MAP Violations

[jtorres_ssr]

We are a manufacturer with MAP policies on our products and we have noticed that there are sellers here on eBay that are selling below our set MAP pricing. How do we go about enforcing our minimum pricing? 

[richard1rst]

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@jtorres_ssr wrote:

We are a manufacturer with MAP policies on our products and we have noticed that there are sellers here on eBay that are selling below our set MAP pricing. How do we go about enforcing our minimum pricing? 

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1) Did they buy the products direct from you?

2) If so, did they sign a MAP agreement and was it made known to them.

3) If no to either question then, frankly, the Doctrine of First Sale kicks in.

If they bought direct from you then refuse any re-orders

If they bought direct from them then remind them of the MAP policy along with a reminder of the VeRO program.

[myfrugalboutique]

@richard1rst 

Do you think you could keep POLITICS off this board. we are trying to discuss business..not political hyperbole 

[bashort]

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@jtorres_ssr wrote:

We are a manufacturer with MAP policies on our products and we have noticed that there are sellers here on eBay that are selling below our set MAP pricing. How do we go about enforcing our minimum pricing? 

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 You and every other manufacturer need to try and understand that when you sell something to someone absent a signed contract that the buyer then owns the item and can do whatever they want with it.

[dbfolks166mt]

     The following will give you some information on eBay's VERO program which helps protect intellectual property rights. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/selling-policies/vero-policy?id=4349 

[itscalledapostingid]

Is ebay's vero program supposed to be used to enforce MAP pricing? 

[carlmarxx]

N0!  it doesn't 

[rfmtm]

You can not use the VeRO program to enforce MAP pricing.  OP has to have a contract with the reseller to enforce MAP terms.

[dbfolks166mt]

Is ebay's vero program supposed to be used to enforce MAP pricing? 

     Not directly. But it may pertain to the distribution of products through authorized distributors especially if those products are new. However, as others have mentioned for used items the owner is pretty much free to dispose of it as they wish for whatever price they wish. 

[itscalledapostingid]

Source: https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/ebay-for-business/verified-rights-owner-program

This is from the vero help page saying what is NOT considered a legitimate reason for vero reports so I'm a little surprised to see it repeatedly suggested here in the Community:

Ineligible reasons to report a listing

• Wanting to control where a product is resold by trying to enforce contracts or distribution of goods to authorized sellers (selective distribution).
• Not allowing the sale if items are below a controlled price point (minimum advertised pricing or MAP).
• Any terms a brand puts into their contracts that controls the way items are resold (contractual issues).

[kensgiftshop]

Are these sellers dropshipping from you?

Are they authorized dealers?

Did they pay retail price for the item?

Did the pay wholesale prices?

[dbfolks166mt]

Source: https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/ebay-for-business/verified-rights-owner-program

This is from the vero help page saying what is NOT considered a legitimate reason for vero reports so I'm a little surprised to see it repeatedly suggested here in the Community:

Ineligible reasons to report a listing

• Wanting to control where a product is resold by trying to enforce contracts or distribution of goods to authorized sellers (selective distribution).
• Not allowing the sale if items are below a controlled price point (minimum advertised pricing or MAP).
• Any terms a brand puts into their contracts that controls the way items are resold (contractual issues).

     Difficult to answer some of these posts since OP is apparently using a posting ID and there are no active listing or sold items. Nothing to really look at to get an idea of there issue so this was about the only advice I could provide. 

     No idea if the sellers items they reference are used or new, if the sellers they reference are distributors, if the items are domestic, international........   

[simba6]

If they are just reselling items they bought, you can't.  If they are sellers you supply to, that is between you and your sellers. You would stop supplying merchandise to them. 

[iamcara]

That's a signature and it appears at the end of every post he makes.

You'd like mine!

[short_circuit.lineman61]

Anyone know the difference between MAP and price collusion other than MAP is legal and price collusion  is not? Seems very similar to me