Moneyweight Scale Co. v. David

146 N.W. 391, 180 Mich. 8, 1914 Mich. LEXIS 858
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedMarch 28, 1914
DocketDocket No. 113
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 146 N.W. 391 (Moneyweight Scale Co. v. David) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Moneyweight Scale Co. v. David, 146 N.W. 391, 180 Mich. 8, 1914 Mich. LEXIS 858 (Mich. 1914).

Opinion

McAlvay, C. J.

Plaintiff recovered judgment, against defendants upon a directed verdict in a suit brought on a promissory note executed by them for the amount due upon such note.. Plaintiff is engaged in selling certain computing scales to the trade upon written orders, by the terms of which the title to the [9]*9property remains in plaintiff until the purchase price is paid; the payment of the price, except the initial sum of $10, being deferred according to the terms of the promissory note printed upon the same blank which contains the contract order for the scales. The contract order is of considerable length. It was given November 8, 1910, by defendants for two computing scales of the capacity of two pounds each, to be shipped to them at Grand Rapids, Mich., for which they agreed to pay the sum of $70, $10 cash with the order, and the balance, $60, payable as evidenced by the note attached to the order, $5 each month, beginning March 1, 1911, and continuing to -February 1, 1912. The order provided, among other things, that, should there be any failure to promptly pay such note or any payment thereon when due, or if plaintiff should feel itself insecure, or if defendants should be sued and their property levied upon, then the whole unpaid balance of the purchase price should, at the option of plaintiff, without notice, become due and payable, and possession might be taken of the scales without legal process, unless an extension in writing was given, and previous payments should be considered as having been made for the use of the scales, during the time they remained in the custody of defendants. It was further agreed that title to the scales should not pass from plaintiff until paid for in full, and until such time the scales would remain the property of plaintiff; also that bringing any suit for the price of the scales would not operate to vest the title thereto in defendants, but such title should remain in plaintiff until any judgment recovered for such purchase price should be paid, and, in case of recovery, all costs and attorney fees should be paid by defendants. It was further agreed that the scales were to be held by defendants at their own risk pending the vesting of title in them, and no injury, loss, or destruction of said [10]*10scales, by any cause whatever, except plaintiff’s fault, should release defendants from their obligation to pay the purchase price therefor, and the contract was to remain in full force and effect as to any other' scale that might be sent in exchange for those originally delivered. It was agreed that the contract and order should not be countermanded, and covered all the agreements between the parties. Defendants certified that they had read the contract and acknowledged receipt of a duplicate. This contract was duly executed by defendants. The following is a note given at the time:

“$60.00. State, Mich. Town, Grand Rapids. Date, Nov. 8, 1910.
“For value received I (or we) promise to pay to the order of Moneyweight Seale Co., 47 State St., Chicago, Illinois, sixty dollars ($60.00) dollars, payable as follows:
Jan. 1, 1912, $5.00 July 1, 1911, $5.00
Feb. 1, 1912, $5.00 Aug. 1, 1911, $5.00
Mch. 1, 1911, $5.00 Sept. 1, 1911, $5.00
April 1, 1911, $5.00 Oct. 1, 1911, $5.00
May 1, 1911, $5.00 Nov. 1, 1911, $5.00
June 1, 1911, $5.00 Dec. 1, 1911, $5.00
“New York or Chicago Exchange.
[Sign here] “David & Hattem.’

There was printed under the signature a statement that “the above note draws interest at six per cent, per annum from date of shipment or delivery if delivered by salesman,” also if payments were promptly made interest would be waived, otherwise full interest would be charged, and, if the account was paid in 30 days, 5 per cent, discount would be allowed.

After the execution of the order and note, the scales were delivered to defendants at their place of business. A guaranty in writing, dated on the same date, was delivered to defendants by plaintiff’s agent, whereby it was guaranteed that these scales, Nos. 287,521 and 287,606—

[11]*11“Will weigh correctly any article capable of being weighed on it and should the scales get out of order at any time within two years from date of shipment with ordinary use (not dropped or broken) will repair the same gratis, the purchaser paying the freight or express charges to and from the factory.
“We further guarantee that all pound and ounce graduations within the capacity of this scale which carry corresponding computations are commercially correct, and we hereby guarantee to indemnify and protect the purchaser of this scale against loss resulting from possible suits by competing manufacturers charging infringement of patents.”

This case was begun in justice’s court May 23, 1911.

“Plaintiff declares orally on all the common counts in assumpsit specially on written contract, to plaintiff’s damage, $500. The defendants pleaded orally general issue and recoupment.”

From the time the writings were made and entered into, as stated, and the scales in question were delivered to defendants by plaintiff’s agent, defendants, who were engaged in business as partners, conducting a confectionery store in the city of Grand Rapids, used these scales in their business continuously up to January 1, 1911, when defendant David sold his interest in that business to his partner Hattem and a Mr. Malobey, who, as partners, continued the business and used the scales in question continuously up to February 20, 1911, when, upon inspection by the city sealer of weights, one of these scales was not passed by him, and the firm was ordered not to use it.

Concerning the foregoing facts in this case as stated, there is no dispute in the record. There was a disputed fact in the case between these parties concerning which the court in his charge to the jury said:

“It is claimed on the part of plaintiff that when they were notified that the scales were out of order they immediately sought to repair them, and that the de[12]*12fendants refused to permit a repair and insisted that the plaintiff take that pair of scales back.
“On the other hand, the defendants claim that they notified the plaintiff, and the plaintiff neglected to repair them and continued to neglect to repair them after the suit was brought. That is a question of fact which, if the case should be submitted to the jury, would be for the jury to determine, and it is practically the only question of fact in the case.”

Defendants have removed the case to this court upon writ of error for review. Defendants rely upon but two of the errors assigned, namely, that the court erred in taking the case from the jury and directing a verdict for plaintiff, and also that the court erred as to the amount of the verdict directed.

Defendants in their brief urge that there was a substituted contract or novation. This is based upon the claim made for the first time in this court by them that the guaranty was not given to defendants by plaintiff but was given to their successors, Hattem ,& Malobey, as appears from the copy of such guaranty printed in the record.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Florence v. Moors Concrete Products, Inc.
193 N.W.2d 72 (Michigan Court of Appeals, 1971)
Groenland v. Phœnix Sprinkler & Heating Co.
216 N.W. 431 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1927)
Stewart v. Smith
135 S.E. 801 (Supreme Court of South Carolina, 1926)
Fishell v. Fishell
172 N.W. 432 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1919)
Peuser v. Marsh
167 A.D. 604 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1915)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
146 N.W. 391, 180 Mich. 8, 1914 Mich. LEXIS 858, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/moneyweight-scale-co-v-david-mich-1914.