问答题
2.Food Shop sent a fax to Sanyi Farm to inquire about the price of tomatoes as follows: ‘100,000 kg of tomatoes isurgently needed. Reply as soon as possible.’
Upon receipt of the fax, Sanyi Farm shipped 100,000 kg of tomatoes to Food Shop. The latter took delivery of thegoods without any objection. On selling the goods Food Shop found that the quality of tomatoes did not meet thestandard required and had to sell the goods at a 20% discount. Food Shop considered that there was no contractbetween the two parties, since its fax to Sanyi Farm did not contain the price, which was one of the essential factorsto be an effective offer.
Required:
In accordance with the Contract Law:
问答题
(a)Explain the legal nature of the fax sent by Food Shop.(2 marks)
【正确答案】The legal nature of the fax sent by Food Shop was an invitation to offer, not an effective offer, since this fax contained onlythe name and quantity of the goods, lacking the essential and necessary factor for an effective offer, i.e. the price of the goods.Hence, it was only an invitation to offer.
【答案解析】
问答题
(b) Describe the legal nature of the act to take delivery of the goods by Food Shop.(2 marks)
【正确答案】The legal nature of taking delivery of the goods by Food Shop was an acceptance. Since the delivery of the goods by SanyiFarm indicated its expression to enter into a contract with Food Shop in the way of action, it constituted an offer. Accordingto the Contract Law, an offeree may take various ways to accept the offer, such as written form, oral form or action. In thiscase Food Shop took delivery of the goods; it was an acceptance in the form of action.
【答案解析】
问答题
(c)Explain whether there was a contract between the two parties.(2 marks)
【正确答案】There was a contract between Sanyi Farm and Food Shop. According to relevant provisions of the Contract Law, the formationof a contract takes place by way of offer and acceptance. Where an acceptance made by the offeree reaches the offeror, acontract is formed. In this case Sanyi Farm delivered the goods, which was an offer. Food Shop, as an offeree, took over thegoods and resold the goods. This meant Food Shop accepted the offer by Sanyi Farm. Therefore, a contract was formed.