Peach Delivery Dispute Results in Judgment for CNY 10,014.56
A civil dispute over unpaid peach deliveries has led to a court judgment ordering the buyer to pay the seller a total of CNY 10,014.56. The case arose after a farmer delivered fresh peaches to a local buyer who issued written receipts but failed to make any payment. The court ruled in favor of the seller, finding that a valid sales contract had been formed and that the buyer had breached the agreement by failing to pay.
In 2011, the defendant, Mr. Wang, used a village broadcast system in Central China City to invite residents to deliver their freshly harvested peaches to him. The plaintiff, Mr. Li, responded to the announcement and made multiple deliveries of peaches to Mr. Wang. Each time Mr. Li delivered a batch, Mr. Wang issued a handwritten receipt. Over the course of the season, Mr. Li accumulated 18 such receipts, which together documented a total amount owed of CNY 10,014.56. Despite repeated requests for payment, Mr. Wang did not pay any part of the sum. Mr. Li then filed a lawsuit seeking full repayment.
During the court proceedings, Mr. Li presented the 18 original receipts as evidence of the deliveries and the agreed amounts. He also submitted a written certification from the local village committee confirming that Mr. Wang had indeed made public announcements over the village broadcast system during the peach season, calling on residents to deliver peaches to him. The defendant, Mr. Wang, did not attend the hearing and did not submit any evidence or written defense. The court reviewed the evidence and found that the receipts and the village committee certification corroborated each other, establishing that the deliveries had taken place as claimed.
The court held that the actions of Mr. Li in delivering peaches and Mr. Wang in issuing receipts created a legally binding sales contract. Under the applicable contract law, both parties were obligated to perform their duties in accordance with the agreement. Mr. Wang received the peaches but failed to pay the agreed price, which constituted a breach of contract. The court therefore found that Mr. Li’s claim for payment of CNY 10,014.56 was well-founded and should be granted. The judgment ordered Mr. Wang to pay the full amount within three days of the judgment taking effect, and further stated that any delay in payment would attract double interest as prescribed by civil procedure law.
The legal analysis relied on the fundamental principle that a contract is formed when one party makes an offer and the other accepts it, and both parties must act in good faith. In this case, the broadcast announcement was treated as an invitation to treat, and each delivery of peaches by Mr. Li, followed by Mr. Wang’s issuance of a receipt, constituted an individual sale transaction. The receipts served as clear written evidence of the agreement and the outstanding debt. The absence of the defendant did not prevent the court from proceeding, as the law permits judgment by default when a properly summoned party fails to appear without justification. The court also noted that the obligation to pay for goods received is a basic duty under contract law.
This case underscores the importance of keeping written records in commercial transactions, even in informal agricultural settings. Simple handwritten receipts can serve as sufficient evidence to prove the existence of a contract and the amount owed. It also shows that Chinese courts will enforce payment obligations when a buyer accepts goods but fails to pay. For sellers, maintaining clear documentation of deliveries and amounts is a practical step that can support a claim if a debt remains unpaid. The ruling reaffirms that a buyer’s failure to appear in court does not automatically defeat a well-documented claim.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.