Seller v. Buyer: Nonconforming Goods as Defense to Payment

A seller sued a buyer for payment of goods delivered under a contract, but the buyer alleged that the delivered items did not conform to the order specifications, constituting a breach of contract. The trial court upheld the buyer's defense, finding that the goods were substantially different and unfit for the intended purpose, thereby justifying non-payment. The higher court, in affirming the lower court's decision, reasoned that when performance tendered by one party demonstrably fails to meet the essential terms of the agreement, the other party is legally entitled to refuse acceptance and non-performance is a valid defense against a claim for payment under the contract.