+1 to everything, and your AEC point is also something worth emphasizing.
AEC timing is probably making it appear a lot worse than it really is. If it stayed as is but came at 7m instead of 5:30m, that alone would give a lot of breathing room to Ostheer.
No. I would say it's a better deal. Air you breath is free. Someone giving you an extra sandwich from their lunch is free. What others are suggesting is just market-speak. Argue the price is wrong or the deal is too good, but it isn't free.