Serious question, is a verbal agreement actually binding here in Edmonton?

I keep seeing people argue both ways on this. A buddy of mine paid $500 cash for a used snowblower based on a handshake deal. Seller said it worked great. Got it home and the carburetor is shot. Now the guy won't answer his texts. Some people say verbal contracts are worthless. Others say they hold up in small claims if you have proof like texts or witnesses. I was under the impression Alberta courts do recognize verbal agreements for stuff under $5000. Does anyone here have actual experience getting money back from a verbal deal that went sour?

3 comments

3 Comments

robin4891mo ago

A buddy of mine got burned the same way on a used dirt bike.

gray_schmidt81mo ago

Oh man, that sucks for your buddy. I had a friend who bought a used motorcycle off Kijiji for $800, cash handshake deal, and the thing had a bent frame he didn't notice until a week later. He tried taking the guy to small claims but the seller just said "buyer beware" and the judge asked if he had anything in writing or a text saying it was in good shape. He didn't, so he lost. I think people overhype verbal contracts in Alberta because technically they're valid for stuff under $3,000 or $5,000 or whatever the limit is now, but actually proving the exact terms after a handshake is a nightmare without something on paper. Your friend might be stuck unless the seller admitted it was working in a text you can screenshot.

taraw161mo ago

Wait did the seller ever text him back after the complaint? That's the only way he'll have proof. Cause if the guy was smart he just stopped replying and that's game over. Verbal contract or not, judge needs something concrete. What exactly did the bike listing say? Was it "runs great" or just vague stuff like "needs work"? That changes everything.