Cooper v. Scott Co.

120 N.W. 631, 143 Iowa 744
Supreme Court of Iowa·Decided April 7, 1909·Published

Opinion

Deemer, J.

On September 12, 1904, defendant made a written proposition to plaintiff for installing a heating plant in her residence.' Among other things contained in this proposal were the following: “This heater, when properly set and connected to a good flue of proper size and of a sufficient height, not to be affected by adverse winds, will be capable of burning the soot out so clean that it will not clog up the fire surfaces so as to have [746] to be scraped or cleaned out, even when using common Iowa soft, unscreened coal. We guarantee the boiler and radiators of sufficient capacity to heat the above-described rooms to a comfortable degree of temperature in the coldest winter weather by the proper firing and handling of the plant. Upon notification from us that the work herein specified is complete it shall be promptly inspected and accepted or rejected, so that our man, while his tools are still on the premises, may, without delay, complete it or remedy any defect that may appear, after which you are to give said man a written receipt for the apparatus herein specified. If not inspected immediately on completion, the apparatus will be left in your charge, and our responsibility for it ceases. Failure to so promptly inspect and accept or reject said work shall be construed as an acceptance of said work and shall entitle us to payment according to contract. In case any part of this apparatus shall show defects of material within eight years, we agree, on delivery of such defective part to us at our factory, to give you a duplicate part instead without charge. The term ‘defect/ as above used, shall not be construed as embracing any imperfections as would naturally follow improper treatment, accident, or the wear or tear of use. We agree to furnish the heating apparatus herein specified for the sum of $250.52, payable at ottr office as follows: $83.51 on delivery of the heater and radiators; $83.51 in thirty days or not later than ninety days; balance within sixty days (mailing invoice by us to be sufficient- notice). The payment of each of the above sums at the time and at the place named is the basis of this entire proposal and is’ the essence of the contract between us.” This proposition was accepted by plaintiff on the 12th of September, 1904, and defendant almost immediately commenced work and completed the same on or about November 25, 1904. On or about the last-named date, plaintiff paid the contract price, to wit, $250.52. In her petition plaintiff alleges [747] that the apparatus was not of sufficient capacity to heat the rooms, that it was improperly constructed and installed, that 'the pipes were not of sufficient capacity, that they leaked, and that the plant as a whole was entirely worthless. She also pleaded that she discovered the defects on or about January 10, 1905, and that she thereupon demanded of defendant the return of the purchase price. She further averred that, if the plant had been properly installed, it would have been worth $450, and she claimed damages in the sum of $600. Defendant denied that there was any breach of the contract or of the warranties, alleged a full settlement and voluntary payment of the purchase price, averred that whatever defects there may be in the plant were due to plaintiff’s improper handling and firing of the plant, and that plaintiff failed to comply with any of the conditions of the contract on her part except to pay the purchase price. On these issues the jury "returned a verdict for plaintiff in the sum of $350, which, upon motion, for a new trial, was reduced to the sum of, $275, and defendant appeals. ■

The main contention for appellant is that the verdict is without support in the testimony and is contrary to the instructions given by the court.

Among other instructions given by the court were the following:

Inst. 3. This is an action for a breach of warranty, and you are instructed that the burden is upon the plaintiff to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that such warranty has been broken. The burden is upon the plaintiff to prove that the heating plant was properly fired and handled. If you find that the plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that the plant was properly fired and handled, and with such proper firing and handling that said plant would not heat the rooms to a comfortable degree of temperature as warranted, then your verdict will be for the plaintiff.
Inst. 4. It is admitted in the pleadings that plaintiff [748] paid for the heating plant. If you find from a preponderance of the evidence that, at the time of the payment by the plaintiff, the plaintiff had not had the opportunity to test said plant to ascertain whether the plant would heat as guaranteed, then you are instructed that the fact of payment would in no way affect plaintiff’s right to recovery on the guarantee.
Inst. 5. If you find for the plaintiff, then you will, turn to the matter of damages, and you are instructed that the damages plaintiff is entitled to recover will be the difference between the value of the heating plant as warranted and its value as it actually was. You are to arrive at your verdict solely by the evidence that has been offered and received 'upon the trial, being governed by the instructions of the court. You should permit nothing else to influence you.

1. Sales: breach of warranty damages. Claim is made that there was no evidence to support a verdict based upon the fifth instruction. In this counsel are in error. There was testimony showing that the plant, if it had been constructed as agreed, would have been worth $400 to $450, and , * that as it was it was worth from $150 to $175. ' One of the witnesses testified that the plant as constructed was worthless. The verdict was for $350, but this was reduced by the court to $275. The jury was not bound absolutely to the values fixed by the different witnesses, and of the verdict as reduced by the trial court defendant may not justly complain.

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Cooper v. Scott Co., 120 N.W. 631, 143 Iowa 744 (iowa 1909).

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