Yueyang Court Rules in Online Phone Leasing Case: Malicious Breach of Contract Leads to Legal Consequences!

Yueyang, April 15 (Hunan Peace Network) – Correspondent Yan Kehui – With the advancement of internet technology, the digital realm has gradually permeated daily life, giving rise to online shopping and leasing. The allure of brand-new smartphones at ultra-low prices and instant availability has made leasing an attractive option. However, what begins as "easy leasing" can quickly turn into regret when payment deadlines loom. Recently, the Yunxi District People’s Court in Yueyang City, Hunan Province, adjudicated a contractual dispute involving the online leasing of a mobile phone.

A Yueyang-based telecommunications company, operating as a merchant on the "Renren Zuji" leasing platform, leased an Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128GB to a user identified as Xiao Ming. The three parties – Xiao Ming (Party A), the telecommunications company (Party B), and the Guangzhou-based platform (Party C) – entered into a leasing service agreement online. The contract stipulated a 12-month lease term, with monthly rents of 899.92 yuan for the first 11 months and 899.88 yuan for the final month, under a "lease-to-own" arrangement.

After receiving the device, Xiao Ming paid only three installments and subsequently defaulted on the remaining payments. As all attempts to contact him failed, the telecommunications company filed a lawsuit, demanding that Xiao Ming pay the buyout price of 8,099.28 yuan for the iPhone.

The court ruled that the Leasing Service Agreement was legally binding. Xiao Ming, having leased the device through the "Renren Zuji" platform and taken delivery, breached the contract by failing to pay the remaining installments. In accordance with the agreement, the court ordered Xiao Ming to pay the full buyout amount of 8,099.28 yuan.

Judge’s Reminder

While many young consumers are drawn to online leasing for its low upfront costs and access to trendy products, it is crucial to recognize that such agreements entail legal responsibilities. Both lessors and lessees must strictly adhere to the terms of their contracts.

The judge also issued a broader caution: "Don’t let vanity lead to irrational spending." In life, it is important to avoid blindly keeping up with trends or overindulging in "advanced consumption" and "excessive spending" merely for the sake of appearance. Everyone should spend within their means, base their consumption on actual income, and exercise rational judgment—ensuring that "advanced consumption" does not become "overstretched consumption."