Problem Question:
Homer has become bored of his job as a safety inspector at the Springburn Nuclear Power Plant and yearns to take up his true passion: farming. He doesnt have terribly much or indeed any experience in this line of work, but this does not dissuade him from contacting Cletus, the owner of a large farm on the outskirts of Glasgow, and enquiring about the possibility of leasing some land for the purposes of growing tomatoes. Homer was prompted to contact Cletus when passing by Cletus farm, since there was by the roadside a large sign with Cletus face on it, which read Land for rent: special offer! Lowest price guaranteed!, with a phone number posted in large type underneath. Immediately on the phone to Cletus, Homer identified himself by giving his name and address before asking whats the lowest price you can give me for a lease of 16 acres for six months? to which Cletus replied um, I dunno, probably 1,200?. Having heard this answer and found it agreeable, Homer yelled sold! and slammed down the phone receiver, terminating the call. Nothing more was said between the parties at this time. Humming happily to himself, Homer went on his merry way and began stocking up on tomato seeds and farm supplies, spending some 500 on various farm-related paraphernalia. When he returned home however, Homer was horrified to hear from his wife that Cletus had called to say that in spite of the earlier phone call, no plot of land was presently available for rent of just 1,200, and that the next best available plot was a 32 acre plot for 2,400. Enraged, Homer picked up the phone to Cletus once again to give him a piece of his mind; on the call, Homer demanded to know why Cletus wouldnt honour the promise he made on the sign and why the 32 acre plot couldnt just be cut in half. Cletus, for his part, coolly informed Homer that he had no interest in dealing further with an obnoxious and rude gentleman such as he and terminated the call. This, naturally, angered Homer even further, who determined that Cletus was undoubtedly trying to wriggle out of his commitment to lease the farm plot.
Advise Homer, with reference to legal authority, of the legal position arising out of the facts outlined above.
