Which scenarios create irrevocable offers under common law?

Which scenarios create irrevocable offers under common law?

• A. Firm offer by a merchant, option contracts, unilateral contract coupled with part performance, foreseeable detrimental reliance
• B. Revocable offers, general solicitations, and price quotes
• C. Offers that require a signature, a witness, and a notary
• D. Any offer is revocable unless accepted

Answer: (A)

The key idea is when an offer becomes irrevocable due to a separate promise, law, or reliance, rather than being revocable at any time before acceptance. Irrevocable offers arise in several scenarios. First, an option contract keeps the offer open because the offeree provides something of value to hold it for a set period; the offeror cannot revoke during that time. Second, a firm offer by a merchant under the UCC stays open for a stated period without needing consideration, as long as it’s in writing and signed. Third, when a unilateral contract invites performance, once the offeree begins that performance, the offer generally cannot be revoked before completion. Fourth, if the offeree reasonably relies on the offer to their detriment and the reliance was foreseeable, promissory estoppel can render the offer irrevocable to prevent injustice. Together, these ideas explain why scenarios that involve an option-like promise, a merchant’s firm offer, partial performance of a unilateral contract, or foreseeable detrimental reliance all create irrevocable offers. In contrast, revocable offers, general solicitations, price quotes, or mere signatures/notary requirements do not by themselves make an offer irrevocable.

The key idea is when an offer becomes irrevocable due to a separate promise, law, or reliance, rather than being revocable at any time before acceptance.

Irrevocable offers arise in several scenarios. First, an option contract keeps the offer open because the offeree provides something of value to hold it for a set period; the offeror cannot revoke during that time. Second, a firm offer by a merchant under the UCC stays open for a stated period without needing consideration, as long as it’s in writing and signed. Third, when a unilateral contract invites performance, once the offeree begins that performance, the offer generally cannot be revoked before completion. Fourth, if the offeree reasonably relies on the offer to their detriment and the reliance was foreseeable, promissory estoppel can render the offer irrevocable to prevent injustice.

Together, these ideas explain why scenarios that involve an option-like promise, a merchant’s firm offer, partial performance of a unilateral contract, or foreseeable detrimental reliance all create irrevocable offers. In contrast, revocable offers, general solicitations, price quotes, or mere signatures/notary requirements do not by themselves make an offer irrevocable.