Court Orders Payment of CNY 5514.55 for Peach Sale Dispute
In a straightforward contract dispute, a court in Eastern China City ordered a fruit buyer to pay a farmer CNY 5514.55 for peaches delivered during the 2011 harvest season. The case arose when the buyer, Mr. Zhang, failed to pay for fresh peaches that the seller, Mr. Gao, had supplied over multiple occasions. Despite repeated requests, the debt remained unpaid, prompting Mr. Gao to file a lawsuit. The court ruled in favor of the seller, finding that a valid sales contract existed and that the buyer had breached it by delaying payment.
The dispute centered on events that occurred in 2011, after the peach harvest. Mr. Zhang used the village broadcast system to invite local farmers to deliver their peaches to him. Mr. Gao responded to the call and delivered peaches in several batches. For each delivery, Mr. Zhang issued a handwritten receipt. The total amount owed for all deliveries came to CNY 5514.55. Mr. Gao asked for payment many times, but Mr. Zhang never paid. In late 2012, Mr. Gao brought the matter to court, seeking an order that Mr. Zhang pay the full amount.
At the hearing, Mr. Gao was represented by two agents, Mr. Chen and Mr. Zhou. The court reviewed the evidence, which included twelve receipts signed by Mr. Zhang for each peach delivery. Mr. Gao also submitted a certificate from the village committee confirming that Mr. Zhang had indeed used the village broadcast system to call for peach deliveries. Mr. Zhang did not appear in court or file any response, despite having been properly notified. The court examined the receipts and the village certificate together and found that they supported Mr. Gao’s account of the transaction.
The court held that the evidence clearly established the facts. Mr. Zhang had publicly invited farmers to deliver peaches, and Mr. Gao had delivered peaches in response. Each delivery was recorded by a receipt written and signed by Mr. Zhang. The court found that these actions created a legally binding sales contract between the two parties. Because Mr. Zhang accepted the peaches but never paid the agreed sum, he was in breach of that contract. The court therefore ruled that Mr. Zhang must pay the full amount of CNY 5514.55 within three days of the judgment.
Under the relevant law, which includes principles of good faith and performance of contractual obligations, the court emphasized that once a seller delivers goods and the buyer accepts them, the buyer must pay the price. The receipts served as clear proof of the quantity and value of the peaches delivered. The court also noted that Mr. Zhang’s failure to appear or to present any counter-evidence did not weaken the plaintiff’s case. The judgment further warned that if Mr. Zhang failed to pay on time, he would be liable for double the interest on the debt for the period of delay, as well as the court costs of CNY 25.
This case illustrates how even informal transactions between villagers can be enforced through the legal system when proper records exist. The simple act of issuing a handwritten receipt for each delivery proved decisive in establishing the debt. For farmers and small buyers, this ruling serves as a practical reminder to keep clear written documentation of all sales. While the amount involved was modest, the legal principle is clear: a buyer who accepts goods must pay for them in a timely manner. The court’s decision reinforces basic contract law protections for sellers in agricultural sales.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.