Opinion ID: 2224214
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: 579 Is the Vendor Entitled to a Judgment for the Value?

Text: The judgment in the case at bar awarded the conditional sales vendor either the recovery of the possession or, at its option, its value of $2,000. The appellant contends that Associates Discount Corporation elected to take only the possession of the car and therefore should not be entitled to a judgment in the alternative for the value. The main thrust of the appellant's position stems from the fact that in its amended complaint the prayer for relief asked only for possession and not for the value. This is claimed to have been an election because in its original complaint the prayer sought recovery of the property or $2,000 as the value thereof. Since the defendant filed a bond and retained the property pursuant to sec. 265.06, Stats., the plaintiff was entitled to the option of a judgment for the recovery of the possession of the property or for the value thereof. Sec. 270.59. We do not believe that the amendment of the ad damnum clause rose to the dignity of an election. On the declining influence of the ad damnum clause generally, see Note, 50 Marquette Law Review (1966), 167. The plaintiff offered proof as to value, and that evidence would have been wholly immaterial if the appellant were correct in its contention. There are numerous cases wherein it has been held that pleadings are to be considered as amended to conform to the evidence that was properly before the court. Apfelbacher v. State (1918), 167 Wis. 233, 167 N. W. 244; Mitchell v. Lyons (1916), 163 Wis. 399, 158 N. W. 70; Klaus v. Klaus (1916), 162 Wis. 549, 156 N. W. 963. The plaintiff was not obliged to exercise its option before judgment. Riess v. Delles (1878), 45 Wis. 662. On the record before this court it cannot fairly be said that the amendment of the ad damnum clause foreclosed the plaintiff from exercising the option which it possessed under sec. 270.59, Stats. By the Court. Judgment affirmed.