Minimum Advertised Price, commonly called  MAP Pricing is where a manufacturer and its distributors and dealers agree that the manufacturers resellers will advertise that manufacturers product at certain prices, at or above a price set as a minimum advertised price buy the Manufacturer.

Definition:A suppliers pricing policy that does not permit its resellers to advertise prices below a specified amount. It can include the resellers' retail price as well.

This policy prevents resellers from competing on price, lowering the manufacturer's reputation as  high quality products. A manufacturer may do this because it wishes to keep resellers profitable, and thus keeping the manufacturer profitable. Others contend that minimum advertised price can be called “price fixing”.  Manufacturers defend retail minimum advertised price by saying it ensures fair returns, for distributor, the reseller and manufacturer. According to such agreements, retailers can usually sell M.A.P. restricted items for any price they choose, but may not display in any print or online advertising, a price below the Minimum Advertised Price.

MAP Pricing improves customer loyalty, product image and profits. Minimum Advertised Price or (MAP) requirements are common in the marketing world. Manufacturers often assign a minimum price point below which a retailer cannot advertise certain products. MAP pricing ensures that their product maintains a certain level of quality image and doesn't become known as a cheap product. A Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) Policy alleviates brand degradation and reinforces the advantages of products in the areas of quality, design, warranty, and service delivered by the manufacturer. It will protect stocking dealers from "unfair" online competition and makes sure that everyone makes money.

There are always a few resellers that will not honor the MAP set by a manufacturer and advertise these at a discount off of the MAP. If a reseller is caught advertising a manufacturers MAP product for less they may, or most likely will, lose the privilege of selling that line of product.

Here are the basics of MAP in a nutshell:
1 The Minimum Advertised Price is determined by the manufacturer or US distributor not by the final reseller.

2 Serious consequences result to the dealer for noncompliance i.e. pulling the line and not allowing the dealer to buy or sell their product and in serious cases a law suite.

3 Dealers are, by law, able to establish any actual retail selling price they choose, as long as prices lower than M.A.P. are not advertised in any media including the internet.

4 As long as price discussions between buyers and the dealer are private, in person, by email or phone M.A.P. policies do not apply as at that time it is not an Advertised Price.

Here at Valley Sports and More and on our website www.beatthebigboxboys.com we always honor any manufacturers MAP policy.