Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP) policy

Some manufacturers (such as AgraTronix, Anest Iwata, Bacharach, Flir, Ideal, Scilogex, Reed, Yellow Jacket, and more) have a Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP) policy, which stipulates that distributors are contractually required not to "advertise" their product below a specific price level. This is part of our contract with the suppliers to resell their products.

A Minimum Advertised Price is a minimum amount that distributors or resellers agree not to advertise below.

Why do the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) agreements exist?

MAP agreements:

• Promote fair competition across all distribution channels
• Maintain brand identity and value
• Allow smaller sellers to compete with larger retailers
• Prevent underpricing
• Protect seller margins

Although MAP agreements protect seller margins, price isn’t the only concern. Brand identity is also an important factor for retailers.

Consistent and controlled pricing sends a message to buyers: If you want a product from this brand, you’re not going to find it anywhere else cheaper.

The Truth About Minimum Advertised Pricing

Minimum advertised pricing only relates to “advertised” pricing and is perfectly legal under U.S. antitrust statutes. Essentially, any distributor is limited to advertising MAP-protected products at a certain price but is able to sell these products at any price they choose (often guided by the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price or MSRP).

Our Solutions to Your Benefits

There is currently no mechanism to display the actual discounted pricing on our website within the constraints of our agreement with these manufacturers.

Since our "Advertised Pricing" is available on our website to the general public even though our selling prices may be quite lower (much lower in most cases), we have implemented a range of special solutions for our customers to be informed about the actual prices we offer to your advantage:

• “See Price in Cart” or “See our Price in Cart” - once you add an item to our SSL protected "secure shopping cart", you are considered to have entered our "online retail storefront" and are no longer on our "advertising website", therefore the agreement is upheld, but you also see the actual lower pricing.
• “See lower Price” or “See our Price” buttons - the principle is the same, just even a little faster and more simplified - the amount offered by Mega Depot is shown instantly on the page.

• “Log in to see Exclusive member pricing!” - you have an option to buy products at much lower prices than advertised after you log in to your Mega Depot account.

• Ask our Customer Service Representative via e-mail, phone call, or Live Chat at any time.