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Hey! Why Isn't That Price Fixing? The Real Story of Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices

Hey! Why Isn't That Price Fixing?

The Real Story of Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Prices

The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division receives many inquiries about price fixing on a variety of products, from appliances and home stereo equipment to toys and health care products. A typical question is: "I was shopping for stereo speakers lately and the brand I like is priced exactly the same at every store. When I asked one of the sales clerks about it, he said the store won't reduce the price any lower because it would be below the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Isn't that price fixing?"

While the question may seem simple, the answers are complex and specific to each set of facts. Illegal price fixing may occur under a number of different scenarios:

  • While it used to be that manufacturers could only suggest a minimum retail price, the U.S. Supreme Court changed that rule. Now, manufacturers may, under appropriate circumstances, require a minimum retail price to be charged.
  • Manufacturers cannot agree between themselves to set prices for their products. Agreements between manufacturers to set prices are generally illegal.
  • Also, different retailers cannot agree between themselves to set prices for their products. Agreements between retailers to set prices are also generally illegal.

A manufacturer does have a legal right to set a suggested retail price (a manufacturer's suggested retail price or MSRP). The manufacturer also has the right to terminate a retailer who prices below the MSRP.  Frequently, when prices are identical for a product at every store, it is because each retailer has decided to adhere to the MSRP.

It is frequently difficult to determine when retail prices are set based upon a manufacturer's pricing policies and when retail prices are set based upon an illegal agreement. The basic rule of thumb is: if the manufacturer's decision to set a suggested retail price and the retailers choice to adhere to that price are independent decisions, then it is probably not considered price fixing under the law. But if retailers agree among themselves that a certain price will be charged, the agreement will likely be considered illegal.

Consumers may contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at:

Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

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