MAP for Victorinox

[gadgetman7]

I know the Minimum Advertised Pricing is now in effect but I find it interesting that a lot of dealers are ignoring the policy, including Amazon. I talked to a knife store owner in Atlanta and he said that he doesn't purchase directly from Victorinox and doesn't care what they say. This seems to be the attitude with a number of dealers. So I'd like your opinions.  Do you think this will hurt dealers like Felinevet? Will you only buy from authorized dealers? Will the price increases hurt Victorinox sales? For example, a $20 increase in price of a Swisschamp. What do you guys think?

[Sazabi]

Technically, the MAP only applies to dealers; the venders that purchase stock from distributors don't exactly fall under the "dealer" title, therefore they don't fall under the MAP requirements.  At least, that's the word from one of my sources.

[Grant Lamontagne]

We had a long chat with Victorinox about MAP pricing two days ago and they have made the choice to institute this for sound reasons.  They will also be continuing to work at in in the hopes of getting everything sorted out for the dealers, but yes, in the short term at least, dealers like Felinevet will have a bit of a problem.

Def

[Magnus]

We had a long chat with Victorinox about MAP pricing two days ago and they have made the choice to institute this for sound reasons.  They will also be continuing to work at in in the hopes of getting everything sorted out for the dealers, but yes, in the short term at least, dealers like Felinevet will have a bit of a problem.

Def

price fixing so no one dealer can get a more dominant position and negotiate lower prices for their customers, do you mean?

[Benner]

We had a long chat with Victorinox about MAP pricing two days ago and they have made the choice to institute this for sound reasons.  They will also be continuing to work at in in the hopes of getting everything sorted out for the dealers, but yes, in the short term at least, dealers like Felinevet will have a bit of a problem.

Def

price fixing so no one dealer can get a more dominant position and negotiate lower prices for their customers, do you mean?

If Def says there are sound reasons, there will be sound reasons.

The good thing for Tim is that he has such a fantastic reputation and such superb service that customers, like me, will keep coming back again and again despite the slight increase in costs.

[gadgetman7]

I would agree except the price increases aren't slight. In some cases more than $20.  I actually do agree that it's price fixing but it's legal for the moment. (Another case is pending in US Courts) I think a lot of stores will simply choose not to be authorized dealers and undercut dealers like Tim. It will also likely increase the presence of fake SAKs. I don't know Victorinox's reasons but I believe this move will hurt them in the US. Especially in the chain stores like Target and Walmart.

[felinevet]

A couple of points I want to make:

• Yes, it will probably hurt FVEAP and others. While I appreciate and value loyal customers, I can't expect everyone to turn down a bargain elsewhere.
• I was slow in changing to the 2009 MAP on some of my items and Vic sent me a letter (Internet Compliance Division) telling me I was out of compliance and I had 10 days to comply (so they are watching).
• No sooner had I complied, then the 2010 MAPs came out and I had to change everything again (by approximately $2. more).
• Distributors (non-Vic) have also sent out required notices to customers (dealers) advising them of the MAP Policy.
• It is interesting that not all items are covered by MAP. Of the approx. 133 items in the 2010 catalog, 59 have MAPs. I don't know if others will follow or what the rationale is for that.
• I see that some eBay Dealers (I know they are Authorized Dealers) seem to be ignoring the policy which doubly irks me but that's the way life is.
• I don't like this policy but I will have to follow it.
• Bottom line - I will have to wait and see if I can stay in business or not.

[AHB]

I just checked a new Victorinox Climber at Felinevet costs 26$ with free US shipping.
Here in Denmark the same SAK costs 41$ plus 12$ shipping.
From my point of view you U.S. guys still gets a bargain and support a good cause..  

[felinevet]

I just checked a new Victorinox Climber at Felinevet costs 26$ with free US shipping.
Here in Denmark the same SAK costs 41$ plus 12$ shipping.
From my point of view you U.S. guys still gets a bargain and support a good cause..  

Luckily the Climber is not currently under MAP (except for the Silver Tech).

[Magnus]

can you not bypass it the same way amazon.com does?  ie, only give away the price once someone clicks "add to cart"?

[felinevet]

can you not bypass it the same way amazon.com does?  ie, only give away the price once someone clicks "add to cart"?

The policy specifically prohibits free "extras", advertising one price then giving a lower price by clicking, etc. So I'm not sure about the click to see the price.

[gadgetman7]

I know that many of us here will still support you but I think the policy is stupid unless Victorinox can control all of the retailers, and that's just not possible. Maybe the courts will set a different precedent and make the MAP illegal in the US. That would probably kill the idea. It's just not fair to good dealers like you.

[Magnus]

can you not bypass it the same way amazon.com does?  ie, only give away the price once someone clicks "add to cart"?

The policy specifically prohibits free "extras", advertising one price then giving a lower price by clicking, etc. So I'm not sure about the click to see the price.

Well, all I know is that amazon do not advertise a price at all, maybe that is how they get around it?