Final answer:
When told a laptop you want to buy is out of stock, you should seek an alternative product, as no breach of contract occurred. Caveat emptor should be practiced in all consumer transactions, including buying used items or placing orders over the internet.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you call a company to place an order for a laptop computer and are told, "Sorry, we're all out," the correct course of action would be to seek an alternative product. No contract was formed as the company did not accept your offer by confirming the order; therefore, you cannot sue for breach of contract. You could decide to accept the offer at a later date if the company restocks the item, but filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would not be pertinent unless there was misleading advertising or other unfair business practices involved.
Concerning buying a used laptop at a garage sale or ordering flowers over the internet, these are examples of consumer decisions where one should always approach with caveat emptor (let the buyer beware), evaluating the quality and authenticity of the product and the reliability of the vendor.