Is the Van Sale Post an Offer or an Invitation to Treat?

Question from Alla, Is the Van Sale Post an Offer or an Invitation to Treat?

Answer from AI:

When determining whether a communication constitutes an offer or an invitation to treat, it is essential to understand the legal distinction between the two. An offer, if accepted, forms a binding contract, whereas an invitation to treat is merely a preliminary step inviting negotiations or offers.

Understanding Offers and Invitations to Treat

In contract law, an offer is a clear, unequivocal statement of terms upon which the offeror is prepared to be bound once accepted by the offeree. On the other hand, an invitation to treat is an expression of willingness to negotiate or an invitation for offers, which itself cannot be accepted to form a contract.

Relevant Case Law

• Fisher v Bell (1961): This case established that displaying an item with a price in a shop window is an invitation to treat, not an offer. The shopkeeper is not obliged to sell the item at the displayed price.
• Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain v Boots Cash Chemists (1953): The court held that goods on a shelf in a self-service store are not offers to sell but invitations to treat. The offer occurs at the cashier when the customer indicates the intention to buy a particular item.
• Partridge v Crittenden (1968): An advertisement for the sale of goods was deemed to be an invitation to treat, not an offer. The court reasoned that it would be impractical for an advertisement to be an offer, as the seller would be contractually obliged to sell to every respondent.

Analysis of the Scenario

In the scenario provided, the individual has posted an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace for the sale of a van. The post includes specific details about the van and a price, along with contact information.

Drawing parallels from the case law mentioned, the Facebook post is more akin to an advertisement and is likely to be interpreted as an invitation to treat. This is because the post is made to the general public and it would be impractical for the seller to be bound to sell the van to the first person who accepts the terms, especially if multiple responses are received.

The inclusion of contact details suggests that the seller is inviting interested parties to get in touch, potentially to negotiate or to express their interest, which would then allow the seller to make an offer to a specific individual.

Conclusion and Legal Advice

Based on the principles derived from case law, the Facebook Marketplace post for the sale of the van would likely be considered an invitation to treat rather than a binding offer. However, each case can have unique factors that might influence a different legal outcome. For personalized legal advice, it is recommended to consult with a legal professional who can provide guidance based on the specifics of the situation.

For further reading on the subject, you may refer to resources such as BAILII for case law or academic articles from databases like Lexis Library and Westlaw. Textbooks such as Ewan McKendrick’s “Contract Law, Text, Cases, Materials” and Jill Poole’s “Contract Law” can also provide more in-depth analysis and discussion on the topic of offer and acceptance in contract law.