4 Alex browses through a mail order catalogue of a company called Bestbuy, and is
attracted by a picture of a sheepskin coat priced at £120. Alex telephones Bestbuy and
orders a coat.When the parcel containing the coat arrives, Alex finds that a jumper has
also been enclosed, with a letter explaining that this is ‘in the hope that the client will
wish to take advantage of this opportunity to purchase the jumper as the offer of the
month’ at a bargain price. Alex does not want the jumper.
On examining the coat Alex is dismayed to find that the sheepskin is not of the
quality expected, being a darker colour than it seemed from the picture in the catalogue.
Alex does not wish to keep the coat.
In desperation, needing a coat immediately, Alex visits a local clothes shop,
Cuteclothes, where there is a similar coat in the window priced at £145.Alex wishes to
buy the coat, but is informed that the price ticket is wrong and that the coat actually
costs £160. Alex leaves the shop to seek advice.
Advise Alex as to his position in all three situations.
OCR 2004
5 Logan, a shoe manufacturer, notices an advertisement for equipment to be sold by
auction. At the auction Logan finds that the item in which he is interested has been
withdrawn from sale. He is angry at having wasted his time and money on this journey.
Logan then places an order with Manesh via the internet on 2 May for a quantity of
leather. Manesh only sees the order on 11 May. Manesh replies by e-mail immediately,
agreeing to supply the leather. However, before Logan receives the e-mail he places an
order for the leather with another firm. On 17 May Manesh delivers the leather and
requests payment.
Nigel, an engineer, says that he will service some machines for Logan for £300, but
Logan rejects this. However, finding that other engineers charge even more, Logan later
contacts Nigel, claiming to accept his offer to do the work for £300. Nigel states that
he is now fully booked and cannot now service the machines.
Apply the principles of offer and acceptance to each of these situations.
OCR 4-module specimen paper
6 Critically analyse the importance of making a valid offer in forming a contract.
7 ‘The current law on offer and acceptance establishes exactly when, where and how a
contract is made, while at the same time supporting the principles of freedom to contract.’
Discuss the ways in which this law is put into practice through the ‘rules’ of offer and
acceptance.
OCR 2007
8 ‘Just a person is free to form an offer in any way he chooses, he is also free to withdraw it.’
Critically evaluate the ways in which an offer to form a contract may be brought to
an end.
OCR 2002
9 Consider whether the principles of acceptance are adequate to regulate the
communication systems of a modern society.
A further ‘dilemma’ style question on offer and acceptance can be found in Part 7 of the book.
Offer and acceptance 45