Opinion ID: 1989304
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alleged Defects in the Sheriff Sale Proceedings

Text: Braunstein next contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to set aside the sheriff sale and in refusing to issue a rule to show cause why the sale should not be set aside because the applicable notice provisions of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure were not followed. In fact, however, the applicable rules were followed. In the instant case, the writ of execution states that the sale was to be conducted on November 12, 1987. The record reveals that property claims were filed in early November of 1987, by Merrill Pendergast, Robert L. Braunstein, and Dennis Ticke. In early December of 1987, the Corporation filed an exception to the property claim of Merrill Pendergast. The writ of execution indicates that the sale was re-advertised on January 13, 1987, [2] to take place on January 27, 1988. On January 27, 1988, the Corporation requested that the sale be postponed for a week in order to contact more bidders. The Deputy Sheriff announced that the sale would take place on February 3, 1988. The sale occurred on that date and the personal property was sold for $2350.00. Notice of a sale is intended to advertise the sale and insure the presence of bidders. Pa.R.C.P. 3128, Notice of sale. Personal Property provides in pertinent part: (a) Notice of sale of personal property shall be given by the sheriff at least six (6) days prior to sale by handbills posted at the sheriff's office, the place of sale and the place of levy, if different from the place of sale.       (c) If the sale is stayed, or continued or adjourned generally, new notice shall be given as provided by Subdivisions (a) and (b). If the sale is continued or adjourned at the direction of the plaintiff to a date certain within thirty (30) days, the public announcement of the adjournment and new date is made to the bidders assembled at the time and place originally fixed for the sale, no new notice shall be required, but there may be only one such continuance or adjournment to a date certain without new notice.       Pa.R.C.P. 3128(a) and (c) (emphasis added). The burden of showing inadequate notice resulting in prejudice is upon the person who seeks to set aside the sale. Bornman v. Gordon, supra, 527 A.2d at 113. Absent evidence that the sale price was inadequate, a court will be reluctant to find prejudice sufficient to require another sale. Bornman v. Gordon, supra . Instantly, we find that the notations on the writ of execution reveal complete compliance with the notice requirements of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. The sale was initially delayed upon the filing of the property claims by third parties in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 3121. [3] The sale was rescheduled for January 27, 1988, and re-advertised on January 13, 1988, in compliance with Pa.R. C.P. 3128(a). The sale was stayed on January 27, 1988, at the Plaintiff/Corporation's request, until February 3, 1988. The Corporation alleges that the Deputy Sheriff announced the stay and a new sale date within thirty days before the assembled bidders at the time and place scheduled for the sale; and therefore, no re-advertisement was required according to Pa.R.C.P. 3128(c). Braunstein does not contest that a public announcement was made; nor has he produced any evidence to suggest the contrary. Consequently, we find Braunstein's unsubstantiated claim of procedural irregularity to be without merit.