Ohio Court of Appeals, 1916

In re Brown

In re Brown
Ohio Court of Appeals · Decided January 31, 1916 · Gorman, Jones
26 Ohio C.C. Dec. 360; 25 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 63

In re Brown

Opinion of the Court

PER CURIAM.

After a consideration of the facts in this case and applying thereto the law of Ohio with regard to sales we reach the conclusion that on May 9, 1913, the title to the personal property •in question was in the Loring Andrews Company and did not pass to the assignee.

Section 8399. G C.. provides:

“Buies for ascertaining the intention of the parties as to the time at which the properly in the goods is to pass to the buyer” and by the language of the section said rules do not apply where a different intention appears.

*361Tbe goods were sent to Mrs. Brown’s house on approval, and hence the second subdivision of rule 3 of Sec. 8399 would apply here. It provides:

(2) When goods are delivered to the buyer on approval or on trial or on satisfaction, or other similar terms, the property therein passes to the buyer—
‘ ‘ (a) When he signifies his approval or acceptance to the seller, or does any other act adopting the transaction.
“ (b) If he does not signify his approval or acceptance to the seller, but retains the goods without giving notice of rejection, then, if a time has been fixed for the return of the goods, on the expiration of such time, and if no time has been fixed;- on the expiration of a reasonable time. ' What is a. reasonable time is a question of fact.”

Mrs. Brown had not signified her approval or acceptance of the goods, but she had retained them without notice of rejection. As no time was fixed for the return of the goods, the sale would be complete on expiration of a reasonable time, and what is a reasonable time is the question of fact in this case.

The time may vary owing to the circumstances of each -case. Here no price was given Mrs. Brown on the goods. Most of the articles had not been selected by her, but were placed in her home during her absence. She had no intimation of the price or that the goods were charged to her as sold until eight days before the assignment. At that time and for months before, she was ill, insolvent and much worried over business affairs of a different nature, of greater magnitude and “nearer consequence.” The fact that she let eight days elapse after receipt of this bill when . she was obviously contemplating bankruptcy is not conclusive evidence that she accepted the goods. She could have returned the bill received by her with notice of rejection and would not have been indebted to the firm for same.

Such being the case the assignee or trustee has no claim upon the goods' and the Loring Andrews Company are entitled to the proceeds of the sale of the property, to-wit, $1,200.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.