Business Law and the Regulation of Business 11th Edition by Richard Mann, Barry Roberts

Exercise 22

Lee Oldsmobile sells Rolls-Royce automobiles. Mrs. Kaiden sent Lee a $25,000 deposit on a 2003 Rolls-Royce with a purchase price of $145,500. Although Lee informed Mrs. Kaiden that the car would be delivered in November, the order form did not indicate the delivery date and contained a disclaimer for delay or failure to deliver due to circumstances beyond the dealer's control. On November 21, Mrs. Kaiden purchased another car from another dealer and canceled her car from Lee. When Lee attempted to deliver a Rolls-Royce to Mrs. Kaiden on November 29, Mrs. Kaiden refused to accept delivery. Lee later sold the car for $140,495. Mrs. Kaiden sued Lee for her $25,000 deposit plus interest. Lee counterclaims, based on the terms of the contract, for liquidated damages of $25,000 (the amount of the deposit) as a result of Mrs. Kaiden's breach of contract. What are the rights of the parties?