Which scenario would generally be considered not an offer due to lack of specificity or duration?

Which scenario would generally be considered not an offer due to lack of specificity or duration?

• A. An advertisement lacking a quantity or price
• B. A written contract with a price and quantity
• C. A bid submitted with terms
• D. A signed lease for a defined property with a price

Answer: (A)

Offers must be definite and show an intent to be bound, with essential terms like price and quantity (or equivalent specifics) laid out so that acceptance creates a binding contract. An advertisement that omits both quantity and price fails to meet that standard because it’s not presenting a concrete commitment to sell a defined item at a set price; it’s typically treated as an invitation to negotiate or to submit offers. That’s why this scenario would generally not be considered an offer. In contrast, a written contract that states a price and quantity clearly communicates obligations and can be accepted to form a contract; a bid submitted with terms expresses a readiness to contract on those terms; and a signed lease for a defined property with a price sets out the specific subject, price, and duration—all of which are definite enough to be offers upon acceptance.

Offers must be definite and show an intent to be bound, with essential terms like price and quantity (or equivalent specifics) laid out so that acceptance creates a binding contract. An advertisement that omits both quantity and price fails to meet that standard because it’s not presenting a concrete commitment to sell a defined item at a set price; it’s typically treated as an invitation to negotiate or to submit offers. That’s why this scenario would generally not be considered an offer. In contrast, a written contract that states a price and quantity clearly communicates obligations and can be accepted to form a contract; a bid submitted with terms expresses a readiness to contract on those terms; and a signed lease for a defined property with a price sets out the specific subject, price, and duration—all of which are definite enough to be offers upon acceptance.