluding or Modifying the Warranty of Ti
186

Merely selling the goods “as is” is not sufficient
186

ii.Circumstances Excluding or Modifying the Warranty
186

Examples of circumstances that might exclude or mo
186

3.Warranties against Infringement
186

Article 2 contemplates two distinct warranties aga
186

a.Seller’s Warranty against Infringement
186

The seller’s warranty against infringement applies
186

b.Buyer’s Warranty against Infringement
187

Oftentimes, a buyer will supply the seller with ma
187

c.Excluding or Modifying the Warranties against Infr
187

The warranties against infringement are far easier
187

C.Implied Warranty of Merchantability
187

Perhaps the most consequential warranty in all of
187

1.Nonspecialized Sellers and Sealed Containers
187

Some cases hold that the implied warranty of merch
187

2.Serving Food or Drink to Be Consumed Either on or
188

For purposes of the implied warranty of merchantab
188

3.Requirements for Merchantability
188

Merchantable does not mean perfect. Indeed, the es
188

under the contract description, pass without objec
188

if the goods are fungible, be of average, fair qua
188

be fit for the ordinary purposes for which goods o
188

run of even kind, quantity, and quality among all
188

be adequately labeled, packaged, and contained as
188

conform to any promises or affirmations of fact on
188

[U.C.C. § 2-314(2) (1951); Federal Signal Corp. v.
188

a.Passing without Objection in the Trade under the C
188

The requirement that goods pass without objection
188

Examples:
189

(1) A farmer contracted to buy thousands of walnut
189

(2) A service-station operator contracted to purch
189

b.Fitness for the Ordinary Purposes for Which the Go
189

Perhaps the most important and heavily litigated r
189

i.Factors in Determining Whether Goods Are Fit for T
190

Courts consider many factors in determining whethe
190

are as safe as the ordinary user would reasonably
190

conform to industry or government standards;
190

are marketable or usable; and
190

are of average quality.
190

[See 2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-314:3, Westlaw (dat
190

ii.Whether the Goods Are Safe for Their Ordinary Purp
190

In general, for a product to be fit for its ordina
190

Example:
190

A corporation manufactured and sold various luxury
190

iii.Whether the Goods Conform to Government or Industr
191

Whether the goods conform to industry or governmen
191

iv.Whether the Goods Are Marketable or Usable
191

Of course, a crucial factor in evaluating whether
191

v.Whether the Goods Are of Average Quality
191

In evaluating whether the goods are fit for their
191

vi.Ordinary Purpose v. Particular Purpose
192

In applying the implied warranty of merchantabilit
192

Example:
192

A Little League baseball promoter purchased a ship
192

c.Running of Even Kind, Quantity, and Quality among
192

Again, for goods to be merchantable, they must run
192

d.Adequate Labeling, Packaging, and Containers
192

For goods to be merchantable, they must feature an
192

e.Conforming to Any Affirmations of Fact or Promises
193

Regardless of whether the contract requires any la
193

Note: In rare cases, an affirmation of fact or pro
193

f.Other Implied Warranties Arising from Course of De
193

Unless excluded or modified under § 2-316, course
193

4.Tort Law and the Implied Warranty of Merchantabili
193

As alluded to above, the implied warranty of merch
193

privity,
194

the statute of limitations,
194

damages, and
194

precisely what the plaintiff must prove.
194

[See 2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-314:6, Westlaw (dat
194

a.Privity and Products Liability
194

There is controversy over whether, to prevail on a
194

Note: Privity is irrelevant under a theory of negl
194

b.Statute of Limitations in Products-Liability Cases
194

Article 2’s statute of limitations is typically fo
194

c.Damages Recoverable in Products Liability
195

In tort, a products-liability plaintiff may typica
195

d.What the Plaintiff Must Prove to Recover in Produc
195

The intricacies of negligence and strict products
195

5.Time of Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantabil
195

The implied warranty of merchantability is breache
195

6.Proving the Existence of a Defect and the Implied
195

In some courts, for the plaintiff to prove a breac
195

7.Knowledge of Defect at the Time of Sale as a Limit
196

Some courts hold that a plaintiff cannot recover f
196

8.Plaintiff’s Conduct as a Limitation on Recovery
196

Ordinarily, the plaintiff’s conduct, such as contr
196

misuse of the goods, at least if unforeseeable;
196

failure to follow suitably conspicuous and clear i
196

substantially altering the goods; or
196

continued use of the goods, even after she knows t
196

[2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-314:5, Westlaw (databas
196

9.Buyer’s Specifications as a Limitation on Recovery
196

The buyer may be unable to recover for breach of t
196

D.Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpo
197

Section 2-315 sets forth yet another implied warra
197

1.Seller’s Merchant Status as Irrelevant to the Impl
197

As mentioned, the implied warranty of merchantabil
197

2.Buyer’s Particular Purpose for the Goods
197

The implied warranty of fitness for a particular p
197

Example:
197

A mountain climber went to a shoe store, where she
197

3.Seller’s Reason to Know of the Buyer’s Particular
198

For the implied warranty of fitness for a particul
198

Example:
198

A small manufacturer of electrical components cont
198

4.Requirement That the Buyer Actually Rely on the Se
198

For the implied warranty of fitness for a particul
198

Example:
198

A contractor sought to purchase several tractors,
198

5.Determining Whether the Goods Are Fit for the Buye
199

In determining whether the goods are fit for the b
199

6.Limitations on Recovery for Breach of Warranty of
199

The implied warranty of fitness for a particular p
199

disclaimer,
199

the privity requirement (in some jurisdictions), a
199

the plaintiff’s conduct.
199

[See 2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-315:4, Westlaw (dat
199

E.Excluding and Modifying Warranties
199

Section 2-316 sets forth the rules by which partie
199

Note: Overriding federal law, such as the Magnuson
199

1.Excluding or Modifying Express Warranties
200

To the extent reasonable, any words or conduct rel
200

Note: In actual practice, many cases have held tha
200

a.Common Language Tending to Negate or Limit Warrant
200

Examples of common language tending to negate or l
200

language excluding “all warranties, express or imp
200

language indicating that the goods are sold “as is
200

language indicating that “no person has authority
200

language stating that the contract contains “no ex
200

a statement that “There are no warranties which ex
200

[See U.C.C. § 2-316(2)-(3)(a) (1951); 2 Hawkland U
200

Example:
201

A motorcyclist wore a helmet while riding his moto
201

2.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Mer
201

In general, there are two ways to exclude or modif
201

a.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Mer
201

One way to disclaim the implied warranty of mercha
201

Example:
201

A buyer contracted to purchase a highway grinder f
201

Compare:
202

A buyer contracted to purchase large quantities of
202

b.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Mer
202

The second way to exclude or modify the implied wa
202

Note: Technically, “as is” or similar language nee
202

3.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Fit
202

As with the implied warranty of merchantability, t
203

a.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Fit
203

One way for the seller to exclude or modify the im
203

b.Excluding or Modifying the Implied Warranty of Fit
203

As with the implied warranty of merchantability, t
203

4.Conspicuous Defined
203

In the UCC, a term is conspicuous if it is “so wri
203

a.Examples of Conspicuous Text
204

Terms are generally conspicuous if, for instance,
204

5.Buyer’s Examination as Excluding Implied Warrantie
204

Special rules apply if the buyer, before entering
204

Note: As the cases cited in the following two exam
204

Example:
204

A buyer contracted to purchase a puppy from a sell
204

Compare:
205

A buyer sought to purchase an airplane from a sell
205

a.Buyer’s Refusal to Examine the Goods
205

For the buyer to refuse to examine the goods, it i
205

6.Excluding or Modifying Implied Warranties by Cours
205

Notwithstanding the rules discussed above, the imp
205

F.Conflicting Warranties
206

A given contract may bear multiple warranties. For
206

1.Rules to Determine the Parties’ Intent Concerning
206

If it is unreasonable to construe multiple warrant
206

exact or technical specifications prevail over bot
206

a sample taken from a bulk in existence prevails o
206

an express warranty displaces the implied warranty
206

the implied warranty of fitness for a particular p
206

[U.C.C. § 2-317, cmt. 3 (1951).]
206

2.Estoppel as Against the Seller
206

The abovementioned rules do not apply if the selle
206

Example:
206

A metropolitan transportation authority contracted
206

contract expressly warranted that the manufacturer
207

VIII.Remedies
207

Part 7 of Article 2 sets forth most of the seller’
207

A.Special Remedies for Particular Contexts
207

Some of Article 2’s remedial provisions apply in s
207

1.Seller’s Remedies on the Buyer’s Insolvency
207

Section 2-702 affords the seller various remedies
207

a.Insolvency
207

In the UCC, a party is insolvent if the party (1)
207

b.Seller’s Right to Refuse to Deliver Except for Cas
208

As mentioned, upon discovering the buyer’s insolve
208

Example:
208

A manufacturer contracted to produce and package n
208

c.Seller’s Right to Reclaim the Goods if the Buyer H
208

If the buyer receives goods on credit while insolv
208

i.Requirement of Buyer’s Possession and Identificati
209

For the seller to reclaim the goods, the goods gen
209

ii.Misrepresentation of Solvency
209

For a misrepresentation of solvency to obviate the
209

iii.Seller’s Right of Reclamation if Buyer Is in Bankr
209

If the buyer is in bankruptcy, it is federal bankr
209

iv.Exclusivity of Reclamation
209

If the seller successfully reclaims the goods, the
209

v.Priority of Seller’s Right of Reclamation
209

The seller’s right of reclamation is subject to th
209

2.Liquidated Damages
210

Broadly speaking, a liquidated-damages provision s
210

a.Contractual Language Addressing the Reasonableness
210

Contracts often include language addressing the fa
210

b.Anticipated or Actual Harm Flowing from the Breach
210

A liquidated-damages provision must be reasonable
210

Example:
211

A software developer licensed a software product t
211

Compare:
211

A buyer placed successful bids for two mobile home
211

c.Difficulty of Proving Loss
211

A liquidated-damages amount must be reasonable in
211

Example:
211

A software developer licensed a software product t
211

d.Inconvenience or Infeasibility of Otherwise Procur
212

A liquidated-damages amount must be reasonable in
212

e.Result if Liquidated-Damages Provision Is Unenforc
212

If a liquidated-damages provision is unenforceable
212

3.Breaching Buyer’s Restitution
212

If the seller justifiably refuses to deliver the g
212

a.Seller’s Right to Offset Damages against Breaching
212

Even if the breaching buyer is entitled to restitu
212

Example:
213

A consumer contracted to buy a pair of eyeglasses
213

b.Breaching Buyer’s Restitution if Seller Has Receiv
213

Sometimes, the seller receives payment in goods, n
213

B.Seller’s Remedies
213

Section 2-703 affords the seller various remedies
213

1.Seller’s General Remedies
214

The seller’s remedies for the buyer’s breach inclu
214

withholding delivery of the goods,
214

cancelling the contract,
214

identifying goods to the contract despite the brea
214

stopping delivery by a bailee under § 2-705,
214

reselling the goods and recovering damages from th
214

recovering damages for nonacceptance under § 2-708
214

bringing an action for the price in a proper case
214

[U.C.C. § 2-703 (1951); 2 Hawkland UCC Series § 2-
214

a.Seller’s Right to Withhold Delivery of the Goods
214

If the buyer breaches the contract as to goods not
214

Note: Section 2-612 controls the seller’s entitlem
214

b.Seller’s Right to Cancel the Contract
215

Generally, if the buyer breaches the contract, the
215

2.Seller’s Right to Identify Conforming Goods
215

Certain of the seller’s remedies require that the
215

3.Seller’s Options Regarding Unfinished Goods
215

Exercising reasonable commercial judgment, and to
215

a.Requirement That Seller’s Actions Regarding Unfini
215

As mentioned, § 2-704 affords the seller various o
215

Regardless of what the seller elects to do here, h
216

b.Deciding Whether to Complete Manufacture if Goods
216

Oftentimes, it is commercially reasonable for the
216

Example:
216

A cruise line placed orders for custom leather gif
216

4.Seller’s Right to Stop Delivery of Goods in a Bail
216

If the buyer breaches the contract, the seller may
216

a.Seller with a Right to Stop Delivery v. Transferee
217

Generally, the seller’s right to stop delivery wil
217

b.Duration of Seller’s Right to Stop Delivery
217

The seller may typically stop delivery until the g
217

the buyer receives the goods;
217

a bailee, other than a carrier, acknowledges to th
217

a carrier acknowledges to the buyer that the carri
217

a negotiable document of title covering the goods
217

[U.C.C. § 2-705(2) (1951); 2 Hawkland UCC Series §
217

i.A Carrier Acknowledging Goods by Acting as a Wareh
217

As mentioned, the seller’s right to stop delivery
217

ii.Shipment to the Buyer’s Designated Subpurchaser
218

If the seller ships the goods to the buyer’s desig
218

c.Notification Requirement to Stop Delivery
218

To stop delivery, the seller must furnish notifica
218

d.Bailee’s Obligation to Obey Stop Order
218

Generally, once the seller properly notifies the b
218

e.Result of Seller’s Effective Stoppage of Delivery
218

If the seller effectively stops delivery under § 2
218

5.Resale by Seller
218

One of the seller’s principal remedies, if not the
218

a.Seller’s Damages on Proper Resale
218

The seller must implement the resale in good faith
218

manner. Having done so, the seller may recover res
219

Examples:
219

(1) A retailer ordered a shipment of widgets from
219

(2) A retailer ordered a shipment of widgets from
219

i.Result if Seller Resells the Goods for More Than t
219

The seller is not accountable to the buyer for any
219

Example:
220

A retailer ordered a shipment of widgets from a ma
220

1)Rule if a Buyer or a Person in the Position of a S
220

As discussed below, if a buyer rightfully rejects
220

ii.Resale Damages and the Breaching Buyer’s Right to
220

As discussed above, the breaching buyer may have a
220

Example:
221

A retailer ordered widgets from a manufacturer. Th
221

b.Implementing the Resale
221

Except as otherwise provided in § 2-706, and unles
221

i.Resale of Future Goods
221

Resale does not require that, at the time of breac
221

ii.Public Sale v. Private Sale
221

For purposes of resale, a public sale is one by au
221

iii.Rules for Resale by Private Sale
221

If the resale is by private sale, the seller must
221

iv.Resale by Public Sale
222

In the case of resale by public sale, special rule
222

1)Requirement of Identified Goods in a Resale by Pub
222

In a resale by public sale, the general rule is th
222

2)Place of Resale by Public Sale
222

If reasonably available, a resale by public sale m
222

3)Notice Requirement for Resale by Public Sale
222

As a general rule, the seller must give the buyer
222

4)Rules if Public Resale Is to Occur at a Place Othe
222

If the public sale is to occur somewhere other tha
222

5)Seller’s Right to Buy at a Public Resale
223

At a resale by public sale, the seller may bid on
223

c.Rights of a Good-Faith Purchaser at a Resale
223

If a purchaser at a resale buys the goods in good
223

d.Rule That All Aspects of the Resale Must Be Commer
223

As mentioned, all aspects of the resale must be co
223

Example:
223

A popcorn manufacturer contracted to buy corn from
223

Compare:
224

A Minnesota retailer contracted to purchase heatin
224

i.Commercial Reasonableness and the Timing of the Re
224

Perhaps the most important aspect of commercial re
224

6.Person in the Position of a Seller
224

Person in the position of a seller is a term of ar
224

a.Remedies Available to a Person in the Position of
225

Under § 2-707(2), a person in the position of a se
225

7.Seller’s Damages for Buyer’s Nonacceptance or Repu
225

Section 2-708 sets forth what is generally the def
225

a.General Damages Formula under § 2-708
225

The damages formula under § 2-708 operates virtual
225

Note: The express language of § 2-708 refers to th
226

b.Determining Market Price
226

Section 2-723 affords guidance in determining the
226

i.Market Price in the Case of Anticipatory Repudiati
226

If the basis for the breach is anticipatory repudi
226

ii.Rule if Evidence of Price Prevailing at the Design
226

Article 2 refers to market price in multiple provi
226

1)Rule if Evidence of Market Price at Designated Pla
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If evidence of the market price at the designated
226

2)Rule if Evidence of Market Price at Designated Tim
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If evidence of the market price at the designated
227

iii.Using Other Reasonable Methods to Determine Market
227

The rules in § 2-723 are not intended to preclude
227

8.Seller’s Lost Profits
227

In appropriate cases, the seller may recover the p
227

a.Calculating Damages Based on Lost Profits
227

There is something of a formula to calculate damag
227

Examples:
228

(1) A manufacturer contracted to sell an x-ray mac
228

(2) A manufacturer contracted to sell an x-ray mac
228

b.The Lost-Volume Seller
228

In the so-called lost-volume-seller scenario, the
228

i.Requirements to Recover Lost Profits as a Lost-Vol
229

To recover lost profits as a lost-volume seller, t
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1)Capacity to Make an Additional Sale
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To recover lost profits as a lost-volume seller, t
229

2)Profitability of Making Both Sales
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For a seller to recover lost profits as a lost-vol
229

3)Probability of Making Additional Sale but for Buye
229

To recover lost profits as a lost-volume seller, t
229

Example:
229

A carpet manufacturer had 2,000 identical carpets
229

ii.Due Allowance for Resale Proceeds and the Lost-Vol
230

As mentioned, the damages formula for lost profits
230

Note: The breaching buyer’s entitlement to credit
230

Example:
230

A manufacturer contracted to sell a completed x-ra
230

Compare:
230

A manufacturer contracted to sell an x-ray machine
230

c.Lost Profits for the Middleman or Jobber
231

Another common scenario in which courts award lost
231

Example:
231

A petroleum wholesaler contracted to sell petroleu
231

d.Lost Profits and Specially Manufactured Goods
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Yet another situation in which courts commonly awa
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e.Lost Profits and the Sale of Components
231

Courts may award lost profits in the case of a sel
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9.Seller’s Action for the Price
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In limited circumstances, § 2-709 permits a seller
232

a.Requirements for Seller to Recover the Price
232

The seller’s recovering the price entails two step
232

i.Recovering the Price if the Buyer Has Accepted the
232

The seller may recover the price if (1) the buyer
232

ii.Recovering the Price if Conforming Goods Are Lost
232

Assuming the buyer has failed to pay at least part
232

Example:
233

A diamond distributor contracted to sell diamonds
233

iii.Recovering the Price as to Identified Goods That t
233

Assuming the buyer has failed to pay all or some o
233

Example:
233

A manufacturer produced display gondolas for a lar
233

b.Seller’s Responsibility for the Goods upon Suing f
233

Once the seller sues for the price, the seller mus
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(1) identified to the contract and (2) still in th
234

c.Result if Seller Is Not Entitled to the Price
234

If the seller’s action for the price fails (i.e.,
234

10. Seller’s Incidental Damages
234

Section 2-710 lets the seller recover incidental d
234

a.Seller’s Entitlement to Incidental v. Consequentia
234

As opposed to incidental damages, most courts hold
234

C.Buyer’s Remedies for Goods Not Accepted
234

Section 2-711 lists the buyer’s remedies as to goo
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1.Buyer’s Right to Cancel the Contract
235

As mentioned, the buyer may generally cancel the c
235

2.Cover
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In Article 2, the term cover refers to the buyer’s
235

a.Cover without Unreasonable Delay
235

The requirement that the buyer implement cover wit
235

b.Commercially Reasonable Cover
236

For cover to be commercially reasonable, the cover
236

Examples:
236

(1) A church contracted with a distributor to purc
236

(2) A farmer contracted to sell sunflower seeds to
236

Compare:
237

An agricultural company contracted to buy a certai
237

c.Cover Damages
237

If the buyer properly covers, she may recover from
237

Examples:
237

(1) A buyer contracted to purchase widgets from a
237

(2) A buyer contracted to purchase widgets from a
237

Compare:
238

A buyer contracted to purchase widgets from a sell
238

3.Buyer’s Security Interest in the Goods
238

If the buyer rightfully rejects the goods or right
238

a.Scope of Buyer’s Security Interest in the Goods
238

The buyer’s security interest in the goods does no
238

Example:
239

A concrete supplier contracted to buy a concrete b
239

b.Buyer’s Security Interest and Its Relationship to
239

The buyer will not be deemed to accept the goods j
239

c.Priority of Buyer’s Security Interest
239

Under UCC Article 9, the buyer’s security interest
239

4.Buyer’s Rights on Seller’s Nondelivery or Repudiat
239

Section 2-713 sets forth the general damages formu
239

a.General Damages Formula under § 2-713
240

The general damages formula under § 2-713 is (1) t
240

Examples:
240

(1) A buyer contracted to buy widgets from a selle
240

(2) A buyer contracted to buy widgets from a sell
240

Compare:
241

A buyer contracted to buy widgets from a seller fo
241

b.Market Price in § 2-713
241

In § 2-713, the relevant market price is that for
241

5.Buyer’s Right to Specific Performance
241

In Article 2, only the buyer can receive specific
241

a.Unique Goods
241

Literally speaking, unique means one of a kind. Ho
241

Example:
242

A chemical manufacturer contracted to sell calcine
242

b.Other Proper Circumstances
242

Neither § 2-716 nor its official comments articula
242

c.Discretionary Nature of Specific Performance
242

Even if the requirements for specific performance
242

i.Difficulty of Proving Damages with Reasonable Cert
243

One factor in assessing the adequacy of money dama
243

Example:
243

A steel manufacturer contracted to sell, to a dist
243

ii.Difficulty of Obtaining Substitute Performance via
243

Another factor in assessing the adequacy of money
243

Example:
243

A farmer contracted to sell 10,000 bales of cotton
243

iii.Likelihood That a Damages Award Could Not Be Colle
243

Still another factor in assessing the adequacy of
243

d.Imposing Terms and Conditions on Specific Performa
244

If the court grants specific performance, the cour
244

6.Buyer’s Right to Replevin
244

Broadly speaking, replevin refers to a lawsuit to
244

a.Unavailability or Futility of Cover
244

The buyer has a right of replevin against the sell
244

Example:
244

A private aviator contracted to purchase an identi
244

b.Replevin as to Goods Shipped under Reservation
245

The buyer has a right of replevin as to identified
245

c.Nonexclusive Nature of Replevin as a Remedy
245

The remedy of replevin applies in addition to both
245

7.Buyer’s Right to Recover the Goods under § 2-502
245

Under § 2-502, the buyer may acquire the goods fro
245

a.Result if Buyer Identified the Goods to the Contra
245

If the buyer is the one who identified the goods t
245

b.Requirement That Seller Become Insolvent within 10
245

If the basis for the buyer’s right to recover the
245

c.Vesting of Buyer’s Right to Recover Consumer Goods
246

In the case of consumer goods, the buyer’s right t
246

D.Buyer’s Damages for Breach Regarding Accepted Good
246

Section 2-714 governs the buyer’s damages if the b
246

1.General Measure of Direct Damages
246

Broadly speaking, direct damages equal the differe
246

Note: Crucially, direct, incidental, and consequen
246

Example:
247

A general contractor purchased steel casings from
247

2.Direct Damages for Breach of Warranty
247

Section 2-714 furnishes a nonexclusive measure of
247

a.Special Circumstances Indicating Proximate Damages
247

In breach-of-warranty cases, special circumstances
247

E.Buyer’s Incidental and Consequential Damages
248

In appropriate cases, Article 2 permits the buyer
248

1.Buyer’s Incidental Damages
248

The definition of the buyer’s incidental damages i
248

a.Expenses of Handling Nonconforming Goods
248

The buyer’s incidental damages include expenses th
248

Example:
248

A landscaper contracted to purchase trees from a f
248

b.Expenses of Implementing Cover
249

Incidental damages include expenses of implementin
249

Example:
249

Corporation A sold carpeting mats. Corporation A g
249

c.Catchall Category of Incidental Damages
249

Apart from expenses of handling nonconforming good
249

Example:
249

A broker contracted to buy coal from a mining comp
249

2.Buyer’s Consequential Damages
250

In Article 2, only the buyer may recover consequen
250

a.Consequential Damages Arising from the Buyer’s Gen
250

Per § 2-715(2)(a), consequential damages include l
250

Note: If the buyer is in the business of reselling
250

Examples:
250

(1) A broker of industrial machines entered a cont
250

(2) A miller owned a mill that could not operate w
250

i.Litigation Expenses and Liability Arising from the
251

A third party may bring claims against the buyer d
251

Example:
251

A broker of industrial machines entered a contract
251

ii.Loss Not Reasonably Preventable by Cover or Otherw
251

Consequential damages arising from the buyer’s for
251

Examples:
252

(1) A manufacturer contracted to buy, from a deale
252

(2) A broker contracted to purchase, from a manufa
252

1)Time for Buyer to Mitigate Damages
252

The buyer must generally make reasonable efforts t
252

Example:
253

A physician contracted to purchase an x-ray machin
253

2)Reasonable Efforts to Mitigate Losses
253

The buyer need only make reasonable efforts to mit
253

Example:
253

A collector contracted to purchase a collection of
253

b.Consequential Damages as Including Personal Injury
254

The buyer’s consequential damages include personal
254

c.Distinguishing among Direct, Incidental, and Conse
254

It is vital to distinguish among direct, incidenta
254

Example:
254

A restauranteur contracted to buy a commercial-gra
254

d.Proving Consequential Damages with Reasonable Cert
255

To recover consequential damages, the buyer must p
255

i.Proof of Lost Profits
255

In the seller’s case, proving lost profits is typi
255

Example:
255

An entrepreneur engaged a consultant to help him e
255

F.Deducting Damages from the Price
256

As discussed above, as to any goods accepted, the
256

1.Deducting Damages from the Price under § 2-717 v.
256

The self-help remedy of deducting damages from the
256

2.Notice Requirement to Deduct Damages from the Pric
256

To exercise the self-help remedy of deducting the
256

G.Limitation or Modification of Remedies in the Agre
256

As a general rule, and subject to the rules on liq
256

(1) set forth remedies instead of or in addition t
257

1.Limitation or Modification of Remedies v. Disclaim
257

It is crucial not to confuse (1) a limitation or m
257

2.Limitation or Modification of Remedies in the Agre
257

Unlike warranty disclaimers, Article 2 imposes no
257

3.General Rule That Resort to a Limited, Modified, o
257

Typically, if the agreement contemplates a limited
257

4.Exclusive or Limited Remedy That Fails of Its Esse
257

Sometimes, if the agreement provides for an exclus
257

Note: In determining whether a limited or exclusiv
258

a.Limitation to Repair or Replacement of Defective G
258

A quite common remedy limitation is (1) excluding
258

b.Failure of Essential Purpose and Unforeseen Circum
258

Generally, the circumstances leading to failure of
258

Example:
258

A yacht manufacturer contracted to buy gel coating
258

5.Limiting or Excluding Consequential Damages
259

The agreement may generally limit or exclude conse
259

Note: Section 2-719(3) expressly states that limit
259

Example:
259

A manufacturer sold spinal cord implants to assist
259

6.Rule if the Agreement Both Limits Remedies and Exc
260

Oftentimes, an agreement will purport to both limi
260

H.Statute of Limitations in Article 2
260

In general, a cause of action for breach of any co
260

1.When a Cause of Action Accrues in Article 2
260

Generally, the cause of action accrues when the br
260

a.Whether Warranty Expressly Extends to the Goods’ F
260

Generally, the warranty expressly extends to the g
260

Example:
261

A retailer contracted to buy widgets from a manufa
261

i.Implied Warranties as Not Extending to Future Perf
261

Courts generally hold that implied warranties (e.g
261

b.Special Rules for Goods Sold through Distributive
261

In determining when a cause of action accrues, spe
261

c.Accrual in Cases of Anticipatory Repudiation
261

If the breach consists of an anticipatory repudiat
261

2.Applicability of Different Statutes of Limitation
262

If the contract is one for the sale of goods, Arti
262

3.Extension of Time if Case Is Dismissed Other Than
262

Article 2’s statute of limitations is generally ex
262

4.Tolling of the Statute of Limitations
262

Article 2 does not alter the law on tolling of the
262

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