When a buyer exceeds their spending authority, the company's liability depends on the nature of the authority and the perception of the suppliers.
* DEF is only liable for an amount equal to the buyer's actual authority level: This is not entirely accurate as it does not consider apparent authority.
* DEF is fully liable for the agreements, as the buyer is an employee of the company: This disregards the limits of authority set by the company.
* DEF is responsible for the agreements if the buyer exceeded actual authority, but the suppliers perceived the spend to be within apparent authority: This is accurate as apparent authority refers to the authority a third party perceives the agent to have, even if it exceeds their actual authority.
* DEF is responsible for the agreement if the buyer exceeded actual and apparent authority levels, but only for a value equal to the apparent authority amount: This statement mixes concepts and is not correct.
Therefore, DEF is responsible for the agreements if the buyer exceeded actual authority, but the suppliers perceived the spend to be within apparent authority.
References:
* Contract law principles regarding actual and apparent authority.
* Case studies on organizational liability for employees' actions.