Q1. Brenda is a purchasing agent for Commodities Exchange Corporation. Dennis, a Commodities corporate officer, gives Brenda written authority to buy for the firm as many computers and peripheral devices as necessary. The next day, Dennis calls Brenda and tells her to buy only fifty notebook computers and nothing else. Brenda shows the written authority to E-Products, Inc., and enters into a contract with E-Products to buy sixty notebook computers and a selection of printers, scanners, and extra storage media. E-Products ships the order to Commodities. Is Commodities liable to E-Products under the contract? Is Brenda liable? In each case, if so, why? If not, why not?
Q2. Tropical Vittles, LLC, hires Sophie to act as its agent to buy a ten-acre tract of land from Rico for $1,000 per acre. Tropical Vittles does not want Rico to know that it is the principal or that Sophie is its agent. Tropical Vittles wants the land for a new fast-food restaurant, and believes that Rico may not sell the land for that purpose or may demand a premium price. Sophie makes the purchase, signing only her name to the contract as the buyer and not disclosing to Rico the agency relationship. The transfer of the deed is to occur on May 1. Rico learns of Tropical Vittles’s identity on April 15. Can Rico legally refuse to deed the property on May 1? Explain.
