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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 2Ch. 7§ 2709 Seller'S Price Recovery Rights

§ 2709 Seller'S Price Recovery Rights

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2709 Seller'S Price Recovery Rights

Key Takeaways

  • •If a buyer doesn't pay for something they bought, the seller can ask for the money plus any extra costs.
  • •The seller can ask for the money if the buyer already took the item or if the item got lost or damaged after the buyer was supposed to take care of it.
  • •If the seller can't resell the item, they can still ask the buyer to pay for it.
  • •If the seller sues the buyer for the money, they have to keep the item for the buyer until the court decides, unless they can resell it.

Example

You buy a bike from a store but don't pay for it. The store can ask you to pay for the bike.

If you don't pay for the bike, the store can take you to court to get the money. They can also ask for extra money if they had to spend more because you didn't pay. If the bike gets stolen before you pay, you still have to pay for it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2709 Seller'S Price Recovery Rights

(1) When the buyer fails to pay the price as it becomes due the seller may recover, together with any incidental damages under the next section, the price (a) Of goods accepted or of conforming goods lost or damaged within a commercially reasonable time after risk of their loss has passed to the buyer; and (b) Of goods identified to the contract if the seller is unable after reasonable effort to resell them at a reasonable price or the circumstances reasonably indicate that such effort will be unavailing. (2) Where the seller sues for the price he must hold for the buyer any goods which have been identified to the contract and are still in his control except that if resale becomes possible he may resell them at any time prior to the collection of the judgment. The net proceeds of any such resale must be credited to the buyer and payment of the judgment entitles him to any goods not resold. (3) After the buyer has wrongfully rejected or revoked acceptance of the goods or has failed to make a payment due or has repudiated (Section 2610), a seller who is held not entitled to the price under this section shall nevertheless be awarded damages for nonacceptance under the preceding section. (Enacted by Stats. 1963, Ch. 819.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

buyer fails to pay the pricegoods acceptedconforming goodsgoods identified to the contractreasonable effort to resellcommercially reasonable time

Related Statutes

  • § 2704 Seller Remedies For Breach
  • § 2701 Collateral Contract Remedies
  • § 2702 Seller Rights For Insolvent Buyers
  • § 2703 Seller Remedies For Breach
  • § 2705 Seller'S Right To Stop Delivery

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 2709.
View Official Source