Final answer:
The agent primarily benefits from an agency by estoppel because it allows them to conduct business and make decisions on behalf of the principal, based on the third party's belief in their authority. While it might indirectly benefit the customer, the concept mainly protects those misled by the apparent authority of the agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The agent primarily benefits from an agency by estoppel. This concept arises when a person, the principal, gives a third party reason to believe that another individual, the agent, has the authority to act on the principal's behalf, even if no such authority has been actually granted. When transactions occur under this belief, the principal is estopped, or legally prevented, from denying the agent's authority, thereby protecting the third-party who was misled into dealing with the agent.
In most cases, this is to the agent's advantage, as they can conduct business and make decisions on behalf of the principal, based on the third party's belief in their authority. The agent is often able to secure deals, enter contracts, or take actions which they otherwise wouldn't have been able to do without the implied authority. However, if the agent acts in bad faith, they may be held liable for their actions.
It is less likely that the customer, principal, or broker would primarily benefit since the concept of agency by estoppel centers around protecting the parties that were misled by the apparent authority more than providing benefits to these parties. However, the customer may benefit indirectly by being able to enforce contracts they entered into under the assumption of the agent's authority.