An invitation to treat is a preliminary step towards making an offer, but it does not lead to the formation of a contract. It is a way of expressing interest or willingness to negotiate, without committing to any specific terms. Judges often have to decide whether a statement or an action is an offer or an invitation to treat, as the distinction can affect the legal rights and obligations of the parties involved. According to the study guide, some examples of invitations to treat are:

1. Display of goods on shop windows or shelves

2. Advertisement

3. Request for quotation and invitation to tender

These are not offers because they do not indicate a clear intention to be bound by the acceptance of the other party. They are merely invitations for the other party to make an offer.

However, with the development of electronic commerce, the distinction between offer and invitation to treat becomes more complicated. For instance, is a display of goods on an e-commerce website an offer or an invitation to treat?

Do you want to ace your CIPS exams? Try our practice tests with over 200 questions per module. You’ll get instant feedback with answers and explanations for every question. Plus, you can save money with our coupon code CIPSAUG. Just enter it at checkout and enjoy a lower price on OUR PRACTICE TEST