Opinion ID: 1282691
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: market price differential

Text: [3] It is a general rule of appellate practice that the judgment of the trial court will not be reversed when it can be sustained on any theory, although different from that indicated in the decision of the trial judge. Cheney v. Mountlake Terrace, 87 Wn.2d 338, 552 P.2d 184 (1976). Although the jury verdict cannot be upheld under the resale method of determining damages, we find that the record supports the verdict under the alternate method of establishing damages, computed by measuring the difference between the market price and the contract price as provided in RCW 62A.2-708. This provision states: (1) Subject to subsection (2) and to the provisions of this Article with respect to proof of market price (RCW 62A.2-723), the measure of damages for non-acceptance or repudiation by the buyer is the difference between the market price at the time and place for tender and the unpaid contract price together with any incidental damages provided in this Article (RCW 62A.2-710), but less expenses saved in consequence of the buyer's breach. (2) If the measure of damages provided in subsection (1) is inadequate to put the seller in as good a position as performance would have done then the measure of damages is the profit (including reasonable overhead) which the seller would have made from full performance by the buyer, together with any incidental damages provided in this Article (RCW 62A.2-710), due allowance for costs reasonably incurred and due credit for payments or proceeds of resale. [4] It is fundamental under RCW 62A.2-703 and the sections that follow that an aggrieved seller is not required to elect between damages under RCW 62A.2-706 and 62A.2-708. RCW 62A.2-703 cumulatively sets forth the remedies available to a seller upon the buyer's breach. The pertinent commentary thereto indicates specifically that the remedies provided are cumulative and not exclusive and that as a fundamental policy Article 2 of the U.C.C. rejects any doctrine of election of remedy. [5] The seller has the burden of proof with respect to market price or market value. A seller cannot avail himself of the benefit of RCW 62A.2-708 when he has not presented evidence of market price or market value. However, the resale price of goods may be considered as appropriate evidence of the market value at the time of tender in determining damages pursuant to RCW 62A.2-708. See B&R Textile Corp. v. Paul Rothman Indus., 101 Misc.2d 98, 420 N.Y.S.2d 609 (N.Y. Civ. Ct. 1979); Dehahn v. Innes, 356 A.2d 711 (Me. 1976); Buchsteiner Prestige Corp. of Am. v. Abraham & Straus, 107 Misc.2d 327, 433 N.Y.S.2d 972 (N.Y. App. Term 1980); Klockner, Inc. v. Federal Wire Mill Corp., 663 F.2d 1370 (7th Cir.1981). While, admittedly, Sprague's resale came after the time for tender, it can still be utilized as a market price. See Klockner, Inc. v. Federal Wire Mill Corp., supra ; Buchsteiner Prestige Corp. of Am. v. Abraham & Straus, supra . RCW 62A.2-723(2) states: (2) If evidence of a price prevailing at the times or places described in this Article is not readily available the price prevailing within any reasonable time before or after the time described or at any other place which in commercial judgment or under usage of trade would serve as a reasonable substitute for the one described may be used, ... (Italics ours.) The court is granted a reasonable leeway (Official Comments, RCWA 62A.2-723) in measuring market price. During the trial of this action, not only was there testimony to the effect that in an effort to mitigate damages, respondent Sprague sold the Flip Blowdown logs to five purchasers at private sales in 1981 and 1982, there was also testimony that the market price remained at the same level as at the time and place of tender in late 1980. The net contractual damages of $52,280 ($197,204 contract price-$144,924 resale price) which was awarded respondent under the jury verdict thus equaled the measure of damages available under RCW 62A.2-708(1). We affirm this award.