Arcos v Ranaason [1933] AC 470 House of Lords

A contract for the sale of a quantity of wooden staves for making barrels described the staves as being 1/2 an inch thick. Some of the staves delivered were not 1/2 an inch thick but very slightly out. There was nothing wrong with the quality of the wood and they could still be used for the intended purpose of making barrels. The buyer rejected the goods as the price of wood had fallen and he could purchase them cheaper elsewhere.

Held:

The purchasers were entitled to reject the goods under s.13 as they were not as described. 

NB - note the position in relation to non-consumer sales has since changed. S.13 is not automatically a condition in non-consumer sales.

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