Sales Flashcards
What is bailment?
Transferring the possession of property, but not ownership
What is the difference between a sale and a gift?
Sales require consideration but not delivery, while gifts require delivery but not consideration
What counts as a good?
Anything movable at the time of the contract, including things connected to property which can be removed without harm
Besides immovable items, what does not count as a good?
Money to pay the purchase price
Investment securities
Intangible personal property (e.g. accounts receivable, commercial paper)
Is it possible to have a present sale of future goods?
No, any such agreements are treated as contracts to sell in the future
What are fungible goods?
Interchangeable commodities (e.g. crops)
How long are firm offers irrevocable?
If there is no stated time, for a reasonable time – but three months maximum
What is identification?
When the buyer acquires special property rights (including a right to have insurance on it) for the goods of a contract
If there is no explicit agreement, when does identification occur?
(1) If the goods exist and the contract refers to them, when the contract is written
(2) If the contract is for a sale of future goods besides crops or unborn animals, when the goods are designated for the buyer (e.g. shipped)
(3) If the contract is for a sale of future crops or unborn animals, when the crops are planted or the animals are conceived
What is cover?
The right of a buyer, in case of the seller’s breach, to purchase substitute goods
If a place of delivery is not named in a contract for the sale of goods, where is delivery presumed to go?
Where the seller does business, or (if he has no place of business) where the seller resides
But if the identified goods are known to be elsewhere, then that is the place of delivery
If there is no specified payment or credit in a contract for the sale of goods, when is payment presumed to be paid?
Payment is required when and where the buyer receives the goods
What occurs if the acceptance for a contract for the sale of goods includes additional terms?
The acceptance is still effective (i.e. it doesn’t count as a new offer) unless the acceptance is stated to be conditional upon the other party’s assent to the new terms
If an acceptance includes additional terms, when are such terms included within the contract?
They are automatically included unless:
(1) the offer explicitly restricts acceptance to the terms of the offer
(2) the new terms materially change the offer
(3) the other party objects to the new terms within a reasonable time
What occurs if a contract for a sale of goods is within the Statute of Frauds, but the written evidence incorrectly states a term?
The contract is still enforceable, but only with respect to the quantity of goods stated in the writing
What is the first of four reasons why a contract within the Statute of Frauds would still be enforceable if not in writing?
If the goods are unique for the buyer and the seller has substantially committed to producing them
What is the second of four reasons why a contract within the Statute of Frauds would still be enforceable if not in writing?
If the contract is partially complete, in which case the contract is enforceable only for the goods delivered or paid for
What is the third of four reasons why a contract within the Statute of Frauds would still be enforceable if not in writing?
If it is admitted in court that the contract was made
What is the last of four reasons why a contract within the Statute of Frauds would still be enforceable if not in writing?
If, between merchants, a merchant’s confirming letter is sent and understood – though the receiving party has ten days to object in writing
What is F.O.B.?
“Free on board” – specifies the responsibilities of buyer and seller in shipping and when the title to the goods changes hands
What are two kinds of F.O.B.?
F.O.B. shipment – goods transfer at place of shipment, so buyer is responsible for shipping
F.O.B. destination – goods transfer at destination, so seller is responsible for shipping
What is F.A.S.?
“Free alongside” – seller must deliver goods alongside a ship or dock, at which point the goods change hands
Buyer is thus responsible for loading and transporting
What is C.I.F.?
“Cost, insurance, and freight” – means that the lump sum paid by the buyer includes not merely the cost of the goods, but insurance and freight expenses
Seller is therefore responsible for paying the insurance and freight expenses from the lump sum
In a C.I.F. arrangement, when is the buyer obligated to pay the lump sum?
If the contract doesn’t specify, he must pay when the various documents proving the delivery (e.g. bill of lading) are given to him, even if he has not yet inspected the goods
What is C. & F.?
“Cost and freight” – same as C.I.F. but the lump sum does not pay for insurance
What is C.O.D.?
“Collect on delivery” – buyer must pay before carrier can transfer the goods
Unless the contract allows, the buyer is forbidden from inspecting the goods before payment
What is a conditional sale?
A contract where the buyer can return the goods even if they fulfill the contract
What are two types of conditional sales?
Sale on approval = sale is complete once the buyer approves the goods (through notice or through action); and approval of some goods counts as approval of all
Sale or return = buyer purchases goods to resell them, so the sale is complete but voidable
Who bears the risk of loss in different conditional sales contracts?
In sales on approval, seller bears it until the buyer approves the goods
In sale or return contracts, buyer bears it while he possesses the goods (and while he returns them)
How is a sale or return contract different from consignment?
In consignment, the seller still owns the inventory in the possession of the buyer, while in a sale or return contract, the buyer owns it but has the right to return it
This affects whether the buyer’s creditors can claim the inventory