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Sometimes called a sale of goods contract, a sales agreement, or a purchase agreement, a sales contract outlines the terms of a transaction between two parties: the buyer and the seller. These formal agreements are used to detail the services, goods, or property that is to be exchanged for payment or the promise of future payment. The result is a document that should be kept for legal and record-keeping purposes. In an effort to specify the conditions of the agreement, a sales contract identifies the:
Whether it's a small-scale transaction or a large-scale purchase, a sales contract should be used to ensure that the transaction goes smoothly for both parties. Actually, in the United States, a sales contract generally must be put in writing if the sale of goods is for more than $500 in order for it to be enforceable under the Uniform Commercial Code, with some exceptions depending on the circumstances of the contract. Though the UCC isn't federal law, it serves as a model that every state has accepted and implemented in some form. Although each state has the ability to modify its implementation of the UCC or to interpret it differently, most of the UCC’s basic principles are shared by all states.
Unlike oral contracts, which are only enforceable under specific circumstances, sales contracts clearly outline the contractual obligations and rights as well as the economic consequences associated with an agreement. Put simply, this document helps guarantee that the transaction will proceed in a way that's acceptable to both parties based on the agreed-upon terms, allowing you to protect your interests. This is because a sales agreement supplies the legal protections available to the buyer and seller if one of the parties fails to deliver what they promised when they promised it.
Sales agreements and bills of sale have pretty similar purposes, but the major difference between them is the amount of detail provided. While the sales contract talks about payment plans, warranties, and legal ramifications, the bill of sale is simply a form that signifies the transfer of ownership from one party to another, although it can include other information about the transaction if the parties choose to do so. In fact, it is sometimes used as a component of a more comprehensive sales agreement to provide proof that the goods were indeed exchanged.
Meet some lawyers on our platformSales contracts can require different or additional information based on the goods or services being exchanged. Regardless, you should at least include these details when creating a sales contract :
One of the first things that a sales contract should do is clearly identify the parties involved, which is typically just a buyer and a seller. The full names and contact information should be provided for all parties involved.
This is typically the most important aspect of a sales contract because it lists the exact goods or services that the buyer is paying for. For this reason, a description of goods should include key details, like the:
In the case of exchanged services, you would clearly detail the jobs being performed and any deliverables. For example, if you were creating a sales contract for building a brand's website, you might describe the pages, copy, photos, graphics, and other special features that would be involved with the project.
The payment is usually the term of a sales contract that is most negotiated, which is why it's so important to put it in writing as soon as you reach an agreement. Aside from the agreed-upon price, including any adjustments or deposits, your sales contract should outline:
In cases where the buyer isn't paying the full invoice right away, a promissory note is usually added to the sales contract. A promissory note is a document that goes into greater detail about the repayment terms, including any interest that will be charged and the schedule for repayment.
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Details about the delivery of the goods and/or services should also be addressed in a sales contract. This can include things like the:
It's also pretty common for a sales contract to include what's known as a force majeure, which is a clause that discusses the inability to deliver due to things that are out of both parties' control, such as riots, floods, and other natural disasters.
An inspection period isn't included in all sales contracts, but it can be a great way to bolster a buyer's confidence and give them a chance to examine an item to make sure that it meets the terms of the agreement.
The time allotted for an inspection period varies depending on the type of goods that are involved. For example, when perishable items are involved, buyers typically have to inspect and then accept or reject the goods as soon as they are delivered. On the other hand, when the sale involves more expensive items, like machinery, the buyer is usually given as long as a month to inspect the goods.
A warranty is a legally enforceable guarantee assuring a buyer that the goods or services provided will meet the expected level of reliability and quality. According to the Uniform Commercial Code, there are both express and implied warranties. While an express warranty is an affirmative statement made by the seller regarding the characteristics and qualities of the goods, an implied warranty is an unwritten guarantee that the goods they purchase will meet minimum requirements regarding the quality. In other words, these warranties automatically apply any time a buyer purchases goods from a seller.
If implied warranties are specifically disclaimed, excluded, or modified in a written agreement, like a sales contract, they no longer apply. That's why this section is such an important, yet sometimes overlooked, aspect of a sales contract. Without it, the seller could be unknowingly agreeing to certain warranties.
Depending on the goods or services you're providing, you can include these additional provisions in your sales agreement:
When doing business, it is in the best interest of both the buyer and seller to have an agreement in writing. Even though developing a sales contract does take more time, it can save you plenty of headaches in the future.
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Vicki graduated from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1996. She is a licensed attorney. She has been admitted to Wisconsin since 1998 and Pennsylvania since 1999.
G'day, my name is Michele! I work with startups, entrepreneurs and small/medium-sized businesses across the country in a wide array of industries. I help them with all of their ongoing, daily legal needs. This includes entity formation, M&A, contract drafting and review, employment, asset sale & acquisition, and business sales or shareholder exits. I'm half-Australian, half-Italian, and I've lived the last 20+ years of my life in America. I've lived all over the USA, completing high school in the deep south, graduating cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and then cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school I worked for the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, LLP. After four intense and rewarding years there, I left to become General Counsel and VP of an incredible, industry-changing start-up called Urban Mining Company (UMC) that manufactures rare earth permanent magnets. I now work for Phocus Law where I help run our practice focused on entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs. I love what I do, and I'd love to be of help! My focus is on providing stress-free, enjoyable, and high-quality legal service to all of my clients. Being a good lawyer isn't enough: the client experience should also be great. But work isn't everything, and I love my free time. I've been an avid traveler since my parents put me on a plane to Italy at 9-months old. I'm also a music nut, and am still looking for that perfect client that will engage me to explain why Dark Side Of The Moon is the greatest album of all time. Having grown up in a remote, and gorgeous corner of Australia, I feel a strong connection to nature, and love being in the elements.
