Campbell Soup Co. V. Wentz Case Summary

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Read the Case Campbell Soup Co. v. Wentz in the text. Answer the following questions: • What were the terms of the contract between Campbell and the Wentzes? First, the Wentzes were to deliver to Campbell all Chantenay red cored carrots grown on their farm during the 1974 season. Second, the Wentzes were contracted at $30 per ton. However, Campbell Soup drafted a provision prohibiting farmers/sellers from selling to anyone else unless they rejected the carrots. Not to mention, a liquidated damages provision of $50 per ton if seller breached, but no similar provision in the event that Campbell breached. Lastly, Campbell also gave themselves the right to determine who could buy carrots they rejected. • Did the Wentzes perform under the contract? …show more content…

First, the Wentzes had harvested 100 tons of carrots at a market price of $90 per ton but they didn’t want to accept $30 per ton from Campbell. As a result, they sold 62 tons to another to a farmer who sold some to Campbell. Overall, the Wentzes breached the contract with Campbell. • Did the court find specific performance to be an adequate legal remedy in this case? The court did not find any specific performance to be an adequate legal remedy, in this case, ruling in favor of the Wentzes.“The judge ruled that the uniqueness of the subject matter of the contract, Chantenay red cored carrots, would have justified granting Cambell’s request for specific performance. To point out, the harshness of Campbell’s standard form contract rendered it unconscionable and, therefore, a court of equity need not enforce the agreement” (Goldberg, 2003). • Why did the court refuse to help Campbell in enforcing its legal contract? The court refused to help Campbell in enforcing its legal contract because “the court felt the contract was extremely one-sided. [ Also], it was wrong for Campbell to ask for the court’s help in enforcing this unconscionable bargain (one that “shocks the conscience of the court”)” (Rogers, …show more content…

Must be remembered, the Chantenay red cored carrots are considered as unique goods. In effect, this would give Campbell right to have first dibs on the yield. Specifically, Campbell will be able to set more equitable terms around the per ton of price of the red cored carrots they paid for from the farmers. On the positive side, both the farmers and Campbell will have the fair percentage of the Chantenay red cored carrots harvested at the end of the year. In detail, the contract states if Campbell does not purchase the crop within a set number of days from harvest or not purchase the rejected crops then the farmers have the rights to sell the Chantenay red cored carrots to whomever they choose. Overall, the contract is unconscionable for Campbell to occupy a large percentage of the farmland and not fairly compensate the farmers of those

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