What Is the Mailbox Rule, and How Does It Apply

question 7

Essay

What is the mailbox rule, and how does it apply in the following situation? Explain whether acceptance is effective and a contract is formed.
Day 1: An antique dealer e-mails an offer to sell a highly collectible Art Nouveau glass vase to a collector for $1,500.
Day 2: Collector receives the offer, prints out the e-mail, writes "ACCEPTED, 1 Art Nouveau glass vase for $1,500. Collector," and faxes Dealer the acceptance.
Day 3 (9 a.m.): Dealer's assistant receives Collector's fax, but Dealer is out of the store all morning.
Day 3 (12 p.m.): Realizing he can get much more for the vase at auction, Dealer calls Collector to revoke his offer.
Day 3 (1:30 p.m.): Collector's acceptance fax is delivered to Dealer.

---

Definitions:

Average Fixed Cost

The fixed costs of production divided by the quantity of output produced, decreasing as more is produced.

Short Run

A time period in economics where at least one factor of production is fixed, limiting the ability of businesses to adjust to changing market conditions.

Equilibrium Price

The price at which the quantity of a good or service demanded equals the quantity supplied, leading to market balance.

Demand Curve

is a graph showing the relationship between the price of a good or service and the quantity demanded by consumers, typically downsloping to indicate that lower prices increase demand.