Note: This is another installment in my ongoing Amazon Fundamentals series. -JD
What are MAP agreements?
As you continue your Amazon journey, you may start to develop relationships with product manufacturers or distributors, that allow you access to new products. However, many manufacturers require sellers to abide by MAP regulations. MAP stands for Minimum Advertised Price. A MAP is a price that all sellers agree to not advertise below.
For example, a sneaker company may set a MAP of $100 for its most popular product. This means that all sellers, those that sell in brick and mortar stores, through a catalogs, or on Amazon are contractually obligated to advertise this product at a price that is $100 or greater. Customers will never see this item advertised for $99.95 or $75 or any price below $100.
Why do MAP agreements exist?
Many brands and manufacturers use them to create a level playing field and promote fair competition between all distribution channels of their products. For example, Internet retailers can sometimes offer reduced prices than brick and mortar stores due to lower overhead. MAP agreements are also used to maintain level of a brand unity and identity. For example, a pair of shoes that are always $100 everywhere may be seen as more valuable and desirable than a pair that is $50 here, $75 there and $125 somewhere else.
MAP agreements can allow smaller sellers to compete with bigger retailers who have to abide by the same set of rules! They prevent repeated underpricing that eats into every seller’s margins.
As an Amazon Seller, why should I care?
MAP agreements allow for multiple sellers to share the Buy BoxThis refers to the situation where a sel… More with less risk of being undercut. However, you must be vigilant and watch out for other sellers who don’t abide by the MAP! In this case, it’s your responsibility to report these unscrupulous MAP violators to your sales rep! Violating a MAP can result in suspension or cancellation of wholesale pricing.
MAP agreements can feel restrictive at times as you don’t have the ability to compete on price. However, there are ways you can help yourself. If it is allowed by your agreement, create product bundles. These can reduce your direct competition and allow you to offer combinations of products that appeal to your customers.
I’ll go more into depth on MAP restrictions in the future, but for now if you have any questions about this basic introduction, please leave a comment or find me on Twitter, @SellerEngine.
4 Responses
Unfortunately, sometimes Amazon.com is the MAP violator. I had to fire a manufacturer/vendor because for over a year, they couldn’t get Amazon.com to compy with their MAP policy. The vendor never seemed to take it seriously.
Hi Cal,
Yes this can be really frustrating. I wish I had some great advice about what to do in this situation. In my experience, I worked to develop relationships with my sales contact and hoped that they could apply some pressure to the higher-ups.
And if it’s profitable to you and you’re planning on firing the vendor anyway, just break the MAP. I spoke with lots of salespeople who sympathized with me and would often say (off the record of course) that it was my best option.
I don’t recommend doing this if you really rely on that manufacturer or are worried that it might hurt your reputation.
Hope this helps some!
-Paul
I’m looking for a standard MAP agreement that I can have resellers fill out. Any ideas where that can be found? I find that if I can keep my resellers in line, then Amazon will (most of the time) keep MAP.
Great question! Through a little googling, I found this one:
http://www.neutralposture.com/_imgs/lit/forms/MAP%20Policy.pdf
It looks like you might be able to re-type it and put blanks in for the resellers to fill out.
Of course, you may want a lawyer in your area to take a quick look at it.
-Paul