When is an offer made by a bidder during an auction accepted?

In the context of auctions, an offer made by a bidder is accepted when the auctioneer indicates the conclusion of the auction and the finality of a bid by falling the hammer. This traditional method serves as a clear signal to all participants that the bidding process has ended and that a particular bid has been accepted. The fall of the hammer represents the auctioneer's acceptance of the highest bid, effectively creating a binding agreement between the seller and the winning bidder.

The auctioneer's action of bringing down the hammer signifies that no further bids will be entertained, thereby marking the moment of acceptance of the highest bid made immediately before the fall. This is an established practice in auction law, reinforcing the importance of this gesture as a definitive moment in the bidding process. Other options present scenarios that do not hold legal significance for acceptance within the context of auctions, as they do not convey the formal conclusion of bidding.