A major corporation uses a great deal of a derivative from high-grade petroleum. Because of the cost of the high-grade petroleum and a decrease in the use of other derivatives that come from the cracking process, the cost of the derivative is going to increase. Substitute products are available if the cost increases sufficiently to make those products cost efficient. The purchasing agent for the corporation, without the direction of his superiors, has verbally agreed with his supplier to purchase a six-month supply of the derivative at the current cost. In the meantime, the research department has found a cheaper substitute that can be available for shipment in two months. The purchasing agent is told to purchase the substitute beginning in two months.

What are the legal ramifications concerning the four extra months of the derivative that has been ordered and that the supplier has already begun to produce?