WPC8 9Vd4wJηM3z@>5n !ݼCG5q7Ч(ÓQ {žt@+`-M -!͒$9Rb/\-&LBdjˆSZn mcf[kNI7JGvB.e;Vq/CػVieQ;( LjOn&#ʲx Q㘇(5f3TYD٨5qͮ>AynohqBېkW aGgDI4D_%'D!Ȟe-@a3u*T1P[6<dNfş@*cDIԈbm⨊4aE} !7Cyc+K7ۍ0 @9}7m3+>~+ VqdVUÇd#!xU:N % 04 0 ! b ^ w 4  + m- 0D 0 D8 |  K~ # 1u 0ca 72N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0uT 0r! 0N" 00# 0$ 0$ 0% 0& 0m' 0=( 0 ) 0) 0* 0+ 0n, 0F- 0. 0. 0/ 00U)>Q1Q1Q1Q1"123U:h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6h6 B6666 0P6 D577777 AQD77 0P[8 0D8HP LaserJet 8000 DN PS0("  Z6Times New Roman Regular( U$  ((2O$ U!   XXX   `   0  - -py#(L tpO'ing3|x U2J+M 0_level1  X 2( ` hp x 223  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  (#$  0    L$  XXxX @ @ `   2    _[Grossmargin]=[Retailpumpprice][Transfercost]. A L$  XXxX @ @ `   8    _Mr.Marshalltestifiedthatheanticipatedthattheserviceandrepairbusinesswaswherethe  realmoneywouldbemade.  L$  XXxX @ @ `   7    _ThiscasecallstomindanobservationbyanEnglishcourt,anthologizedbyProfessor  Willistoninhistreatise: Itisapoplarbelief,especiallyprevalentamongstlawyers,thattheefficient  businessmanrequiresthatobligationsincurredinbusinessshouldbeexpressedinwritinginsimple,  intelligibleandunambiguouslanguage.Itisabeliefencouragedbythesayingsofbusinessmen  themselves.Butinpracticenothingappearstobefurtherfromthetruth.Businessmenhabitually p adventurelargesumsofmoneyoncontractswhich,forthepurposeofdefininglegalobligations,are `  amerejumbleofwords.Theytrusttoluckorthegoodfaithoftheoppositeparty,withthe P  comfortableassurancethatanyadverseresultoflitigationmaybeattributedtothehairsplittingof @  lawyersandtheuncertaintyofthelaw.4SamuelWilliston,TreatiseontheLawofContracts 0  600A(WalterH.Jaegered.,3ded.1961).##37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(;3$2#  0  .3  0    L$  XXxX @ @ `   1    _[Remittanceprice]=[Retailpumpprice][Marshallsshareofgrossmargin].  L$  XXxX @ @ `   4    _Mr.Marshallexplainedhowtheconsignmentagreementworkedinpracticeasfollows:  8 `  IfIpricedthepump,selfservice119.9oraonecentspot,thatmeans_Kwik_  _Sak_Ԁwouldbeat118.Now,toclarifywhatthepricewouldbe,Jackson&Jones  wouldcallmeandtellmewhattheircostwouldbe,whattheactualcostwouldbe p forthegasoline,IdtakethatactualcostfromJackson&Jonestome,minus119.9 `  pumpprice,andletssaytheactualcostwas$1.10pergallon,sothatwouldleave P  9.9centsgrossprofitforgasolineinthatparticularpriceproduct.Andyouwould @  dividethatbytwo,whichwouldbe50percent,thatwouldbemygrossmarginprofit 0  andthatwouldalsobeJackson&Jonesgrossmarginprofitabovewhateverthey  p  alreadychargedmeforcost.` ` (#` (# i)2G+M 0_level2   /%` ` hp x /23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  2D+M 0_level3   ," hp x ,23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  2A+M 0_level4  ` ) hp x )23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  2>+M 0_level5   &hhp x &23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  2;+M 0_level6   #p x #23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  28+M 0_level7  h  p x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  25+M 0_level8   pp x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5    L$  XXxX @ @ `   3    _[Transfercost]=[Wholesalecostoffuel]+[Transportationcosts]+[state&federaltaxes].22+M 0_level9    x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  2JM 0_levsl1  X 2( ` hp x 223  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  2GM 0_levsl2   /%` ` hp x /23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  2DM 0_levsl3   ," hp x ,23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  2AM 0_levsl4  ` ) hp x )23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  2>M 0_levsl5   &hhp x &23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  2;M 0_levsl6   #p x #23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  28M 0_levsl7  h  p x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  25M 0_levsl8   pp x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  22M 0_levsl9    x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  2JM 0_levnl1  X 2( ` hp x 223   5+ ` hp x 5  2GM 0_levnl2   /%` ` hp x /23   5+ ` hp x 5  2DM 0_levnl3   ," hp x ,23   5+ ` hp x 5  2AM 0_levnl4  ` ) hp x )23   5+ ` hp x 5  2>M 0_levnl5   &hhp x &23   5+ ` hp x 5  2;M 0_levnl6   #p x #23   5+ ` hp x 5  28M 0_levnl7  h  p x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  25M 0_levnl8   pp x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  22M 0_levnl9    x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  \  `&Times New Roman  b"   _<]<<]   Ad FILED<X5 X<  December30,1999CecilCrowson,Jr.AppellateCourtClerkdA  L$  XXxX @ @ `   5    _See_nn_.13.  L$  XXxX @ @ `   6    _ThecalculationfordeterminingMr.Marshallsshareofthe grossmarginwasincluded  inparagrapheightoftheagreement.The transfercostwastobedeterminedbyJackson&Jones,  butwasbasedonthewholesalecostofthefuelwhichwasestablishedbyJackson&Joness  supplier,thetransportationcostwhichwasestablishedbyJackson&Jones,andthestateandfederal  taxeswhichwereestablishedbylaw.,OAZ"Arial Regular d((3$ U!   VVVV)!dxdxabZc[C<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5((3$ U!   ($$   1  U!   _XTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'T  8Mdd8  D   _x`9[B2.jz>F`  `@E` 8ttxPp( F x@ DINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE@)DATNASHVILLE MDԈ   FREDMARSHALL, h      p ) f   `     h      p ) ` Plaintiff/Appellant,     p )  RutherfordCircuit    `     h      p )  No.32618   VS. `     h      p )    `     h      p )  AppealNo.   JACKSON&JONESOILS,INC.,   p )  M199700104COAR3CV "   `     h      p ) ` Defendant/Appellee.     p ) F @eeDAPPEALFROMTHECIRCUITCOURTFORRUTHERFORDCOUNTY@"DATMURFREESBORO,TENNESSEE@DTHEHONORABLEJ.S.DANIEL,JUDGEForthePlaintiff/Appellant:0  0%%0p%%0p%p%FortheDefendant/Appellee:! %% FrankM.Fly   h      p   AllenShoffner #0 Murfreesboro,Tennessee     p   Shelbyville,Tennessee $B  DM@ D AFFIRMEDINPART;VACATEDINPART; /*' @hh)DANDREMANDED#MDS #  1V,(  `     h      p WILLIAMC.KOCH,JR.,JUDGE  9450  DM@)DOPINION MDԈ  Lf  ` Thisappealinvolvesacontractdisputebetweenaservicestationownerandhis p gasolinesupplier.TheownerfiledsuitagainstthesupplierintheCircuitCourtfor  F RutherfordCountyallegingthatthesuppliersbreachoftheretailpriceprovisionsoftheir |  contractforcedhimoutofbusiness.Thesuppliercounterclaimedfortheunpaidcostof  R  gasoline.Thetrialcourt,sittingwithoutajury,foundthatthesupplierhadnotbreachedthe   agreementandthatthesupplierhadnotprovedthatitwasentitledtopaymentforunpaid ^  gasoline.Boththeownerandthesupplierhaveappealed.Theownerassertsthatthetrial   courtmisconstruedthetermsofthesupplycontract;whilethesupplierarguesthatthetrial j courterredbydismissingitscounterclaim.Wehavedeterminedthatthetrialcourt  misconstruedthecontractand,therefore,vacatethejudgmentforthesupplierontheowners &v breachofcontractclaim.Wehavealsodeterminedthatthetrialcourtcorrectlydismissed  thesupplierscounterclaim.Accordingly,wevacatethejudgmentinpartandremandthe 2 casefortheassessmentofdamagesagainstthesupplier.  @.D I.     ` FredMarshalloperatesaHandyMarketonthecornerofBradyvilleRoadand  $ MinervaDriveinMurfreesboro.In1989,fearingcompetitionfromotherconveniencestore V"& chains,hepurchasedaservicestationatthesameintersectioninordertopreventthesite #,( frombeingacquiredbyacompetitor.InAugust1989,hesignedatenyear consignment b% * supplyagreementwithJackson&JonesOils,Inc.InreturnforMr.Marshallsagreement &8", thatJackson&Joneswouldbehisexclusivesourceforgasoline,dieselfuel,andother n(#. petroleumproducts,Jackson&Jonesagreedtofurnishhimwiththenecessaryaboveground )D%0 equipmentandgasolineneededtooperatehisbusiness. z+&2  ` Theagreement,asitsnameindicated,wasatrueconsignment.Mr.Marshalldidnot .)6 purchasepetroleumproductsfromJackson&Jonesandthenresellthemtothepublic.  0\+8 Rather,Jackson&JonesretainedownershipofthefueldeliveredtoMr.Marshallsservice 1,: stationuntilitwassoldthrougheithertheselfserviceorfullservicepumps.Theagreement 3h.< providedthatthepartieswouldbecompensatedbysplittingtheproceedsfromthesaleofthe 4/> petroleumproducts.Forselfservicegasoline,thepartiessplittheprofitsequally.Forfull $6t1@ servicegasoline,Mr.Marshallreceivedalargershareoftheproceeds ascompensationfor 72B  laborcostinpumpingtheproductandprovidingfullservice.TheagreementrequiredMr. 094D Marshalltofileaweeklyreportofthenumberofgallonsoffuelsoldfromeachpumpforthe  precedingweekandtopayJackson&Jonesa remittancepriceforeachgallonsold. 6   ` Theconsignmentsupplyagreementdefinedthe remittancepriceastheretailpump B  priceminusMr.Marshallsshareofthe grossmargin. #  1      ׀The grossmarginwasthe   amountthattheretailpumppriceofthefuelhadbeenmarkedupbymutualagreementover N   the transfercostofthefuel. #  2      ׀The transfercostofthefuelwasthecostofthefuelto  $  Jackson&Jonesplusthetransportationcostsplustheapplicablestateandfederaltaxes.!8 #  3       Z   ` TheagreementdidnotsetaspecificretailpumppriceforthefuelsoldatMr. f  Marshallsservicestation.Instead,itprovidedthatthepumppriceforanygivensalesreport < periodwouldbetheamountset bymutualagreementbetweenMr.MarshallandJackson r &Jones.Duringthenegotiationsleadinguptotheagreement,JohnKeithJacksonof H Jackson&Jonespreparedaproposalsuggestingthatthepumppriceforselfservicefuelat ~ Mr.Marshallsstoreshouldbeonecentpergallonhigherthanthepumppriceofthe T unbrandedgasolinebeingsoldattheKwikSakconveniencestorenearesttoMr.Marshalls  station.Thisconceptwasincorporatedintoparagrapheightofthepartiesagreementwhich `  provided,inpart,that [t]heabovecomputation[thecomputationofMr.Marshallsshareof " thegrossmargin]appliestoproductsoldthroughOperatorsselfserviceoperationandis  l$ basedonbeingbrandedandgivingaonecentspottoanyunbrandedmarketersinthearea. #  4      ׀ !&  ` Thepricingmechanismintheconsignmentsupplyagreementworkedprofitablyfor $* bothMr.MarshallandJackson&JonesuntiltheGulfWar.InSeptember1990,Jackson& 4&!, JonesbegandictatingtoMr.Marshallwhattheretailpumppriceofthefuelwouldberather ' #. thanarrivingatapricebymutualagreement.InMr.Marshallswords: @)$0 8 ` 8 ` (#` (#Itturnedaroundandtherewasnolongeramutualagreement.  [Jackson&Jones]wouldcallmeeachFridaymorningtotellme  whatthepumppriceswillbeandtheselfservicewillbeonthe  street,andthatwasitirregardlessofwhatthecompetitionwas   doing.Iwouldrelateto[Jackson&Jones]thatKwikSakis  overtheresellinggasolinefor101.9,doyouwantmetogoto   $109.9?Doyourealizewhatitsgoingtodotobusiness?   #DespiteMr.Marshallsrepeatedobjections,Jackson&Jonescontinuedtoinstructhimto R   increasethepriceofhisselfservicefueluntilitwaseightcentspergallonhigherthanthe (  priceoftheselfservicefuelatthenearestKwikSak.Jackson&Jonesblamedtheseprice ^  increasesontheincreasedcostitssupplierwaschargingforfuel.WhenMr.Marshall 4  inquiredwhythepumppriceofthefuelbeingsoldathisstationwasnolongerbeingsetat j onecentpergallonhigherthanthecomparablefuelbeingsoldattheKwikSak,Mr.Jackson @ informedhimthatasfarasJackson&Joneswasconcerned,thepumppricenolongerhad v anyrelationtothepumppriceatKwikSak. L  ` Mr.MarshallnotifiedJackson&JonesinOctober1992thatitsrefusaltopricethe X fuelcompetitivelywasforcinghimoutofbusiness.Mr.Marshallclosedhisstationtwo  monthslater.Bythattime,thepriceofselfservicegasolineatMr.Marshallsservicestation d wasninecentspergallonhigherthantheselfservicegasolineatthenearbyKwikSak.Mr. ! Marshallssalesoffuelhaddwindledtolessthanonehalfoftheir1990levels,andhehad  !p# lostasignificantamountofhisrepairbusiness.Asheputit, Theprice[ofgasoline]gotso "% highthatIwouldntdonobusinessandbasicallyJackson&Jonespricedmeoutofbusiness ,$|' andIhadtocloseupthebooks. %!)  ` Mr.MarshallsuedJackson&JonesintheCircuitCourtforRutherfordCounty, ($- allegingthattheunilateraldictationoftheretailpriceofselfservicegasolinebreachedthe D*%/ consignmentsupplyagreementandhadforcedhimoutofbusiness.Jackson&Jonesdenied +'1 thatithadbreachedtheagreementandcounterclaimedfor$5,637.60pluslatechargesand P-(3 interestforthefueltheyclaimedMr.Marshallhadneverpaidfor.Followingabenchtrial, .&*5 thetrialcourt(1)determinedthattheconsignmentsupplyagreementpermittedJackson& \0+7 JonestosetthepriceofthefuelsoldatMr.Marshallsstationbasedsolelyonthewholesale 12-9 costoffuel,thetransportationcosts,andstateandfederaltaxesand(2)dismissedthe h3.; provisionlinkingthepumppriceofthefueltoaonecentspotoverunbrandedmarketersin 4>0= theareaas poorlydrafted.Accordingly,thetrialcourtdeterminedthatJackson&Jones t61? hadnotbreachedtheagreement.ThetrialcourtalsodismissedJackson&Joness 7J3A counterclaimforfailureofproof.Bothpartieshaveappealed. 94C  ;V6E @.D II.   @ D Mr.MarshallsBreachofContractClaim  6  ` Mr.Marshallassertsthatthetrialcourtmisconstruedparagrapheightofthe B  consignmentsupplyagreement.Specifically,hearguesthatthetrialcourterredby   dismissingas unreasonabletheprovisionintheagreementlinkingtheretailpumppriceof N   fuelsoldatMr.Marshallsservicestationwiththeretailpriceoffuelatothernearby  $  unbrandedmarketers.__Weagreethatthetrialcourterredbyfailingtogiveeffecttothis Z  provision. 0  @.D A.  < 53>L ` #L53>S5#53>LThepurposeofinterpretingawrittencontractistoascertainandtogiveeffecttothe H contractingpartiesintentions.#L53>5#53>LSeeBobPearsallMotors,Inc.v.RegalChryslerPlymouth, x Inc.#L53>x6#53>L,521S.W.2d578,580(Tenn.1975);#L53>7#53>LԀGredigv.TennesseeFarmersMut.Ins.Co.#L53>w7#53>L,891 H S.W.2d909,912(Tenn.Ct.App.1994).Inthecaseofwrittencontracts,theseintentionsare x reflectedinthecontractitself.Thus,thesearchforthecontractingpartiesintentshould H  focuson(1)thefourcornersofthecontract,#L53>7#53>LseeWhitehavenCommunityBaptistChurchv. x" Holloway#L53>]9#53>L,973S.W.2d592,596(Tenn.1998);#L53>9#53>LHallv.Jeffers#L53>R:#53>L,767S.W.2d654,65758 H$ (Tenn.Ct.App.1988),(2)thecircumstancesinwhichthecontractwasmade.#L53>:#53>LSeePenske x!& TruckLeasingCo.v.Huddleston#L53>e;#53>L,795S.W.2d669,671(Tenn.1990);#L53>;#53>LԀPinson&Assocs.Ins. "H( Agency,Inc.v.Kreal,#L53>P<#53>LԀ800S.W.2d486,487(Tenn.Ct.App.1990),and(3)theparties x$* actionsincarryingoutthecontract.#L53><#ԀSeeHamblenCountyv.CityofMorristown,656 %H!, S.W.2d331,335(Tenn.1983);Ballardv.NorthAm.Life&Cas.Co.,667S.W.2d79,84 '". (Tenn.Ct.App.1983).53>L )o$0 #L53>m>#53>L#L53>>#53>L ` Intheabsenceoffraudormistake,courtsshouldconstruecontractsaswritten.#L53>?#53>LSee %,u'4 FrankRudyHeirsAssocs.v.Sholodge,Inc.#L53>?#53>L,967S.W.2d810,814(Tenn.Ct.App.1997); -(6 #L53>1@#53>LWhaleyv.Underwood#L53>@#53>L,922S.W.2d110,112(Tenn.Ct.App.1995).Thecourtsshould %/u*8 accordcontractualtermstheirnaturalandordinarymeaning,#L53>A#53>LseeEvcoCorp.v.Ross#L53>A#53>L,528 0+: S.W.2d20,23(Tenn.1975),andshouldconstruetheminthecontextoftheentirecontract. %2u-< #L53>@B#53>LSeeWilsonv.Moore#L53>C#53>L,929S.W.2d367,373(Tenn.Ct.App.1996);#L53>hC#53>LRaineyv.Stansell#L53>C#53>L,836 3.> S.W.2d117,119(Tenn.Ct.App.1992).Thecourtsshouldalsoavoidstrainedconstructions %5u0@ thatcreateambiguitieswherenoneexist.#L53>1D#53>LSeeHillsboroPlazaEnters.v.Moon#L53>+E#53>L,860S.W.2d 61B 45,4748(Tenn.Ct.App.1993). %8u3D  #L53>E#53>L 94F #L53>5F#53>L ` Thecourtsmaynotmakeanewcontractforpartieswhohavespokenforthemselves,   #L53>F#53>LseePettyv.Sloan#L53>NG#53>L,197Tenn.630,640,277S.W.2d355,359(1955),andmaynotrelieve 0 partiesofthecontractualobligationssimplybecausetheseobligationslaterprovetobe  burdensomeorunwise.#L53>G#53>LSeeAtkinsv.Kirkpatrick#L53>H#53>L,823S.W.2d547,553(Tenn.Ct.App. 0  1991).Thus,whencalledupontointerpretacontract,thecourtsmaynotfavoreitherparty.   #L53>'I#53>LSeeHeyerJordan&Assocs.,Incv.Jordan#L53>J#53>L,801S.W.2d814,821(Tenn.Ct.App.1990). 0   However,whenacontractcontainsambiguousprovisions,thoseprovisionswillbeconstrued   againstthepartyresponsiblefordraftingthem.#L53>J#53>LSeeHanoverIns.Co.v.Haney#L53>K#53>L,221Tenn. 0  148,15354,425S.W.2d590,59293(1968);#L53>L#53>LBurksv.BelzWilsonProperties#L53>L#53>L,958S.W.2d   773,777(Tenn.Ct.App.1997). 0  #L53>M#@.D B.  6  ` Paragrapheightoftheagreementcontainsthefinancialtermsoftheparties B contractualrelationship.Itcontainsthreeformulae: #  5      ׀fordetermininghowtheproceedsfrom  thesaleofthegasolineshouldbedistributedtoMr.MarshallandJackson&Jones.Allthe N variablesintheseformulae,exceptforthe retailpumppriceofthegasoline,were $  establishedeitherintheagreementitselforbyotherobjective,verifiablestandards.; #  6      ׀The Z" retailpumppriceistheonlyvariableintheseformulaethattheagreementrequirestobeset 0$ bytheparties bymutualagreementandtobe basedon...givingaonecentspottoany f!& unbrandedmarketersinthearea. "<(  ` Asthetrialcourtconstruedtheagreement,theretailpumppricewasessentially %H!, dictatedbythepriceJackson&Jonesssupplierwaschargingforthefuel.Thecontract, ~'". however,doesnotsaythat.Asevidencedbythelanguageabouttheonecentspotoverarea )T$0 unbrandedmarketers,thecontractmakespumppricingoffuelforanygivenreportingweek *%2 competitivelydriven,notsimplydrivenjustbywhatwenormallythinkofaswholesalecost. ,`'4  ` Mr.JacksontestifiedthatMr.MarshallhadtopayJackson&Jones"basedonhiscost /l*8 ascomputedbythecosttothestationpluswhatever[Mr.Marshallsmarkup]mighthave 0+: been...."WhilethatmaybehowMr.Jacksondesiredthearrangementtowork,thecontract (2x-< doesnotsaythat. #  7      ׀ParagraphsevenoftheagreementmerelyrequiredMr.Marshalltopay  Jackson&Jonesa"remittanceprice"oneachgallonofgasolinesold.Asdefinedinthe 6 contract,theremittancepricewasnothingmorethanJackson&Jonesshalfofthegross   margin,whichcouldhavebeenanyfigure.ContrarytoMr.Jacksonsassertion,nowhere B  doestheagreementrequireMr.MarshalltopayJackson&Jonessomewholesalecostfigure   forthegasoline.Undertheagreement,Mr.Marshalldidnotbuythefuelwholesaleandthen N   resellitretail,andthetrialcourterredinbasingitsconstructionofthecontractonthat  $  notion. Z   ` Mr.Marshallwasknowledgeableaboutsellinggasolineatretail.Whenheentered f  intotheagreementwithJackson&Jones,hewantedtobeabletopricehisgasoline < competitivelytoattractcustomerswhowouldalsopayhimtoserviceandrepairtheir r vehicles.  #  8      ׀Mr.JacksonrespondedtoMr.Marshallsdesireforcompetitivepricingby H proposingawaytopriceselfservicegasolinethatwouldmakeitcompetitivewithinonecent ~ pergallonwithgasolineforsaleatanearbyselfserviceconveniencestore.Mr.Jacksons T competitivepricingproposalwasultimatelyincorporatedintoparagrapheightofthe  consignmentagreementdraftedbyJackson&JonesandacceptedbyMr.Marshall.When `  wereviewtheentirerecordincontext,includingthepartiesoriginalcourseofdealingsand " Mr.Marshallslaterprotests,weagreewithMr.Marshallthatthemutualagreementon  l$ pricingwasintendedtobepeggedonmaintainingacloselycompetitiveprice,ideallyaone !& centspot,overhisnearbyunbrandedcompetition. (#x(  ` Inourview,thetrialcourtgavetoolittleweighttothecompetitivepricingprovision 4&!, inparagrapheight.Inviewoftheplainmeaningofthelanguageofthatprovision,aswell ' #. asthehistoryofhowitwasincludedintheagreementandthepartiescourseofdealingafter @)$0  theagreementwassigned,weagreewithMr.MarshallthatJackson&Jonesbreachedthe *&2 consignmentagreementwhenitbeganunilaterallyimposinganuncompetitiveandultimately  destructivepricingstructureonMr.MarshallafterAugust1990. 6  @-D III.  B  @ D Jackson&JonessCounterclaimforUnpaidFuel     ` Jackson&Jonescontendsthatthetrialcourterredindismissingasunprovenits  $  counterclaimforfueldeliveredtoMr.Marshallsservicestationthathadnotbeenpaidfor. Z  Jackson&Jonessevidencetosupportthiscounterclaimconsistedofadeliveryinvoice 0  devoidofanydollarfigureandthetestimonyofitspresidentthatMr.Marshallowed tomy f  knowledge...around$10,456.Whenpromptedbyhislawyertobemorespecific < concerningtheelementsofthe$10,456figure,thepresidentstatedthatsomeunspecified r amountswerefora servicechargeanda carryingcharge.Jackson&Jonespresentedno H evidenceshowingspecificamountsoffueldeliveredtoMr.Marshallsservicestationonany ~ particulardateandneverprovidedameansforeitherthetrialcourtorthiscourtto T understandthedifferencebetweenthe$5,637.60allegeditscounterclaimandthe around  $10,456testifiedtobyitspresident. `   ` Itiselementalthatapartyassertingalawsuitclaimmustestablishtheclaimby  l$ satisfactoryproofconvincingtothefactfinder.SeeHamiltonv.Zimmerman,37Tenn.(5 !& Sneed)39,44(1857).Tocarrytheburdenofproof,apartymayemployeitherdirect (#x( evidencefromwitnesseswithpersonalknowledgeorcircumstantialevidencefrompersons $* whoknowandcantestifytorelatedfactsthatreasonablytendtoestablishthedesiredfacts. 4&!, SeeMarquetv.AetnaLifeIns.Co.,128Tenn.213,225,159S.W.733,736(1913).As ' #. Jackson&JonesOilpointsout,whilecourtsordinarilywillacceptawitness'unimpeached, @)$0 uncontradictedtestimonyastrue,seeFrankv.Wright,140Tenn.535,541,205S.W.434, *&2 435(1918),thattestimonymuststillinducesomecertaintyinthefactfindersmind.See L,'4 StandardOilCo.v.Roach,19Tenn.App.661,666,94S.W.2d63,66(1935). -")6  ` ThevagueandconclusorytestimonyofJackson&Jonesspresident,procuredonly 0.,: byleadingdirectexaminationandwhollyuncorroboratedwithanybusinessrecords,failed d2-< toinduceconvictioninthetrialcourtsmindastowhatamount,ifany,Mr.Marshallmight 3:/> haveowedJackson&Jonesforfuel.Havingreviewedtherecord,weagreewiththetrial p50@ courtthatJackson&Jonesfailedtoprovetheircounterclaimbyaconvincingpreponderance 6F2B oftheevidence. |83D  :R5F Ї@.D IV.  6    ` WereversethedismissalofMr.Marshall'scomplaintandaffirmthedismissalof B  Jackson&Jonescounterclaim.WeremandthiscasetothetrialcourttodetermineMr.   Marshall'sdamagesforJackson&Jonessbreachoftheconsignmentsupplyagreementand N   forwhateverotherproceedingsmayberequired.WetaxthecostsofthisappealtoJackson  $  &JonesOils,Inc.forwhichexecution,ifnecessary,mayissue. Z   `     h     ____________________________ f   `     h     WILLIAMC.KOCH,JR.,JUDGE j CONCUR: v _________________________________  HENRYF.TODD,  PRESIDINGJUDGE,M.S.  _________________________________  BENH.CANTRELL,JUDGE