§34. CERTAINTY AND CHOICE OF TERMS; EFFECT OF PERFORMANCE OR
RELIANCE
(1) The terms of a contract may be reasonably certain even
though it empowers one or both parties to make a selection of terms in the course of
performance.
(2) Part performance under an agreement may remove uncertainty
and establish that a contract enforceable as a bargain has been formed.
(3) Action in reliance on an agreement may make a contractual
remedy appropriate even though uncertainty is not removed.
Comment:
a. Choice in the course
of performance. A bargain may be concluded which leaves a choice of terms to be made by one party or the other. If the agreement
is otherwise sufficiently definite to be a contract, it is not made invalid by the fact that it leaves
particulars of performance to be specified by one of the parties. Uniform Commercial Code
§2-311(1). The more important the choice is, the more it is likely that the parties do not intend to be
bound until the choice is made. But even on such matters as subject matter and price, one party is often
given a wide choice. If the parties intend to make a contract and there is a reasonably certain
basis for granting an appropriate remedy, such alternative terms do not invalidate the contract. See §33.
b. Unlimited choice; good
faith and fair dealing. If one party to an agreement is given an unlimited choice, that party may not be a promisor..., and the
contract may fail for want of consideration. See §79....And in any event discretionary power
granted by a commercial contract must be exercised in good faith and in accordance with fair
dealing. Uniform Commercial Code §§1-203, 2-103(1)(b). A price to be fixed by a seller or buyer
of goods, for example, means a price for him to fix in good faith. Uniform Commercial Code §2-305(2).
c. Subsequent conduct
removing uncertainty. Indefiniteness may prevent enforcement of a contract in two different ways: it may mean that a manifestation
of intention is not intended to be understood as an offer; or, even though the parties intended to
enter into a contract, there may be no sufficient basis for giving an appropriate remedy. Subsequent
conduct of one or both parties may remove either obstacle or both....[P]art performance may give
meaning to indefinite terms of an agreement, or may have the effect of eliminating indefinite
alternatives by waiver or modification. Uniform Commercial Code §2-208. In such cases a bargain may be
concluded, but it may be impossible to identify offer or acceptance or to determine the
moment of formation. See §22(2).