They reply “yeah go on then” under a PDF. You order the suite. They cancel. The fight is not “WhatsApp is not legal.” The fight is whether there was a clear offer, a clear yes, and a scope. Texts bind people every week. Vague ones do not.
What the thread needs
| Piece | Stronger | Weaker |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | PDF + total + scope | “About two grand” |
| Accept | YES / I accept quote 142 | “Looks nice” / thumbs-up only |
| Who | Named customer, job address | A group chat of cousins |
| Change | New PDF for extras | A new bubble with a new total |
Say how to accept on the quote: “Reply YES to accept.” Then the yes has somewhere to land. A wet signature is still fine if they want one. It is not magic. Consumers can have extra cancellation rights on some distance or doorstep jobs — do not take a deposit you cannot handle if that applies. Speak to a solicitor or a trade association if you are already in a dispute.
Quote 142 attached for 14 High St, bathroom as scoped, £6,800 + VAT. Reply YES to accept this quote. Valid 14 days. Deposit terms on the PDF.
Keep the thread. Screenshots help; the original chat is better. If they accept in person, send “as agreed on site, quote 142 accepted — extras still need a new yes.” Do not let the paper and the hallway tell two stories.
What people miss
Thinking WhatsApp cannot count. It can. Treat it like a contract because it might be one.
Thinking every thumbs-up is a yes. A sticker under a photo of the suite is not acceptance of a price. Ask for the word.
Changing the job in later messages. That can be a new offer. Get a new yes, or you are both guessing.
No copy of the PDF. If the file died and the chat says “the quote,” you will argue about which quote.
Related guides
FAQ
- Does it have to say “contract”?
- No. Offer, acceptance, and a defined job are what matter in practice. Still not legal advice.
- What about email instead of WhatsApp?
- Same idea. Clear file, clear yes. Do not split the yes across three apps if you can help it.
- They said yes then ghosted the deposit.
- You may have a yes. You still should not order special kit until the deposit you wrote actually lands.
- Can they cancel after a yes?
- Sometimes, especially consumers in specific situations. Write extras and deposits clearly, and get advice if it is already a fight.
