Is an e-mail quote legally binding?

[LizP]

I'm moving 1200 miles away to go to school and I decided that I would rather ship my car than drive it.
Recently I received an e-mail quote from an
auto transport company and because of the
relatively low quote, I filled out an order
form and made my plane reservations. When the
auto transport company called to have me put down a deposit, they quoted me nearly three
hundred dollars more. I had them look up my e-mail address and they explained that my quote was a mistake. I talked to two different supervisors but they wouldn't make amends. I am a student and can't afford to pay that much more. Even worse my plane tickets are non-refundable. Is there anything I can do? P.S. I live in Minnesota.

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

If you initially contacted them and got that email with the low cost, I can see it this way:

You made an invitation to offer. They offered. You accepted. End of story, they must honor the price even if that was their mistake. Legalese, it is unilateral mistake.

If they sent you a blind email ad with a low bid, it can be construed as one of two ways:

They made an ad which is not an offer. You came in and based on the ad you filled out a form, which was your offer and they came back with no acceptance. I DONT THINK THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED.

Even if it did, you can say you relied to your detriment based on this low bid and purchased plane tix. So they would have to at least pay you for that.

Hope this helps.
A quote is usually construed as merely an invitation to offer. Your filling out the application can be construed as offer and