Brief Fact Summary. Plaintiff sent a letter to Defendant asking to buy a certain property for $6000. Defendant wrote a reply that described that “it would not be possible to sell unless I was to receive $16,000 cash.” Plaintiff then sent a message that he accepted the offer to buy for $16,000.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. An offer is an act that must express the will or intention to allow an offeree to reasonably believe that the power to create a contract. It excludes situations that evidence intent to deal or open negotiations.
Issue. Whether there was a binding contract for sale of the property entitling the willing buyer to damages for seller’s failure to deliver the deed.
Held. Defendant’s letter stating “it would not be possible to sell unless I was to receive $16,000” was found to show intent to open negotiations that might lead to a sale but that it was not a proposal to sell. Defendant did not write an offer to sell that would empower the plaintiff to bind a contract for sale by his acceptance.
The language used is general, and such as may be used in an advertisement, or circular addressed generally to those engaged in the seed business, and is not an offer by which he may be bound, if accepted by any or all of the persons addressed.
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