Opinion ID: 1093839
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: was there an adequate tender?

Text: Upon disaffirmance of a minor's contract, he is required to return the consideration received by him if he still has such consideration in his possession, or if it is within his powers to do so. Bell v. Smith, supra ; Lake v. Perry, 95 Miss. 550, 566-71, 49 So. 569, 571-73 (1909); Brantley v. Wolf, 60 Miss. 420, 433-34 (1882); 42 Am.Jur.2d Infants, § 97 at 95; 43 C.J.S. Infants, § 175 at 468. This requirement can be complied with not only by an actual return of the consideration but also by a tender or offer to return it. Bell v. Smith, supra, 155 Miss. at 234-35, 124 So. at 332; 42 Am.Jur.2d Infants, § 99 at 97. From the time Kevin disaffirmed the contract in November, 1981, until suit was filed, Star Chevrolet refused to fully refund the purchase price unless the Camaro's blown head gasket was repaired. This position was erroneous as a matter of law. We held in Johnson Motors v. Coleman, supra , that depreciation, finance charges, insurance charges, etc. during the period the minor used the automobile were not recoverable by the dealer. 232 So.2d at 721. Likewise, Kevin's duty to tender the vehicle was not contingent upon its restoration to the condition at the time of sale. Strict tender by Kevin was not necessary under these circumstances where the party to whom performance is due refuses to perform on his part, or imposes a request which he has no right to make. Lauchly v. Shurley, 217 Miss. 728, 732, 64 So.2d 898 (1953); V. Griffith Chancery Practice 2d § 523 at 537 (1950); 42 Am.Jur.2d Infants § 99 at 97. We refuse to hold that Kevin's tender was inadequate because he failed to engage a wrecker to transport the vehicle to Wiggins, when it appears that to do so would have been a vain or useless thing, since he would not have received the full refund to which he was entitled under law. Accordingly, we hold that the complaint for rescission, including the first letter of disaffirmance, sufficiently alleged an offer of tender.