counteroffered

Counteroffered refers to the act of responding to an initial offer with an alternative proposition during negotiations. The term is used across business contexts, including sales, real estate, and employment. The person who makes the response is a counterofferor, and the party who received the original offer remains the offeror unless they accept, reject, or further counter.

In contract law, a counteroffer usually operates as a rejection of the original offer and creates a new offer with its own terms. Under the mirror image rule, an acceptance must precisely match the terms; a reply that changes terms generally ends the original offer. Unless the original offeror reopens negotiations, no contract is formed by a counteroffer alone.

Examples: If a seller offers a vehicle for 10,000, a buyer replies with 9,000 or with different conditions, this is a counteroffer. The seller may accept, reject, or issue another counteroffer. A binding contract only arises when both sides agree to identical terms.

Employment negotiations commonly involve counteroffers to salary, benefits, or start date. A candidate may propose a higher salary or different compensation package; the employer may accept, reject, or present a counteroffer. Counteroffers can extend negotiations and influence perceptions of commitment, but they are a standard part of many recruitment processes.

Practical notes: document the terms in writing, specify expiration dates, and consider the timing of responses. A counteroffer may reset terms or deadlines and can affect whether offers remain open. Once an agreement is reached on identical terms, a contract is formed.