Re: MAP Pricing Structure
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BasraBoy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Driftwood</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The MAP concept is the manufacturing industries attempt to prevent the free market system from correcting the price of product. </div></div>
As a manufacturer of a product not associated with shooting - i would have to say I disagree 100% with your view.
Experince has told me that, in any business, there are always those who are prepared to drop prices on certain product in their portfolio to attract customers to other product they sell - even if this means making a loss on the undersold items.
The nett effect may be beneficial to the retailer following this path (it is a numbers game) but the overall effect to the manufacturer, other retailers of the same product and the buyers is that the brand that is singled out for discounted selling suffers and it's reputation/viability takes a knock that cannot easily be recovered.
We therefore run an MAP. Dealers or Dsitributors who don't want to agree to this, don't have to sell our products, those that do then don't abide by the MAP get fired. It's simple.
The MAP policy is designed to protect the interests of all who invest in the product....including the users!
It is NOT price fixing, it does not prevent distributors or dealers doing deals face-to-face wit their customers. What it is is a Minimum <span style="color: #CC0000">ADVERTISED</span> Price Policy - designed to prevent price dumping /unfair competition or grey imports (especially in e-commerce environments).
Sadly there are always those who want something for nothing (life is tough, get over it!) or those who will seek to grab an advantage over others despite the effect their greed and stupidity has on legitimate businesses.
Bottom line is: if you want high quality, you should be prepared to pay a fair price for it and support those who provide it!
Rant over! </div></div>
I agree with you but the real issue is the bastard child of MAP which is resale price maintenance. RPM is price fixing, it is un-American, and it is soon to be illegal. I have no problem with MAP. But let's not confuse MAP with the real issue which is RPM.
Theories of Harm from Resale Price Maintenance