Sabia Landscape, Inc. v. Long, J. ( 2019 )


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  • J-A09023-19
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    SABIA LANDSCAPE, INC.                    :    IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :         PENNSYLVANIA
    :
    v.                          :
    :
    :
    JAMES LONG, INDIVIDUALLY AND             :
    D/B/A JIMMY'S TREE SERVICE AND           :
    D/B/A JIMMY'S TREE AND                   :    No. 852 EDA 2018
    LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS                    :
    :
    Appellant             :
    Appeal from the Judgment Entered April 11, 2018
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Civil Division at
    No(s): 3040 January Term, 2016
    BEFORE:     KUNSELMAN, J., MURRAY, J., and PELLEGRINI*, J.
    MEMORANDUM BY MURRAY, J.:                             FILED APRIL 29, 2019
    James Long (Long), individually and d/b/a Jimmy’s Tree Service and
    Jimmy’s Tree and Landscape Contractors (collectively, Appellant), appeals
    from the judgment entered in favor of Appellee Sabia Landscape, Inc. (Sabia).
    Upon review, we affirm.
    Sabia and Appellant are both in the landscaping and snow removal
    business.   This case arises from the parties’ multiple disputes over unpaid
    sums of money Sabia alleged Appellant owed to Sabia. On January 26, 2016,
    Sabia filed a complaint against Appellant in which it raised claims of breach of
    contract, unjust enrichment, and quantum meruit. Specifically, Sabia alleged
    that it had not received $59,427.50 from Appellant for the following:
       $25,000.00 on an oral contract for a personal loan to Appellant;
    ____________________________________
    * Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-A09023-19
       $9,000.00 on an oral contract for a loan so that Appellant could
    pay his backhoe repair bill;
       $6,750.00 as a finder’s fee for the 2013-2014 oral contract for
    removing snow from the Roosevelt Mall;
       $5,000.00 as a finder’s fee for the 2014-2015 oral contract for
    removing snow from the Roosevelt Mall; and
       $5,000.00 as a finder’s fee for the 2015-2016 oral contract for
    removing snow from the Roosevelt Mall.
       $8,677.50 for snow removal services completed by Sabia for
    Appellant at a Raymour & Flanigan shopping center.
    On February 22, 2017, this case proceeded to a hearing before an
    arbitration panel, which ruled in favor of Appellant. On March 17, 2017, Sabia
    appealed the arbitration decision to the court of common pleas. On October
    10 and 11, 2017, the trial court convened a bench trial; on January 8, 2018,
    the trial court entered “judgment” in favor of Sabia in the amount of
    $60,718.35.     The trial court concluded that valid oral contracts existed
    between the parties for the disputed amounts, and that Appellant had not fully
    resolved these debts with Sabia. In reaching the award of $60,718.35, the
    trial court subtracted $20,000.00 from Sabia’s original damages claim of
    $59,427.50 because Sabia admitted at trial that it had received $20,000.00
    from Appellant in a mix of various cash and check payments. Thus, the trial
    court awarded Sabia $39,427.50 plus three years of interest (per the terms
    of the contracts), for a total award of $60,718.35.
    On January 17, 2018, Appellant filed timely post-trial motions, which
    the trial court denied on February 9, 2018. On February 27, 2018, Appellant
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    filed a notice of appeal from the order denying its post-trial motions. Both
    Appellant and the trial court have complied with Pennsylvania Rule of
    Appellate Procedure 1925.
    On April 10, 2018, this Court issued an order directing Appellant to
    praecipe the trial court to enter judgment, as the trial court’s entry of
    “judgment” on January 8, 2018, prior to the filing of post-trial motions, was
    premature and consequently, null and void. Generally, an appeal will not lie
    from a trial court’s denial of post-trial motions when the underlying verdict
    has not been reduced to judgment. See Shonberger v. Oswell, 
    530 A.2d 112
    , 113 n.1 (Pa. Super. 1987) (where a trial court enters judgment prior to
    disposition of timely filed post-trial motions, the judgment is premature and
    void.). On April 11, 2018, the trial court entered judgment.
    On appeal, Appellant presents the following issues for review:
    1.    “Interpreting the terms of a contract is a question of law,
    thus implicating a de novo standard of review and a plenary
    scope of review.” Commonwealth v. UPMC, 
    188 A.3d 1122
    ,
    1132 (Pa. 2018). This de novo standard of review and plenary
    scope of review also applies to claims for quantum meruit and
    unjust enrichment. See Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek &
    Eck, P.L.L.C., 
    179 A.3d 1093
    , 1098 (Pa. 2016).
    The “de novo standard of review permits the court to determine
    the case anew, including matters pertaining to testimony and
    other evidence.” Bowling v. Office of Open Records, 753 A.3d,
    n.15 (Pa. 2013). The plenary scope of review allows this Court
    to “review the entire record in making its decision” Kripp v.
    Kripp, 
    849 A.2d 1159
    , n.5 (Pa. 2004); and it “need not defer to
    the conclusions of the trial court and [is] free to draw [its]
    own inferences.” Abbott v. Schnader, [] 
    805 A.2d 547
    , 553
    [(Pa. Super. 2002).]
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    Did the [t]rial [c]ourt err in arguing that its findings on contract
    interpretation, quantum meruit, and unjust enrichment were
    entitled to an “abuse of discretion” standard of review and not
    subject to plenary review?
    2.     [Sabia] asserted 6 separate claims (plus interest) against
    [Appellant]. At trial, however, [Sabia] admitted under cross-
    examination that it had in fact been paid for 3 of the 6 claims,
    which themselves totaled $20,800. [Sabia] was thus judicially
    estopped from continuing to seek repayment of these 3 claims
    totaling $20,800. The [t]rial [c]ourt however awarded [Sabia] the
    full $20,800 on these 3 claims that Appellee admitted prior
    payment.
    Therefore, was the [t]rial [c]ourt’s award of $20,800 on the 3
    claims where [Sabia] had admitted, in court and under oath, that
    it had already been paid years earlier a clear error of law and/or
    abuse of discretion?
    3.     The parties executed 3 separate written contracts for each
    of the 3 snow-seasons they partnered together on for the
    Roosevelt Mall (Year 1 – 2012-2013; Year 2 – 2013-2014; and
    Year 3 – 2014-2015). Therefore, the parties’ written contracts
    control as to all terms and obligations identified in and arising from
    their respective contracts.
    Therefore, did the [t]rial [c]ourt error in disregarding the parties’
    3 separate written contracts, and instead “finding” an oral contract
    whose terms were diametrically opposed to the parties’ written
    contracts and intentions?
    4.    Under Pennsylvania law, an oral contract will not be
    recognized without evidence of a prior “extensive course of
    dealing” or “longstanding business relationship” between the
    parties.
    Here, the parties had no prior business relationship before the
    2012-2015 time at issue except for one snow plow job at one
    shopping center 16 years prior during the “Blizzard of 1996.”
    Therefore did the Trial Court commit clear error of law and/or
    abuse of discretion in finding “an extensive course of dealing
    between the parties” to support an oral multi-year contract as to
    all disputed terms in 2012-2015?
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    5.    During the parties’ Year 2 Contract (2013-2014), [Sabia]
    accepted [Appellant]’s offer to “flip” (i.e., assign) a $6,000 “Flat
    Fee” season snow-removal contract for a Raymour & Flan[i]gan
    furniture location one mile from [Sabia’s] home. Under the terms
    of a “Flat-Fee” snow removal contract, the snowplow contractor
    agrees to provide all snow plow services for the negotiated “Flat
    Fee,” as opposed to an hourly “time and materials” contract.
    Prior to initiating suit, [Sabia] never denied the Raymour &
    Flan[i]gan contract it accepted was a “Flat Fee” contract. [Sabia]
    also admitted that it had no contemporaneous letters, emails,
    texts, memos, delinquent payment notices, or other documents
    memorializing its belief that it was an “hourly/time and materials”
    contract and not a “Flat Fee” agreement.
    In addition, [Sabia] admitted that it never made any pre-suit claim
    to [Appellant] for additional “hourly/time and materials” when the
    parties were “settling up” and finalizing their negotiations for their
    10/17/2014 Year 3 Contract.
    Thus, did the [t]rial [c]ourt err in finding an “oral contract” that
    required [Appellant] to pay [Sabia] on an “hourly/time and
    material basis” for the Raymour & Flan[i]gan “Flat Fee” contract?
    6.     [Appellant] received an $18,000 loan from [Sabia] which
    required repayment in 9 equal monthly installments (Feb.-Oct.
    2014) of $2,500 each ($2,000 in repayment of principal and $500
    for interest). [Appellant] made all the required payments with the
    final payment made on October 5, 2014. [Sabia] now claims the
    loan was for $25,000 and remains unpaid.
    [Sabia] however never raised this claim during the parties’ heated
    negotiations leading up to execution of their 3rd and final . . .
    contract signed on October 17, 2014 (12 days after [Appellant]
    made its 9th and final payment on the loan). In fact, [Sabia]
    never raised this claim for over 15 months after the parties’ final
    contract of 10/17/2014, raising it for the first time in its January
    26, 2016 Complaint here.
    Having failed to raise this claim during the heated negotiations
    leading to the parties’ final contract of 10/17/14, [Sabia]’s claim
    is barred by the doctrines of Accord & Satisfaction, Full and Final
    Payment, Full Performance and/or Substantial Performance,
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    J-A09023-19
    Release, and Failure of Consideration. Therefore, did the [t]rial
    [c]ourt’s award of $25,000 and interest on the purportedly unpaid
    loan constitute a clear error of law and abuse of discretion
    requiring JNOV and/or a New Trial on all issues.
    7.    [Appellant] entered into three written contracts with [Sabia]
    for each of the 3 snow seasons in question at the Roosevelt Mall:
    2012 – 2013; 2013 – 2014; and 2014 – 2015. None of the parties’
    written agreements provided for a “Finder’s Fee” in perpetuity for
    the Roosevelt Mall contract, or included a “Non-Compete”
    provision that disallowed [Appellant] from competing on the
    contract in the future. Thus, did the [t]rial [c]ourt err in finding
    that [Appellant] was bound by an “oral contract” to pay a “Finder’s
    Fee” in perpetuity on the Roosevelt Mall contract, including a
    $5,000 Finder’s Fee for the 2015 – 2016 snow season?
    Appellant’s Brief at 6-10 (emphasis in original).
    The trial court correctly observed that Appellant “has essentially
    overcomplicated what is a very straightforward analysis.” Trial Court Opinion,
    7/31/18, at 13. We further note that our rules of appellate procedure caution
    against Appellant’s chosen strategy for its statement of the questions
    involved.   See Pa.R.A.P. 2116(a) (note) (“Although the page limit on the
    statement of questions involved was eliminated in 2013, verbosity continues
    to be discouraged. The appellate courts strongly disfavor a statement that is
    not concise.”).
    To begin, we recognize our standard of review:
    Our appellate role in cases arising from non-jury trial verdicts is
    to determine whether the findings of the trial court are supported
    by competent evidence and whether the trial court committed
    error in any application of the law. The findings of the trial judge
    in a non-jury case must be given the same weight and effect on
    appeal as the verdict of a jury, and the findings will not be
    disturbed on appeal unless predicated upon errors of law or
    unsupported by competent evidence in the record. Furthermore,
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    our standard of review demands that we consider the evidence in
    a light most favorable to the verdict winner.
    Levitt v. Patrick, 
    976 A.2d 581
    , 588-89 (Pa. Super. 2009).             “[W]e will
    reverse a trial court’s denial of a motion for JNOV or a new trial only if we find
    an abuse of discretion or an error of law that controlled the outcome of the
    case.” Walnut St. Assocs., Inc. v. Brokerage Concepts, Inc., 
    982 A.2d 94
    , 97 (Pa. Super. 2009).     Additionally, we recognize that with respect to
    claims involving contract interpretation:
    Because contract interpretation is a question of law, this Court is
    not bound by the trial court’s interpretation. Our standard of
    review over questions of law is de novo and to the extent
    necessary, the scope of our review is plenary as the appellate
    court may review the entire record in making its decision.
    However, we are bound by the trial court’s credibility
    determinations.
    Gillard v. Martin, 
    13 A.3d 482
    , 487 (Pa. Super. 2010).
    Appellant first argues that we must apply a de novo standard of review
    to issues relating to contract interpretation.    As stated above, this is the
    established standard of review in such matters. See 
    id. Consequently, this
    issue does not warrant further discussion.
    Second, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in awarding Sabia
    approximately $20,000.00 which Sabia admitted to receiving.          As the trial
    court plainly indicated, Sabia admitted to having received from Appellant
    $20,000.00 in various payments for debts owed. See Trial Court Opinion,
    7/31/18, at 8; see also N.T., 10/10/17, at 40-41, 124-27.            Thus, Sabia
    reduced its damages request by $20,000.00 from $59,427.50 to $39,427.50,
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    which is exactly what the trial court awarded to Sabia, plus interest. To the
    extent Appellant now argues that the trial court did not account for this
    $20,000.00, the assertion is perplexing and completely belied by the record.
    Accordingly, Appellant’s second issue is meritless. See Walnut St. 
    Assocs., 982 A.2d at 97
    .
    In its third issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in
    disregarding the parties’ three separate written contracts for the three snow
    seasons they partnered together for snow removal at the Roosevelt Mall.
    Appellant maintains the trial court improperly relied on alleged oral contracts
    that conflicted with the terms of written contracts.     In its related claim,
    presented in its fourth issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in
    finding an extensive course of dealing between the parties to support an oral,
    multi-year contract as to all disputed terms relating to the Roosevelt Mall
    contracts.
    Appellant has waived its third and fourth issues. Appellant did not raise
    its third and fourth issues in its Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure
    1925(b) statement.      See Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal,
    3/23/18. It is well-settled that “[i]ssues not included in the Statement and/or
    not raised in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (b)(4) are
    waived.”     Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(vii).   This Court recently summarized the
    prevailing law:
    Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) provides that a judge entering an order giving
    rise to a notice of appeal “may enter an order directing the
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    J-A09023-19
    appellant to file of record in the trial court and serve on the judge
    a concise statement of the errors complained of on appeal
    (‘Statement’).” Rule 1925 also states that “[i]ssues not included
    in the Statement and/or not raised in accordance with the
    provisions of this paragraph (b)(4) are waived.”            Pa.R.A.P.
    1925(b)(4)(vii). In Commonwealth v. Lord, [] 
    719 A.2d 306
          ([Pa.] 1998), our Supreme Court held that “from this date
    forward, in order to preserve their claims for appellate review,
    [a]ppellants must comply whenever the trial court orders them to
    file a Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal pursuant to
    Rule 1925. Any issues not raised in a 1925(b) statement will be
    deemed waived.”          
    Lord, 719 A.2d at 309
    ; see also
    Commonwealth v. Castillo, [] 
    888 A.2d 775
    , 780 ([Pa.] 2005)
    (stating any issues not raised in a Rule 1925(b) statement are
    deemed waived). This Court has held that “[o]ur Supreme Court
    intended the holding in Lord to operate as a bright-line rule, such
    that ‘failure to comply with the minimal requirements of Pa.R.A.P.
    1925(b) will result in automatic waiver of the issues raised.’”
    Greater Erie Indus. Dev. Corp. v. Presque Isle Downs, Inc.,
    
    88 A.3d 222
    , 224 (Pa. Super. 2014) (en banc) (emphasis in
    original) (quoting Commonwealth v. Schofield, [] 
    888 A.2d 771
    , 774 ([Pa.] 2005).
    “[I]n determining whether an appellant has waived issues on
    appeal based on non-compliance with Pa.R.A.P. 1925, it is the trial
    court’s order that triggers an appellant’s obligation ... therefore,
    we look first to the language of that order.” In re Estate of
    Boyle, 
    77 A.3d 674
    , 676 (Pa. Super. 2013).
    U.S. Bank, N.A. for Certificateholders of LXS 2007-7N Tr. Fund v. Hua,
    
    193 A.3d 994
    , 996–97 (Pa. Super. 2018).
    Here, the trial court ordered Appellant to file a Rule 1925(b) statement
    on March 12, 2018 and Appellant did so on March 23, 2018.             Appellant,
    however, did not include its third and fourth issues in its Rule 1925(b)
    statement, and consequently, the trial court did not address the issues in its
    Rule 1925(a) opinion. Accordingly, Appellant has failed to preserve its third
    and fourth issues for our review.
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    In its fifth issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in concluding
    that the parties had a contract for Sabia to perform snow removal at a
    Raymour & Flanigan shopping center on behalf of Appellant, at an hourly rate.
    Appellant maintains that the parties had agreed for Sabia to perform the work
    for Appellant for a flat fee of $6,000.00.
    “It is well settled that in the case of a disputed oral contract, what was
    said and done by the parties as well as what was intended by what was said
    and done by them are questions of fact for the [fact finder].” United Envtl.
    Grp., Inc. v. GKK McKnight, LP, 
    176 A.3d 946
    , 963 (Pa. Super. 2017)
    (quoting Solomon v. Luria, 
    246 A.2d 435
    , 438 (Pa. Super. 1968)).              This
    Court has explained:
    [T]he question of whether an undisputed set of facts establishes
    a contract is a matter of law. It is also well settled that in order
    for an enforceable agreement to exist, there must be a “meeting
    of the minds,” whereby both parties mutually assent to the same
    thing, as evidenced by an offer and its acceptance. It is equally
    well established that an offer may be accepted by conduct and
    what the parties do pursuant to the offer is germane to show
    whether the offer is accepted. In cases involving contracts wholly
    or partially composed of oral communications, the precise content
    of which are not of record, courts must look to the surrounding
    circumstances and course of dealing between the parties in order
    to ascertain their intent. We must, therefore, look to the parties’
    course of conduct to ascertain the presence of a contract.
    
    Id. (quoting Prieto
    Corp. v. Gambone Const. Co., 
    100 A.3d 602
    , 609 (Pa.
    Super. 2014)).
    The trial court summarized the parties’ arguments relating to the
    Raymour & Flanigan snow removal as follows:
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    [Sabia] alleged that [it] negotiated an oral contract with
    [Appellant] involving snow removal services at the Raymour and
    Flanigan shopping center. [Long, Appellant’s owner,] testified
    that he received the Raymour and Flanigan contract as a seasonal
    contract (flat fee) for $6,000 and that he offered it to [Sabia].
    N.T., 10/10/17, at] 40. [Appellant] claimed that [Sabia] agreed
    to cover the contract for $6,000, but [Sabia’s owner] testified that
    he agreed to cover the contract at a reduced hourly rate. N.T.[,
    10/11/17, at] 41; N.T.[, 10/10/17, at] 63. [Sabia]’s calculation
    of the hourly rate for the Raymour and Flanigan contract [resulted
    in a] total balance owed by [Appellant] of $8,677.50. [Sabia]
    claims that [Appellant] never paid [it] for this work.
    Trial Court Opinion, 7/31/18, at 7.
    In rejecting Appellant’s claim that there was a flat fee agreement for
    snow removal at the Raymour & Flanigan shopping center, the trial court
    explained:
    [Sabia’s owner] testified that [Long] asked him to help plow
    Raymour and Flanigan’s parking lot, which also contains a Trader
    Joe’s and a liquor store. N.T.[, 10/10/17, at] 34-48, 43. [Sabia]
    agreed to do it by the hour for [Appellant] at a reduced rate. [Id.
    at] 63-64. [Long] asked [Sabia] to do it because he did not have
    the time to do it himself. N.T.[, 10/10/17, at] 163. [Sabia]
    produced invoices from the work that [it had] mailed to
    [Appellant]’s address.     N.T.[, 10/10/17, at] 48-49.       [Long]
    testified that he was paid all of the money from this job, under his
    contract with the contractor for that property. [] N.T.[,10/11/17,
    at] 46.
    Thus, based on this testimony, this Court found that [Sabia]
    performed the work for [Appellant]. It’s reasonable that [Sabia]
    would seek compensation for this work. [Appellant’s owner]
    testified that he kept the money from the job himself. It is highly
    unlikely that [Sabia] would have offered to do this work for free,
    which is supported by the existence of [Sabia]’s invoices. [Sabia]
    provided sufficient evidence to show the existence of an oral
    contract here.
    
    Id. at 16-17.
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    J-A09023-19
    Upon review, we find that the trial court did not err in concluding that
    Sabia and Appellant had an oral contract for Sabia to remove snow from the
    Raymour & Flanigan shopping center at an hourly rate, as opposed to a flat
    fee. See GKK 
    McKnight, 176 A.3d at 963
    . Appellant’s claim amounts to
    nothing more than a challenge to the trial court’s credibility determination
    relating to the evidence presented by the parties about whether the Raymour
    & Flanigan oral contract provided for an hourly rate or flat fee. Pertinently,
    Appellant has not cited any testimony or other evidence indicating that the
    Raymour & Flanigan contract was a flat flee agreement. The trial court, sitting
    as the factfinder, resolved questions of credibility in favor of Sabia, who
    presented   evidence    reflecting   that   the   contract   contemplated     that
    compensation would be paid at an hourly rate; we are bound by this
    determination. See 
    id. Accordingly, Appellant’s
    fifth issue lacks merit.
    In its sixth issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in concluding
    that Sabia loaned Appellant $25,000.00, and that Appellant has never satisfied
    this debt. Appellant asserts that Sabia only loaned it $18,000, and Appellant
    had repaid the loan.
    In rejecting this claim, the trial court explained:
    At trial, [Appellant] did not dispute the fact that [it] asked
    [Sabia] for a loan. [Sabia] lent the money, in cash. However,
    there was a dispute about the amount of money [Sabia] loaned to
    [Appellant]. [Long] testified that he requested the loan from
    [Sabia], but that he only borrowed $18,000. N.T.[, 10/11/17, at]
    28. [Sabia] alleged that [Appellant] borrowed $25,000 with
    interest. N.T., 10/10/17, at 24-26. This court found that [the
    testimony of Sabia’s owner] about the amount of the loan was
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    J-A09023-19
    credible and that [Long’s testimony] was not credible. Both
    parties discussed terms of repayment. [Appellant] promised to
    pay the loan back at 2% interest per month or 24% per year. [Id.
    at] 25-26. [Sabia] supported [its claim] about the loan amount
    with testimony from [its] company controller Sal Barilia. Mr.
    Barilia confirmed that he was notified about the $25,000 loan and
    kept track of the payments made by [Appellant]. [Id. at 161-63].
    Mr. Barilia stated that it wasn’t uncommon for [Sabia’s owner] to
    lend money from his business to others. 
    Id. [Appellant]’s company
    controller Jennifer Long couldn’t provide any insight into
    the loan amount from his perspective. She admitted that she
    wouldn’t have known whether the loan was for $25,000 or
    $18,000. N.T.[, 10/11/17, at] 159-60.
    Thus, based on the evidence, this [c]ourt found that [Sabia]
    presented sufficient evidence to show that [it] lent [Appellant]
    $25,000 and that Appellant has not paid it back.
    Trial Court Opinion, 7/31/18, at 15.
    Upon review, we find no basis to disturb the trial court’s determination
    that Sabia loaned Appellant $25,000.00 and Appellant did not satisfy this debt.
    The testimony of Mr. Sabia revealed that he loaned Appellant $25,000.00.
    N.T., 10/10/17, at 24-26.       Mr. Barilia’s testimony corroborated the loan
    amount of $25,000 and confirmed that Sabia had not received money in
    satisfaction of the debt.    
    Id. at 161-63.
        Once again, Appellant’s claim is
    nothing more than a challenge to the credibility determination made by the
    trial court regarding the loan amount and whether Appellant satisfied the debt.
    Appellant asks this Court to reweigh the evidence in its favor. However, the
    trial court, sitting as factfinder, resolved these questions of credibility in favor
    of Sabia, who presented evidence of an oral contract for a $25,000.00 loan,
    and of Appellant’s failure to repay that loan. We are bound by the trial court’s
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    J-A09023-19
    findings.   See GKK 
    McKnight, 176 A.3d at 963
    .         Accordingly, Appellant’s
    sixth issue is meritless.
    Finally, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in concluding that the
    parties’ contract relating to snow removal at the Roosevelt Mall included a
    “Finder’s Fee in perpetuity” and a “Non-Compete provision that disallowed
    [Appellant] from competing on the contract in the future.” Appellant’s Brief
    at 61-62. Appellant has waived this issue.
    “The argument portion of a brief must include pertinent discussion of
    the point raised as well as citations to relevant authority.” Iron Age Corp.
    v. Dvorak, 
    880 A.2d 657
    , 665 (Pa. Super. 2005); Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(b). The
    “[f]ailure to develop an argument results in waiver of the claim.” Plastipak
    Packaging, Inc. v. DePasquale, 
    937 A.2d 1106
    , 1112 (Pa. Super. 2007).
    “This Court will not develop arguments on the behalf of an appellant or comb
    the record for factual underpinnings to support an appellant’s position.”
    Keller v. Mey, 
    67 A.3d 1
    , 7 (Pa. Super. 2013).
    In its discussion of the final issue, which is comprised of a mere 12 lines
    of text, Appellant cites no authority and only vaguely describes a cognizable
    issue for our review.       Appellant’s argument is severely underdeveloped,
    tersely worded, and in no way explains how the trial court erred with respect
    to the issue Appellant has attempted to raise. In sum, Appellant provides no
    basis upon which this Court could grant relief. Given these deficiencies, we
    find waiver. See J.J. DeLuca Co., Inc. v. Toll Naval Associates, 56 A.3d
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    J-A09023-19
    402, 411 (Pa. Super. 2012) (holding that issue on appeal is waived where
    appellant fails to develop argument of trial court error).
    Judgment affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 4/29/19
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