Contract Law essay

Subject: Legal Issues

CONTRACTS ESSAY 1
Debbie owned and operated a party supply compa
ny called “Partyline.” Debbie had recently
expanded her inventory of tables
and chairs that she offered for rent, so she placed the following
advertisement in the local newspaper on June 1:
“Partyline can fill all you party needs! We have r
ecently expanded our inventory of rental tables
and chairs, so we are offering a on
e month special on rentals for the
month of June. We will rent
tables and/or chairs for the low price of $1 per
table or chair per day! Call 555-RENT for more
information.”
Pete saw the advertisement. Since he was pla
nning a garden party in
his yard on June 25, he
called 555-RENT on June 3 and spoke with Debbie.
In the course of the
conversation Pete said,
“Your rental prices are very affo
rdable!” “That’s true!” replied
Debbie, “we have the best rates
in town.” Pete then said, “I am planning a
garden party on June 25.
I am not sure how many
people will be attending, but I think I will need
to rent tables and chairs for that day for 100
people.” Debbie replied, “I just need to double-ch
eck to make sure we will have enough tables
and chairs available, but I am quite sure we
can provide you with tables and chairs for 100
guests.” “No problem,” Said Pete, “you can let
me know sometime within the next two weeks.”
Between June 3 and 6 Debbie received a large number
of bookings to rent tables and chairs. She
came to the conclusion that she would be unable to
agree to any additional rentals for the month
of June. On June 7 Debbie took out a second adve
rtisement in the local newspaper which stated
the following:
“Partyline is no longer able to honor
its June rental special. Please contact us for your July
party needs.”
On June 12 Pete called Debbie and told her that
he was counting on the
table and chair rentals
for his garden party. “Didn’t you see the June 7
ad?” said Debbie. “What ad?” replied Pete.
When Debbie described the June 7 ad Pete rep
lied, “That is unacceptable! I have 100 guests
coming on June 25 and I need a place for them to
sit and eat their lunch!
” Debbie apologized but
said she would be unable to provide Pe
te with the table and chair rentals.
Does Pete have an enforceable contract with Debbie?