1. Introduction to Sales and Lease Contracts
Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Introduction to Sales and Lease Contracts
Introduction to Sales and Lease Contracts
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2. Overview LO21-1: What is the UCC? LO21-2: What is a sales contract?
LO21-3: What kinds of contracts fall under the UCC interpretations?
LO21-4: What is the difference between a UCC Article 2 contract and a common law contract?
LO21-5: What is a merchant, and why is that designation significant?
LO21-6: What is a lease contract?
LO21-7: What is the CISG?

3. Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 1
Walla Walla Window Washing Equipment Company, Inc. ("Walla Walla Window") has contracted with Seattle Slew of Window Washers, LLC ("Seattle Slew") to sell $15,000 worth of window cleaning supplies. Walla Walla Window's business is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and Seattle Slew is headquartered in Seattle. The date for performance indicated in the contract is June At 8:00 a.m. on June 30, James Walls, Walla Walla Window's owner, calls Seattle Slew's owner, Taylor Michaud, to inform him that the window cleaning supplies he ordered are ready at Walla Walla's warehouse. Taken aback by Walls's "come and get 'em" approach to the supplies, Michaud responds, "James, if you don't get those window cleaning supplies to me tonight, I will sue you for breach of contract." Walls responds by saying, "Taylor, if you will review our contract, you'll see that we're not obligated to deliver the supplies to you. Plus, you have a whole fleet of trucks of your own to choose from. Send one to Walla Walla to get these supplies." Michaud retorts, "James, any seller worth his salt knows that buyers expect seller delivery."
If Walla Walla Window Washing Equipment Company, Inc. does not deliver the window cleaning supplies to Seattle Slew of Window Washers, LLC by midnight on June 30, is the company in breach of contract? (Assume the contract between the companies does not indicate a seller delivery obligation.)
Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 1: Walla Walla Window Washing Equipment Company, Inc. ("Walla Walla Window") has contracted with Seattle Slew of Window Washers, LLC ("Seattle Slew") to sell $15,000 worth of window cleaning supplies. Walla Walla Window's business is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and Seattle Slew is headquartered in Seattle. The date for performance indicated in the contract is June At 8:00 a.m. on June 30, James Walls, Walla Walla Window's owner, calls Seattle Slew's owner, Taylor Michaud, to inform him that the window cleaning supplies he ordered are ready at Walla Walla's warehouse. Taken aback by Walls's "come and get 'em" approach to the supplies, Michaud responds, "James, if you don't get those window cleaning supplies to me tonight, I will sue you for breach of contract." Walls responds by saying, "Taylor, if you will review our contract, you'll see that we're not obligated to deliver the supplies to you. Plus, you have a whole fleet of trucks of your own to choose from. Send one to Walla Walla to get these supplies." Michaud retorts, "James, any seller worth his salt knows that buyers expect seller delivery."
If Walla Walla Window Washing Equipment Company, Inc. does not deliver the window cleaning supplies to Seattle Slew of Window Washers, LLC by midnight on June 30, is the company in breach of contract? (Assume the contract between the companies does not indicate a seller delivery obligation.)
[Instructor: See Articles 2 and 2(A) of the UCC in Chapter 21]

4. Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 2
As this chapter indicates, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) holds merchants to a higher standard of behavior than non-merchants. UCC Section 2-104(1) defines a merchant as "a person who deals in goods of the kind, or otherwise by his occupation, holds himself out as having knowledge or skill peculiar to the practices or goods involved in the transaction, or to whom such knowledge or skill may be attributed by his employment of an agent or broker or other intermediary who, by his occupation, holds himself out as having such knowledge or skill."
From an ethical perspective, describe why merchants are held to a higher standard of behavior than non-merchants. Do you support this "great expectation" of merchants, or do you believe that merchant status should be irrelevant in terms of expected standards of behavior in a sale-of-goods transaction?
Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 2: As this chapter indicates, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) holds merchants to a higher standard of behavior than non-merchants. UCC Section 2-104(1) defines a merchant as "a person who deals in goods of the kind, or otherwise by his occupation, holds himself out as having knowledge or skill peculiar to the practices or goods involved in the transaction, or to whom such knowledge or skill may be attributed by his employment of an agent or broker or other intermediary who, by his occupation, holds himself out as having such knowledge or skill."
From an ethical perspective, describe why merchants are held to a higher standard of behavior than non-merchants. Do you support this "great expectation" of merchants, or do you believe that merchant status should be irrelevant in terms of expected standards of behavior in a sale-of-goods transaction?
[Instructor: See The Uniform Commercial Code in Chapter 21]

5. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
Definition: Statutory source of contract law in the U.S. that is applicable to transactions involving the sale of goods
Outline
Article 1: General Provisions
Article 2: Sales
Article 2(A): Leases
Article 3: Negotiable Instruments
Article 4: Bank Deposits and Collections
Article 4(A): Wire Transfers
Article 5: Letters of Credit
Article 6: Bulk Transfers
Article 7: Documents of Title
Article 8: Investment Securities
Article 9: Secured Transactions
The Uniform Commercial Code, or UCC, is a statutory source of contract law in the U.S. that is applicable to transactions involving the sale of goods. The UCC includes the following provisions: Article 1: General Provisions; Article 2: Sales; Article 2(A): Leases; Article 3: Negotiable Instruments; Article 4: Bank Deposits and Collections; Article 4(A): Wire Transfers; Article 5: Letters of Credit; Article 6: Bulk Transfers; Article 7: Documents of Title; Article 8: Investment Securities; and Article 9: Secured Transactions.

6. UCC Article 2 Purpose: Applies to contracts for the sale of goods
Sale: The passing of title from seller to buyer for a price
Goods: Tangible things that can be moved (examples: automobiles, furniture, electronics)
Mixed goods and services contracts: Contracts that include both goods and services. UCC Article 2 applies to contract if goods are predominant part of transaction
Merchants: Buyers or sellers who
Deal in goods of the kind involved in contract,
By occupation, represent themselves as having knowledge and skill unique to goods involved in transaction, or
Employ a merchant as a broker, agent, or other intermediary
UCC Article 2 applies to contracts for the sale of goods. Important UCC Article 2 terminology includes a sale, which constitutes the passing of title from a seller to a buyer for a price; goods, tangible things that can be moved (for example, automobiles, furniture, and electronics); mixed goods and services contracts, or contracts that include both goods and services (UCC Article 2 applies to contract if goods are a predominant part of the transaction); and merchants, defined as buyers or sellers who deal in the kinds of goods involved in contract, who by occupation, represent themselves as having knowledge and skill unique to goods involved in transaction, or who employ a merchant as a broker, agent, or other intermediary.

7. UCC Article 2(A) Purpose: Applies to contracts for the lease of goods
Lease: Transfer of right to possession and use of goods for a term, in return for consideration
Lessor: Person who transfers right to possession and use of goods under lease
Lessee: Person who acquires the right to possession and use of good under lease
Special Leases: Consumer leases and finance leases
UCC Article 2 applies to contracts for the lease of goods. Important UCC Article 2(A) terminology includes leases, or transfers of the right to possession and use of goods for a term, in return for consideration; lessor, or person who transfers right to possession and use of goods under lease; lessee, or person who acquires the right to possession and use of good under lease; and special leases, or consumer leases and finance leases.

8. How Sales and Lease Contracts Are Formed Under The UCC
Formation in general: Contracts for sale or lease of goods may be made in any manner sufficient to show agreement
Offer and acceptance
Offers valid even if terms left open
Mirror-image rule does not apply
Consideration: Mutual consideration required upon forming agreement. When sales/lease contracts modified, modifications need not be supported by additional consideration
In general, contracts for sale or lease of goods may be made in any manner sufficient to show agreement. With regard to offer and acceptance in a UCC contract, offers can be valid even if terms are left open, and the mirror-image rule does not strictly apply. Mutual consideration is required upon forming a sales or lease agreement. When UCC contracts are modified, the modification does not need to be supported by additional consideration to be binding.

9. The UCC and Open Terms Term left open, and interpretation under UCC
Price: Reasonable price supplied at time of delivery
Payment: Due when buyer receives goods
Delivery: Seller's place of business
Time for performance: Reasonable time
Duration of contract: Termination allowed in good faith upon reasonable notification
Quantity: Courts generally have no basis for determining
The UCC contains special rules regarding open terms, or provisions that are not included in the contract. A reasonable price should be supplied at the time of delivery. Payment is due when the buyer receives the goods. The seller must make the goods available at the seller's place of business. Performance is due within a reasonable period of time. The duration of the contract will be a reasonable period of time, with termination allowed in good faith and upon notice. Courts generally have no basis for determining quantity.

10. UCC Statute of Frauds
General Rule: Contracts for sale of goods must be in writing if goods valued at $500 or more; lease contracts that require payments of $1,000 or more must also be in writing
Exceptions:
Specifically manufactured goods
Buyer/lessee ordered goods made to meet his/her specific needs
Goods not suitable for sale/lease to others in ordinary course of business; and
Seller/lessor has substantially begun manufacture of goods, or made commitments for their procurement
Admission (in legal pleadings, testimony, or court)
Partial performance: Enforceable to extent payment made and accepted, or to extent goods received and accepted
According to the UCC statute of frauds, contracts for the sale of goods must generally be in writing if the goods are valued at $500 or more. Lease contracts that require payments of $1,000 or more must also be in writing. There are several exceptions to the UCC statute of frauds writing requirement. If the goods are specifically manufactured, the contract does not have to be in writing in order to be enforceable. With specifically manufactured goods, the buyer or lessee orders goods made to meet his or her specific needs, the goods are not suitable for sale or lease to others in the ordinary course of business, and the seller or lessor has substantially begun manufacture of the goods, or has made commitments for their procurement. If the defendant admits in legal pleadings, in testimony, or in court that the contract exists, the contract does not have to be in writing in order to be enforceable. Finally, partial performance makes an oral contract enforceable to the extent payment has been made and accepted, or to the extent the goods have been received and accepted.

11. UCC Contracts/Leases and the Admissibility of Parole
Evidence outside a written contract is admissible if:
Additional terms consistent with contract terms
Evidence helps interpret agreement, including:
Course of performance
Course of dealings
Usage of trade
According to the UCC, evidence outside of a written sales or lease contract is admissible if the outside additional terms are consistent with contract terms. Parole evidence is also admissible if it helps interpret the agreement, including evidence pertaining to course of performance, course of dealings, and usage of trade.

12. Sales and Lease Contracts: Factors
When courts interpret sales and lease contracts, they look at:
Express contract terms
Course of performance (regarding subject contract)
Course of dealing (between subject parties)
Usage of trade (industry standard)
In interpreting sales and lease contracts, evidence courts look at includes express contract terms, course of performance (regarding the subject contract), course of dealings (between the subject parties), and usage of trade (or industry standard).

13. Unconscionability
In context of UCC contract for sale of goods or lease, an agreement that is so unfair or one-sided that court refuses to enforce it
In the context of UCC contracts for the sale of goods or leases, an agreement that is so unfair or one-sided that the court refuses to enforce it is referred to as an unconscionable contract.

14. Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG)
United Nations treaty governing international business-to-business sales contracts
Many major trading nations have signed the CISG
Significance of CISG: Important because CISG (rather than UCC) governs international sales contracts
Advantage of CISG: Provides clarity, predictability, and uniformity for global businesses
CISG, or Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, is a United Nations treaty governing international business-to-business sales contracts. Many major trading nations have signed the CISG, and it is an important treaty in the sense that it, rather than the UCC, governs international sales contracts involving signatory nations. CISG provides clarity, predictability, and uniformity for global businesses.

15. Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 3
While traveling on Interstate 10 in the vast, arid space between Phoenix and Los Angeles, Penn Lay's worst nightmare comes true. Transmission failure forces him onto the emergency lane of the highway, and at that moment, Lay realizes the true value of his cell phone. Lay calls a Phoenix towing company, and his car is transported to S. Li Ping Transmission Repair, Inc. The repair bill at S. Li Ping amounts to $5,000. On the bill, transmission parts total $4,000, and labor hours total $1,000 (5 hours at $200 per hour). Lay believes that the principles of capitalism do not extend to such an exorbitant sum, and he further believes that S. Li Ping interpreted his out-of-state, North Carolina license plate as a "license to steal."
Who wins? In litigation between the parties, does the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) apply, or ordinary contract law ("common" law?) If ordinary contract law applies, should North Carolina or Arizona law apply? Does S. Li Ping have a legal and/or ethical obligation to charge out-of-state residents the same repair price as in-state residents?
Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 3: While traveling on Interstate 10 in the vast, arid space between Phoenix and Los Angeles, Penn Lay's worst nightmare comes true. Transmission failure forces him onto the emergency lane of the highway, and at that moment, Lay realizes the true value of his cell phone. Lay calls a Phoenix towing company, and his car is transported to S. Li Ping Transmission Repair, Inc. The repair bill at S. Li Ping amounts to $5,000. On the bill, transmission parts total $4,000, and labor hours total $1,000 (5 hours at $200 per hour). Lay believes that the principles of capitalism do not extend to such an exorbitant sum, and he further believes that S. Li Ping interpreted his out-of-state, North Carolina license plate as a "license to steal."
Who wins? In litigation between the parties, does the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) apply, or ordinary contract law ("common" law?) If ordinary contract law applies, should North Carolina or Arizona law apply? Does S. Li Ping have a legal and/or ethical obligation to charge out-of-state residents the same repair price as in-state residents?
[Instructor: See The Uniform Commercial Code in Chapter 21]

16. Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 4
Philip Van Houten accepts a contract in the District of Columbia for the sale of a boat from Rita Evenwell via , but the contract was delivered by regular mail. In his indicating acceptance, Van Houten changes the terms of the sale slightly from Evenwell's contract, stating that he will complete the payments over 10 years instead of the contract's 8 years. Evenwell assents to the change in an reply.
Van Houten then has a change of heart about the boat—he doesn't want it, after all—and claims that the contract is invalid because of the mirror-image rule. Evenwell sues, stating that the UCC applies in this case.
Who will win, Van Houten or Evenwell? Why?
Chapter 21 Hypothetical Case 4: Philip Van Houten accepts a contract in the District of Columbia for the sale of a boat from Rita Evenwell via , but the contract was delivered by regular mail. In his indicating acceptance, Van Houten changes the terms of the sale slightly from Evenwell's contract, stating that he will complete the payments over 10 years instead of the contract's 8 years. Evenwell assents to the change in an reply.
Van Houten then has a change of heart about the boat—he doesn't want it, after all—and claims that the contract is invalid because of the mirror-image rule. Evenwell sues, stating that the UCC applies in this case.
Who will win, Van Houten or Evenwell? Why?
[Instructor: See How Sales and Lease Contracts Are Formed under the UCC in Chapter 21]