What is an Offer? What does mean by General Offer?

In simple words it is the starting point in the making of an agreement. An offer is also called proposal. According to Section 2(a) of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, When one person signifies to another his willingness to do or to abstain from doing something, with a view to obtaining the assent of that other to such act or abstinence, he is said to make a proposal.

A general offer is an offer which is not made to a definite person but to the world at large or public in general. It may be accepted by any person by fulfilling the terms of the offer. In general offer, the contract is made with the person who having the knowledge of the offer comes forward and acts according to the conditions of the offer. An offer of reward made by way of advertisement for finding lost articles is the most appropriate example of general offer.

When the offer is not accepted. in the prescribed manner, it is up to the offerer to accept or to reject such acceptance. And in case he decides to reject the acceptance then he is required to inform the acceptor within a reasonable time.