MAP pricing: Has it affected your buying habits (i.e. buying less, switching brands, etc.)?

Recent case law may indicate that unilateral pricing policies/vertical price fixing policies, as enforeced by some manufacturers, are in fact illegal...

In Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (Nov. 4, 2015), the court found that this particular type of vertical price fixing is illegal. Johnson & Johnson subsequently ended their unilateral pricing policy in 2016 (look it up).

Similarly, late last year the NFL was forced to remove the 'price floor' that they had previously been enforcing for tickets re-sold through the NFL Ticket Exchange, after a joint investigation by the Attorneys General of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, and the District of Columbia found that the NFL was engaged in vertical price fixing.
 
The way I see it, doesn't alter what I buy at all.
MAP says don't advertise below this price.
That can sell for whatever they want. Found a couple dealers that will do just that.
 
OK, I'll admit I'm confused :confused: (not a rare occurrence). My understanding was that, if a dealer was selling under the MAP on a regular basis, they would no longer be authorized to sell that brand (I believe specials and promos might be different). If you are right palonej, it wouldn't bother me but if my perception has been correct, I will not purchase those brands. :( Please advise.
 
katanas I think you are right. I am not sure if dealers are allowed to sell at whatever prices they want as long as they do not advertise these prices. Even if they can do so, I do not believe they will actually do, because in a long run, such a practice will result in (1) too low prices, leaving very lttle profit to make and hence fewer and fewer dealers interested in selling the brand, and consequently (2) the brand value is significantly compromised.

Enforcing the MAP policy is a win-win situation for both the dealers and the manufacturers. That is obvious. Yes - it will protect small brick-and-mortar stores, but I do not view that as the primary reason.

The MAP could e a good thing for consumers as well in a long run. This might be contrary to what most people think. Howver, if the value of a brand suffers badly due to a price war, consumers will likely turn to other brands with better value, so may of our beloved brands (Spyderco, ZT, Benchmade etc) will have great difficulties sustaining or even surviving.

Now, what if a manufacturer sets its MAP ridiculously high, like BM sets its grip MAP to $500? Simple - it will not sell and eventually no dealers will carry it, and it will be discontinued.
 
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