What are the differences between an offer and an invitation to treat?

An offer and an invitation to treat are two key concepts in business transaction law in Washington. Generally speaking, an offer is the promise of one party to perform a certain act, while an invitation to treat is an invitation for potential buyers to make offers. An offer is made by an offeror and is a specific offer that is intended to be legally binding and can be accepted in order to create a legally binding agreement between two parties. It must have specific details, including the terms of the agreement, the products or services offered, the price and any possible conditions of the contract. An invitation to treat is more of an invitation to start negotiations and is usually not legally binding until a contract is formed. The intention of an invitation to treat is to allow potential buyers to make offers to the offeror. It is usually less specific and contains fewer details than an offer. Essentially, the main difference between an offer and an invitation to treat is that an offer is an agreement to carry out a certain transaction, while an invitation to treat is an invitation for someone to make offers. An offer is legally binding, while an invitation to treat is not. It is important for business owners and buyers to understand the differences between an offer and an invitation to treat in order to achieve the best possible outcome in a transaction.

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