For example, after you go to the supermarket to buy something and choose something, the act of paying the bill is an offer, and the advertisement on TV is a typical invitation to offer.
The main differences between an offer and an invitation to offer are as follows:
1. An offer is an expression that the parties are willing to conclude a contract, and its direct purpose is to conclude a contract; An invitation to offer is an expression that the parties hope that the other party will take the initiative to conclude a contract with themselves.
2. The offer must include the main contents of the contract that may be concluded in the future. An offer contains the intention of the parties to be bound by the offer, while an invitation to offer does not contain the intention of the parties to be bound by the offer.
3. Offers are mostly made for specific counterparts, so they are often made in the form of dialogues and letters, while invitations to offer are generally made for unspecified counterparts, so they are often made through television, newspapers and other media.
Extended data:
Provisions on offer and invitation to offer in contract law;
Article 14 Offer
An offer is an expression of intention to conclude a contract with others, which shall meet the following conditions: (1) the content is specifically determined; (2) The offeror is bound by the expression of will by indicating that he has accepted the offer.
Article 15 Invitation to Offer
An invitation to offer is an expression of intention to expect others to make an offer to themselves. Sent price list, auction announcement, tender announcement, prospectus, commercial advertisement, etc. It's an invitation to offer. If the content of a commercial advertisement conforms to the provisions of the offer, it shall be regarded as an offer.
Article 16 Validity of Offer
An offer takes effect when it reaches the offeree. Where a contract is concluded in the form of a data message, and the addressee designates a specific system to receive the data message, the time when the data message enters the specific system shall be regarded as the arrival time; If the specific system is not specified, the time when the data message first enters any system of the addressee shall be regarded as the arrival time.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Invitation to Offer