Which of the following is an exception to the mailbox rule as to when acceptance is effective?

Which of the following is an exception to the mailbox rule as to when acceptance is effective?

• A. The offer states otherwise.
• B. Acceptance is effective upon posting regardless.
• C. Rejection sent first.
• D. The offeree's silence is acceptance.

Answer: (A)

Acceptance generally becomes effective when the offeree properly mails it, not when the offeror actually receives it. This is the mailbox rule. The only usual exception is when the offer itself says that acceptance is not effective until the offeror receives it. So an offer that states acceptance is only effective on receipt overrides the mailbox rule, making that statement the best answer. The other scenarios either mirror the standard rule (acceptance on dispatch), depend on timing without creating a formal exception, or rely on silence, which typically isn’t acceptance unless the offeror has expressly permitted or established it.

Acceptance generally becomes effective when the offeree properly mails it, not when the offeror actually receives it. This is the mailbox rule. The only usual exception is when the offer itself says that acceptance is not effective until the offeror receives it. So an offer that states acceptance is only effective on receipt overrides the mailbox rule, making that statement the best answer. The other scenarios either mirror the standard rule (acceptance on dispatch), depend on timing without creating a formal exception, or rely on silence, which typically isn’t acceptance unless the offeror has expressly permitted or established it.