What is the standard remedy for a non-breaching buyer under contract law?

The standard remedy for a non-breaching buyer under contract law is the "cover" remedy, which is reflected in the third option. This remedy allows the buyer to purchase substitute goods or services when the seller fails to deliver as agreed. The damages in this case are calculated by taking the cost of the cover (the price the buyer pays for the substitute goods) and subtracting the original contract price. This approach aims to put the buyer in the position they would have been in had the contract been fulfilled.

When a buyer opts for cover, this remedy helps ensure that they do not suffer more than necessary as a result of the seller's breach. It underscores the principle that a non-breaching party should be compensated for their losses without being placed in a better position than they would have been if the contract had been performed.

In contrast, the other options focus on remedies that do not align with the standard remedies for buyers in breach situations. A full refund of the contract price or the contract price plus damages might occur in a different context but are not specifically representative of the non-breaching buyer's correct remedy. A replacement contract is also not a primary measure within this framework, as it does not address the immediate need for the buyer to