Herrick v. Robinson

595 S.W.2d 637, 267 Ark. 576, 29 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 549, 1980 Ark. LEXIS 1747
CourtSupreme Court of Arkansas
DecidedMarch 31, 1980
Docket79-272
StatusPublished
Cited by30 cases

This text of 595 S.W.2d 637 (Herrick v. Robinson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Herrick v. Robinson, 595 S.W.2d 637, 267 Ark. 576, 29 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 549, 1980 Ark. LEXIS 1747 (Ark. 1980).

Opinion

John A. Fogleman, Chief Justice.

Appellee Donald G. Robinson brought this action against appellant Carl Herrick and Herrick’s son and daughter-in-law, David and Beverly, seeking to recover $9,200, as the balance he alleged to be due him on the purchase price for the inventory and business name of Park Hill Custom Framing and Molding Company, which he had operated in North Little Rock. Appellant and the other defendants defended on the ground that their agreement to purchase was tentative and conditional, and that they had been induced to enter into the agreement by material misrepresentations and concealment of facts by Robinson. They alleged that they had rescinded the contract. Carl Herrick also counterclaimed seeking to recover the amounts he had paid to Robinson on the purchase price, and money he had put into the business operation, the dismissal of Robinson’s complaint and “all other equitable relief.” The allegations pertaining to the fraudulent representations were that Robinson had falsely represented that the business was in good financial condition, that not much was owed on it and the business obligations could and would easily be taken care of from the net proceeds of a pending sale of his home, that the average gross monthly income of the business was $3,500 to $4,000, that the stock and equipment were in good condition and saleable, that large orders could be expected, and that all accounts receivable were good. Appellant alleged that his defenses were equitable and that the case should be transferred to equity. The counterclaim contained allegations that, as an inducement to the Herricks to purchase the business, its assets, good will and trade name, Robinson misrepresented and exaggerated the amount and condition of the assets, sales volume, earning ability and financial condition of the business and concealed the actual condition of the business as to accounts payable, lienable obligations and certain accounts receivable. Appellant alleged that these misrepresentations and concealments were made with the intent that they be relied upon by the Herricks, and that they did so, to their detriment and damage. Appellant again alleged that he had no full, plain, adequate and complete remedy at law and that, his remedies being equitable, the case should be transferred to equity. Appellee denied appellant’s right to rescission and pleaded estoppel and laches as defenses to the counterclaim.

After having denied appellant’s motion to transfer the case to equity on September 25, 1978, the case was tried to the court without a jury and the circuit judge, after hearing the evidence, rendered a written opinion on December 7, 1978. In it he made many findings of fact, among which the following are significant on this appeal:

The Herricks and Robinson met on a Sunday afternoon at the place of business involved, discussed a purchase price of $35,000, and agreed upon a negotiated price of $25,000 and the purchaser, through David and Beverly Herrick, took possession on the following day, Monday, November 2, 1976.
Carl Herrick notified Robinson that the transaction was being terminated by a letter dated March 14, 1977.
The amount of the balance for which Robinson sued was arrived at by giving the Herricks credit for $3,500 Carl Herrick paid him and $12,452.69, as the net proceeds from the sale of the assets of the business at an auction.
In spite of alleged misrepresentations, the Herricks took an inventory and any shortcomings were readily available to the defendants.
Any and all liens, even if not disclosed to the defendants before the purchase, were known to appellant before the defendants quit the business and were in fact satisfied in either December, 1976 or January, 1977, and, as additional security to purchaser, Robinson caused a receiver to be appointed, whose duty it was to receive the balance of $21,500 on the purchase price from the defendants and immediately satisfy claims of creditors which would affect the business.
Appellant became discouraged and even frustrated, because of the inability of David and Beverly to settle differences with Robinson on such matters as the amount of the purchase price, and because of the belated feeling that the family business venture was not so good and a costly mistake had been made.
The case could have very easily been transferred to chancery court, but appellant’s motion to transfer was denied without objection, once it was agreed trial would be without a jury, the attorneys for both parties realizing that some equitable principles would necessarily be applied.
There was justification for allowing appellant an additional credit of $2,000 for bills paid, accounts receivable and personal property not in working order. After allowing this credit, Robinson was entitled to judgment for $7,113, but no interest, because the parties failed to fix a day certain for payment of the balance of the purchase price.

Before judgment was entered, appellant filed a motion for a new trial, on the ground that the judgment was not sustained by sufficient evidence and was contrary to the law and the evidence. Appellant pointed out the following examples:

1. The finding that any and all liens were satisfied by January, 1977, was erroneous because a valid lien of Twin City Bank, based upon a security agreement covering all the assets sold, was not satisfied until a balance of $ 10,500 was paid from the proceeds of an auction sale in a chancery court receivership held on August 10, 1977, after the Herricks had surrendered possession of the business.
2. Tax liens, especially one in favor of the federal internal revenue service, were still unpaid at the time of the trial and appellant did not know of the internal revenue service lien until long after the down payment on the purchase price was made and possession of the business taken.
3. The $21,500 balance on the purchase price would not have been sufficient to satisfy all business debts and liens.

Appellant also stated that both the above liens constituted a breach of the seller’s warranty under Ark. Stat. Ann. § 85-2-312 (Add. 1961) and constituted a ground for cancellation of the contract.

The judgment entered contained additional findings of fact. Among them were these:

1. The contract was between Robinson and appellant Carl Herrick and, in certain respects, David and Beverly acted in behalf of Carl.
2. The balance of the purchase price, remaining after down payments totalling $3,500 were made, was to be paid within a reasonable time.
3. By the terms of the contract, Robinson was not only to deliver the inventory and business premises, but also to assure the purchaser of clear title, in connection with which he was to compile a list of creditors of the business, and the purchaser was to make a complete inventory of the business.
4.

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Bluebook (online)
595 S.W.2d 637, 267 Ark. 576, 29 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 549, 1980 Ark. LEXIS 1747, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/herrick-v-robinson-ark-1980.