Vendors

[Barry_R]

Being a vendor myself,  like Barry and Brent... Your stuck with the MAP pricing. Because if you buy from someone who is on the so called black list ( for selling stuff under the map pricing ) they won't  warranty the product! Just a heads up on that.

The restrictions should be on the WD's for selling to price-cutter, then. I've been in this situation before on the manufacturer's side, so I get it. Just trying to accumulate parts to do 22 cars, so I look for deals when I can.

They do restrict the "cutters" - their WD deal gets pulled if they misbehave.  Most WD programs are behind the invoice using rebates, dating terms and volume discounts.  When the manufacturers realized that they could pull those away legally without stepping on the price fixing laws it finally became possible for them to control market prices and prevent some crazy predatory price actions by big retailers.

[Qikbbstang]

   I was a factory Rep for Milwaukee Tool, Coffing Hoist, Duff Norton, Perfecting and etc back when industrial tool supply houses were the only sources - no Home Depot, Lowes, ebay etc. All the companies were owned by the Amstar Corp "Domino Sugar". The sugar folks got nailed price-fixing internationally-Federally and fined big-time. (anyone remember a sugar shortage in 70s?)
   With Amstar being under the gun, every six-months I had to sign my life away stating I'd not talk to competitors, could not suggest pricing to distributors, could not even look at competitors price sheets etc. It's surprising how little a manufacturer can legally influence sale prices.  JMHO These minimum "selling prices" today would crumble like sand if ever challenged in court - but why bother $?

[Drew Pojedinec]

I usually match Summit on my stuff too.  As Barry noted, there are some companies that establish a MAP and you are not allowed to sell cheaper than that, or they will pull your card....Tremec, MSD, etc.

Support your builders....  I bought a handful of parts from Brent instead of Summit.  If he makes $20 for every $1000 I spend it's worth it to me as long as it's worth it to him.

[FElony]

I usually match Summit on my stuff too.  As Barry noted, there are some companies that establish a MAP and you are not allowed to sell cheaper than that, or they will pull your card....Tremec, MSD, etc.

Support your builders....  I bought a handful of parts from Brent instead of Summit.  If he makes $20 for every $1000 I spend it's worth it to me as long as it's worth it to him.

Not sure how a manufacturer could ever know about prices between a vendor and a forum member.

[Barry_R]

   JMHO These minimum "selling prices" today would crumble like sand if ever challenged in court - but why bother $?

They have been tested in court and have held.  The "trick" is that the penalty is behind the invoice.  The contracted or agreed to sell price to the vendor does not change on a part by part basis.  But the sweeteners (terms, ad rebates, volume kickers, etc) are all tied to published retail price levels as support items and are pinned to the overall package rather than part by part.  Seems to satisfy the lawyers and the judges even though it certainly skirts the fringes.

And true - individual sales to a given customer are completely invisible to the larger corporations.  But that's not what they are worried about.  The concern is mass market publication of highly discounted pricing, which reduces the perceived value of a product and brand, and which also puts smaller retailers at an extreme disadvantage.

[FElony]

   JMHO These minimum "selling prices" today would crumble like sand if ever challenged in court - but why bother $?

They have been tested in court and have held.  The "trick" is that the penalty is behind the invoice.  The contracted or agreed to sell price to the vendor does not change on a part by part basis.  But the sweeteners (terms, ad rebates, volume kickers, etc) are all tied to published retail price levels as support items and are pinned to the overall package rather than part by part.  Seems to satisfy the lawyers and the judges even though it certainly skirts the fringes.

And true - individual sales to a given customer are completely invisible to the larger corporations.  But that's not what they are worried about.  The concern is mass market publication of highly discounted pricing, which reduces the perceived value of a product and brand, and which also puts smaller retailers at an extreme disadvantage.

What about discounts on products that someone has named or has had named after them? 

While manu's keep their perceived value high, it enables competition from others that can profit at narrower margins.

[Barry_R]

What about discounts on products that someone has named or has had named after them? 

Be in the alley behind Ricky's bar.  Tomorrow night just before closing.  We'll talk...

[Drew Pojedinec]

Be in the alley behind Ricky's bar.  Tomorrow night just before closing.  We'll talk...

Sounds like he's still gonna "pay" in a non-invoice kinda manner......  well, guess everyone has their own special skills, good luck Felony!

[shady]

Try Midnite Auto Parts. Don't forget to use your five finger discount.

[Falcon67]

If you run 9:90 or quicker and are licensed to do so,  summit offers an additional discount. I'm not sure if there still doing that but I know the people that are already signed up for it still get the exstra % off. Could be worth checking into.

I have accounts at both Summit Pro Shop and Jegs.  And I don't run 9.90 or faster.  Yet.  Saves me a bunch.  BUT - I also tend to check with Brent and Tim Meyer for things - Summit and Jegs are not always the best price.  PLUS - our "local" (internet local) folks provide good support.