Piano Company v. . Kennedy

This action is brought to recover balance due on a contract for the sale of a piano. The defendants pleaded a counterclaim based upon an alleged breach of a contract of warranty, in writing as follows: "This is to certify that pianoforte style `S,' mahog. No. 29997, is hereby warranted for the term of five years from the date of its manufacture, and should the instrument with proper care and use prove defective in material or workmanship (the effects of extreme heat, cold or dampness excepted), we agree to put the same in good repair at our manufactory, or replace it with another of the same style, reserving to ourselves the right to elect which we will do. "

These issues were submitted:

1. What amount is due the plaintiff upon the contract price? Answer: $111.80.

2. What damage, if any, are the defendants entitled to recover against the plaintiff: Answer: $150.

3. What was the rental value of the piano? Answer: $1. 50 per month.

4. Is the plaintiff a corporation? Answer: Yes. From the judgment rendered, plaintiff appealed. Although there are twenty-three exceptions in the record, all relating to the second issue, it is apparent from the briefs that there is only one contention presented in the record which we need consider.

The ground upon which the plaintiff relies to defeat the defendant's counterclaim is, that under the terms of the warranty, before they can successfully claim damages for any breach thereof and as a condition precedent, it must appear that defendants have given the plaintiff notice of the alleged breach of warranty and defect in the instrument, and that the plaintiff has had a reasonable opportunity to comply with the terms of the warranty. It is contended that in such respect the defendants have failed to perform the stipulations of the contract upon their part. We have recognized the principle that there can be no implied warranty of quality in the sale of personal property where there is an express warranty, and that where a party sets up and relies upon a written warranty he is bound by its terms and must comply with them. 30 A. E., 199; Main v. Griffin, 141 N.C. 43. We recognize the further principle, applied by us in that case, that a failure by the purchaser to comply with the conditions of the warranty is fatal to a recovery for breach of the warranty in an action on it, or where, as in this case, damages for the breach are pleaded as a counterclaim in an action by (198) the seller for the purchase money.

There is evidence tending to prove that the piano was sold and delivered to defendants upon a sales contract dated 22 May, 1903, for $335; that defendants made monthly payments thereon up to 8 February, 1907, and that there is due the sum of $111.80. It is further in evidence that the defendants kept the piano and used it continuously for four years without notifying plaintiffs of any defect in it. It is insisted that such neglect constitutes a waiver upon the part of defendants of any rights under the warranty.

It has been said, as contended by defendants, that when one purchases goods under a warranty, they need not be returned to the warrantor as soon as the defect is found, unless the contract expressly stipulates to that effect. Biddle's Warranty, sec. 310. But, however this may be, it is immaterial now, for it is admitted in this case that complaint was made in 1907, and that on 25 March of that year the plaintiffs directed defendants to ship the piano at its expense to its factory in Michigan, which was done on 20 June. The plaintiffs elected under the terms of the warranty to repair the instrument, instead of replacing it with another.

On 11 July, 1907, defendants inquired by letter about the piano, and plaintiffs replied: "We are doing a good deal more on the instrument than is necessary, in order to put it in thorough order. We will return it as quickly as possible."

The repaired piano was shipped to defendants on 8 November, 1907, and duly received. At this stage of the case we think the defendants' counterclaim completely breaks down. On 5 December, 1907, defendants acknowledged receipt of piano, pronounced it all right and promised to send check in payment by Christmas. On 17 December, 1907, defendants wrote plaintiffs: "Since writing you of the arrival of our piano we have had opportunity of testing, and, so far as we know, it seems to be in very satisfactory condition. I write to inquire of you if, since the piano has been so thoroughly repaired, you will not extend the guarantee to five years from present time; also, will you not allow for the time you have had it in making the payments, which was five months? If you will do this I will send the check promise at once."

In reply plaintiffs refused to extend the time of warranty, claiming to have fully complied with its terms, and again demanded payment. On 3 January, 1908, the defendants again wrote plaintiffs, (199) asking indulgence and promising to pay. The correspondence is set out in the record and embraces ten other letters than those mentioned, dated at different times from 3 January to 28 September, 1908. In none of these letters is any complaint made as to the condition of the piano, or any notice given to plaintiffs that the repairs were not satisfactory. In all of them the defendants acknowledged their obligation and ask for indulgence, pleading hard times and bad crops.

On 23 September, 1908, after the period of warranty had expired, the plaintiffs, in reply to repeated requests for indulgence and promises to pay, wrote defendants that they had received no payment for a year, and that as much as $25 must be paid, and, if so, further time would be allowed for remaining payments.

Even then defendants made no complaint about the piano, but wrote plaintiffs on 28 September, in reply, as follows: "In reply to yours of the 23d inst., can only repeat, I am not able to pay anything at this time. You said you would turn claim over for collection if I failed to pay $25 by to-day. In fact, you have made such remarks in all your letters, and I have been begging, if you would call it begging, for further indulgence, and am bound to say have been indulgent and had hoped for further indulgence; but if you cannot grant it, and persist to collect by law, as I have said before, I will take care of myself the very best I can. I cannot afford to lose the amount I have paid. "

The genuineness of these letters is admitted, and there is no evidence in the record which contradicts their assertions.

On the contrary, it appears from the oral testimony of defendants that not only was no complaint whatever made to plaintiffs after the piano was repaired and returned, but that after this controversy arose, when plaintiff voluntarily sent an expert to defendant's residence to examine the piano to see if anything was wrong with it and to repair it, defendants, upon advice of counsel, would not let him examine it, or even enter the defendant's residence.

It is too plain for argument that, upon the written correspondence as well as the other evidence in the case, in any view of it, the defendants accepted the piano when repaired and returned to them as a full compliance with the terms of the written warranty, which expired 23 May, 1908, and that after that date, and after examination and acceptance, they made repeated promises to pay the balance due on the debt.

We are of opinion that in no view of the evidence are defendants entitled to recover upon their counterclaim and that the (200) court below erred in ruling otherwise.

It is plain that this sales contract is essentially a mortgage, and that the relation of mortgagor and mortgagee is created by it. Puffer v. Lucas,112 N.C. 379; Hamilton v. Highands, 144 N.C. 280; Hervey v. Locomotive Co.,93 U.S. 664.

It therefore follows that the plaintiff cannot recover a monthly rental for the piano, and that the provision in the contract providing that, in case of failure to pay in full for the instrument, all payments made may be retained by plaintiff for its use, is void. The plaintiff is of course entitled to interest, but not to rent.

The cause is remanded, with directions to enter judgment for the plaintiff upon finding on the first issue.

A decree of foreclosure will be entered requiring the defendant to pay the debt, interest and costs of action, and, if not paid, directing a sale of the piano to pay off the same, including all costs, and the residue, if any, to be paid to defendants. Puffer v. Lucas, supra.

The judgment of the Superior Court is

Reversed.

Cited: Mfg. Co. v. Lumber Co., 159 N.C. 511; Machine Co. v. McKay,161 N.C. 586; Oltman v. Williams, 167 N.C. 314; Guano Co. v. Live StockCo., 168 N.C. 447; Frick v. Boles, ib., 657.