A buyer agrees to purchase an original oil painting from a seller for $100,000. Delivery is set for June 15. On that date, the seller refuses to deliver the painting and instead offers to refund the buyer in full. The buyer, however, insists on taking possession of the painting, arguing that it holds special commercial significance. The seller contends that monetary damages are enough to resolve the issue. Assuming the buyer can satisfy all other legal requirements, is the buyer entitled to enforce delivery through specific performance?
No, the buyer is not entitled to enforce delivery because the seller offered to refund the buyer in full.
Yes, the buyer is entitled to enforce delivery because the painting is unique, and monetary compensation would not serve as an adequate remedy.
No, the buyer is not entitled to enforce delivery because financial compensation is sufficient to address the breach of contract.
No, the buyer is not entitled to enforce delivery because collectible art is often valued in terms of monetary compensation.
Specific performance is awarded when monetary damages are inadequate, particularly in cases involving unique goods that cannot easily be replaced. An original oil painting qualifies as unique, as it cannot be replicated or substituted in the market. This makes monetary compensation insufficient, justifying the buyer’s right to compel delivery through specific performance. In contrast, the incorrect options fail for several reasons, including the argument that a refund negates remedies, which ignores the principle that specific performance overrides the availability of monetary compensation. The assertion that art can easily be monetized misrepresents the issue's legal focus on irreplaceability. Finally, the idea that financial compensation is sufficient disregards the painting's unique nature, which drives the inadequacy of such compensation.
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