LIL MAN IN THE BOAT INC v. AUK TA SHAA DISCOVERY LLC (2018)

MEMORANDUM ***

Lil’ Man In The Boat, Inc. (“Lil’ Man”) seeks remedies for breach of contract, claiming defendant, Auk Ta Shaa Discovery, LLC (“Auk Ta Shaa”), wrongfully refused to deliver the Queen of Seattle vessel after the parties had allegedly orally agreed to the terms of a purchase. The District Court dismissed the action. We affirm because, even if the District Court erred in dismissing for lack of personal jurisdiction, Lil’ Man failed to state a claim.

There are at least two reasons Lil’ Man failed to state a claim. First, there was never any agreement as to the terms of the purchase. Although Lil’ Man contends it accepted a “counter offer” from Auk Ta Shaa’s broker, the broker’s response to Lil’ Man’s offer was not a counter offer, but rather a suggestion that Lil’ Man offer more money. Second, the alleged written and agreed-upon contractual terms did not contain the signature of Auk Ta Shaa or its broker as required by the statute of frauds. See Cal. Civ. Code § 1624.5(a) (requiring sale of personal property over $5,000 to be in writing and signed by party against whom enforcement is sought); Secrest v. Sec. Nat’l Mortg. Loan Tr. 2002-2, 167 Cal.App.4th 544, 84 Cal.Rptr.3d 275, 281 (2008) (“A contract coming within the statute of frauds is invalid unless it is memorialized by a writing subscribed by the party to be charged or by the party’s agent.”).

AFFIRMED.