District Of Columbia § 28:2-602 - Manner and effect of rightful rejection.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 28:2-602 — Manner and effect of rightful rejection., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 28:2-602. Manner and effect of rightful rejection.
28:2-602Rejection of goods must be within a reasonable time after their delivery or tender. It is ineffective unless the buyer seasonably notifies the seller.
Subject to the provisions of the two following sections on rejected goods (sections 28:2-603 and 28:2-604),
after rejection any exercise of ownership by the buyer with respect to any commercial unit is wrongful as against the seller; and
if the buyer has before rejection taken physical possession of goods in which he does not have a security interest under the provisions of this article (subsection (3) of section 28:2-711), he is under a duty after rejection to hold them with reasonable care at the seller’s disposition for a time sufficient to permit the seller to remove them; but
the buyer has no further obligations with regard to goods rightfully rejected.
The seller’s rights with respect to goods wrongfully rejected are governed by the provisions of this article on seller’s remedies in general (section 28:2-703).
Annotations
“Seller”. Section 2-103.
“Security interest”. Section 1-201.
“Seasonably”. Section 1-204.
“Rights”. Section 1-201.
“Remedy”. Section 1-201.
“Reasonable time”. Section 1-204.
“Notifies”. Section 1-201.
“Merchant”. Section 2-104.
“Goods”. Section 2-105.
“Commercial unit”. Section 2-105.
“Buyer”. Section 2-103.
Point 3: Section 2-703.
Point 2: Section 2-603(1).
Point 1: Sections 1-201, 1-204(1) and (3), 2-512(2), 2-513(1) and 2-606(1)(b).
4. The provisions of this section are to be appropriately limited or modified when a negotiation is in process.
3. The present section applies only to rightful rejection by the buyer. If the seller has made a tender which in all respects conforms to the contract, the buyer has a positive duty to accept and his failure to do so constitutes a “wrongful rejection” which gives the seller immediate remedies for breach. Subsection (3) is included here to emphasize the sharp distinction between the rejection of an improper tender and the non-acceptance which is a breach by the buyer.
2. Subsection (2) lays down the normal duties of the buyer upon rejection, which flow from the relationship of the parties. Beyond his duty to hold the goods with reasonable care for the buyer’s [seller’s] disposition, this section continues the policy of prior uniform legislation in generally relieving the buyer from any duties with respect to them, except when the circumstances impose the limited obligation of salvage upon him under the next section.
1. A tender or delivery of goods made pursuant to a contract of sale, even though wholly non-conforming, requires affirmative action by the buyer to avoid acceptance. Under subsection (1), therefore, the buyer is given a reasonable time to notify the seller of his rejection, but without such seasonable notification his rejection is ineffective. The sections of this Article dealing with inspection of goods must be read in connection with the buyer’s reasonable time for action under this subsection. Contract provisions limiting the time for rejection fall within the rule of the section on “Time” and are effective if the time set gives the buyer a reasonable time for discovery of defects. What constitutes a due “notifying” of rejection by the buyer to the seller is defined in Section 1-201.
To make it clear that:
Rewritten.
Section 50, Uniform Sales Act.
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 28:2-602
What does D.C. Code § 28:2-602 cover?
Section 28:2-602 ("Manner and effect of rightful rejection.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 28:2-602?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 28:2-602" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 28:2-602 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.