MAP Pricing & Insurance Discounts

[PAkev]

There are a few vendors of which we have signed MAP (Manufacturers Authorized Pricing) agreements upon taking on their product line. These are mostly sunwear lines and prohibit selling the product at a discount. However, we also participate with a few insurances that require us to sell frames at a discount.


I know it's just a matter of time before someone complains we won't sell them an ophthalmic sunwear frame at a discount.
Personally, I could live with the MAP price a lot better than accepting the insurers measley payment.


I'm just inquiring if anyone here on Optiboard has any experience in dealing with conflicting agreements or contracts.

[HarryChiling]

We carry the Maui Jims and every now and again we get a patient who wants them at the insurance discount. We tell them "NO" absolutely "NO". We have had 2 people over the last 1 1/2 years call their insurance company, and we tell them "NO" absolutely "NO". When tehy ask we tell them we have signed contracts with the company never to go below a certain cost and if they would like to cover the difference we will allow it, but they have to pay it to the patient not us. So far it works.

[cocoisland58]

Love Maui Jims and sold a whole lot of them over the years. Stopped when they showed up at Costco. However we would on occasion have a "special" on ALL sunglasses. Price fixing is legal?

[Johns]

I gave up on "Costco Jims" as well. There are too many other great lines out there without being the frontmen for Costco.