Philip wants to sell his house and advertises it in the local newspaper at €370,000, giving his telephone number. Jim sees the advertisement and rings Philip and makes an
appointment to see the house. Jim likes the house but cannot agree a price with Philip,
his highest offer being €367,000, while Philip insists on €370,000.
On the following Monday Jim receives a letter from Philip offering him the house for
€368,500 and saying that Jim can have until noon on Friday to think about it. On
Wednesday evening Jim meets his brother Garrett in their local. Garrett tells him that
Philip's son-in-law bought the house earlier that day for €367,000. Jim goes straight
home and writes a letter to Philip, accepting his offer to sell at €368,500. He posts the
letter immediately and Philip receives it on Thursday morning, but replies by return saying
"You are too late. I have sold the house to my son-in-law."
Advise Jim