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Understanding Implied vs. Explicit Promises in Contracts: A Key Concept in Accounting & Contract Law
Promises in a contract to transfer a good or service can be implicit or explicit. Which one of the following statements is correct? Autos Ltd. run an advertising campaign stating that customers that buy a car in June will get two years of free servicing, however the free servicing is not specified in any contract. Therefore the free servicing is not a promise in the contract. To set up a contract with a new customer Telecommunications Inc. needs to complete various administrative tasks. Given the administrative tasks are required to set up the contracts they must be considered as part of the promises in the contract. As a marketing incentive Stand Up Inc. offers a free paddle and coiled ankle leash to all customers buying a stand-up paddle board in the month of April. Given the free accessories are a marketing incentive they are not promises in the contract. Promises may be implied by an entity’s customary business practices, published policies or specific statements. These promises are identifiable at contract inception if a valid expectation is created that a good or service will be transferred.

The correct statement is: "Promises may be implied by an entity’s customary business practices, published policies or specific statements. These promises are identifiable at contract inception if a valid expectation is created that a good or service will be transferred."

In the context of the given statements: - The statement about Autos Ltd. offering two years of free servicing in an advertising campaign is correct. Even though the free servicing is not specified in the contract, it creates a contractual obligation because the advertising campaign constitutes a promise that is implied in the contract, as per IFRS 15.

The statement about Telecommunications Inc. completing administrative tasks to set up a contract is not entirely accurate. Administrative tasks to establish a contract are typically not considered promises in the contract but are rather fulfillment costs that enable the contract to take effect.

The statement about Stand Up Inc. providing a free paddle and coiled ankle leash as a marketing incentive is also not entirely correct. Although these items are promotional incentives, they do represent a promise in the contract if they create a valid expectation for customers at the time the contract is entered into.

Therefore, the correct interpretation is that promises in a contract can be explicit or implicit, and they are identifiable at the start of the contract if they result in a good or service being promised to the customer, regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or implied through customary business practices, policies, or specific statements.