Case ID: ad_129/html/0426-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Woodward, J.:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Wilhelm Vollmer, Respondent, v. The Hayes Machine Company, Appellant.
    Second Department,
    December 30, 1908.
    Contract — agreement to manufacture and deliver machine — recovery of earnest money.
    Where the defendant contracted to manufacture and deliver a special machine at an agreed price, payable on delivery, and failed to complete the machine or offer delivery, the plaintiff is entitled to recover earnest money paid, even though the defendant suspended the work because the plaintiff refused to pay an extra sum for changes which increased the cost of construction.
    Appeal by the defendant, The Hayes Machine Company, from a judgment of the Municipal Court of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in favor of the plaintiff, rendered on the 30th day of June, 1908.
    
      Jonathan Deyo, for the appellant.
    
      Joshua Haberman, for the respondent.
   Woodward, J.:

There is no dispute that the plaintiff went to the defendant and entered into a contract for the construction of a special machine at the agreed price of $200, the plaintiff submitting plans and a rough working model, and the defendant rendering a bill for the same for the agreed amount, and acknowledging in such bill the receipt of $100 on account. It is likewise not disputed that the defendant has not delivered the machine, but has refused to do so. The plaintiff brings this action to recover the amount of his payment, and the defendant counterclaims for $166.22, it being alleged that subsequent to the making of the contract the plaintiff ordered various changes in the work, which largely increased the cost; that the plaintiff was told these changes would increase the cost, and that when the defendant demanded the payment of more money, which plaintiff refused to pay, the work was suspended. There was a clear conflict of evidence, the plaintiff denying that he ordered any changes subsequent to the making of the contract, and the defendant producing a 'witness who testified to various changes. The defendant appeals from the judgment in favor of the plaintiff.

The defendant has never completed the machine and offered it for delivery, and it is doubtful if he would be entitled to recover anything for the work performed, assuming the changes to have been ordered, without fulfilling the contract as modified. There is no evidence of any modification of the contract as to the payments. The bill was rendered for $200, with a credit of $100 on account, which clearly implied the condition that the balance of the sum was to be paid upon the delivery of the machine. Ho delivery having been tendered, and the defendant refusing to deliver, it would have no basis for an action to recover on the counterclaim. There is no dispute that it has not made and delivered the machine which it contracted to make and deliver, and the plaintiff is, therefore, entitled to recover his advance payment.

The judgment appealed from should be affirmed, with costs.

Hooker, Gaynor, Rich and Miller, JJ., concurred.

Judgment of the Municipal Court, affirmed, with costs.