Only An Ocean LLC (“OAO”) has implemented a Minimum Advertised Price (“MAP”) Policy (additional terms defined below), effective immediately.
Products have a premium image for excellence and innovation worldwide earned through extensive product and market development. Some Dealers may take advantage of this fact by offering OAO Brands’ Products as loss leaders or by promoting unfair discounts. In an effort to help protect our reputation and protect the investment of those Dealers that provide valuable services to customers OAO has adopted this Policy.
The Minimum Advertised Price also:
Includes all discounts, deductions, rebates and allowances offered (not including OAO rebates or coupons); and
Excludes all taxes and insurance charges to be paid by customer.
OAO, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether any Advertised Price is in violation of this Policy.
(whether charged, free, or discounted)
Are EXCLUDED From Calculating the Advertised Price. Shipping costs, if any, are excluded from the calculation. Free or reduced-price shipping is not a “discount” if the offer applies to all non-OAO Brands’ products
First violation: OAO will provide notice to Dealer to remove or stop the violation. If the violation cannot be removed or stopped (for example, an ad that ran one time previously), OAO will provide notice of the violation.
Second violation: For violations not removed after the first notice or for second violations, OAO will revoke Dealer’s authorization to purchase any SKU’s in the product family involved in this violation for a period of sixty (60) days. All pending orders will be cancelled and no new orders will be accepted for each such SKU.
Third violation: For violations not removed after the second notice or for third violations, OAO will revoke Dealer’s authorization to purchase any or all OAO Brands’ Products indefinitely and/or until OAO provides notice otherwise. All pending orders will be cancelled and no new orders will be accepted for the designated OAO Brands’ Products. OAO will take one or more of the above actions without assuming any liability. Each violation of this Policy is cumulative and will carry over to any updated or new OAO Brands’ policies. The consequences of each violation may take effect even if previous consequences are still running. For Dealers purchasing from distributors, this Policy may be enforced through a Do-Not-Sell List provided to all distributors.
OAO at any time, may unilaterally: (a) vary the Minimum Advertised Price for Covered Products; (b) vary the products included as Covered Products; and (c) otherwise modify the Policy.
OAO will attempt to provide prior notice of each new Minimum Advertised Price or change in the included Covered Products at least sixty (60) days in advance. While OAO will attempt to communicate all updates through notice, each Dealer is responsible for making sure that it is aware of the appropriate MAP(s), the current Covered Products and any Policy updates. Notice may include price lists, correspondence or may be made available electronically.
A Dealer (directly or through another) engaging in any of the following activities or equivalents in connection with any Covered Products is a violation of this Policy unless expressly authorized by OAO or unless otherwise directed by this Policy:
Using “lowest price” or “prices too low to show,” or an offer of a low-price guarantee or offering to match a lower price offered by another seller;
A strike through of any MSRP or “regular price” and/or the failure to show a price for any Covered Product referenced;
The price for a Covered Product does not appear on the initial webpage or the price varies between the initial webpage and an in-the-cart price;
An invitation to click, rollover, visit a location (such as a website, store, or showroom) or otherwise communicate to obtain a price;
Any promotion to group purchasers at less than the MAP;
Advertising or promoting a trade-in offer for any products in connection with any Covered Products; and
Tactics which OAO determines are intended to circumvent application of this policy.
Exemptions to the Policy are as follows:
Live telephone communication or individualized email (but not automated email or calls) in response to a specific customer inquiry;
In-store materials at a brick-and-mortar location that simply state the price the Covered Products may be purchased, including point-of-sale signs, price stickers, and hangtags (But not including signage visible outside a brick-and-mortar location);
Advertising and promotional materials (including printed catalogs) that cannot reasonably be modified prior to the effective date of this Policy or a change in the MAP(s), the current Covered Products or this Policy until revision is reasonably available;
An offer under one or more special programs (if any) designated by OAO.
A card benefit, coupon, or other discount, as long as it may be applied to most of the products offered by Dealer or, in the case of a category-wide sale (such as flashlights), most of the products in the category;
The accrual and application of “points” or other things of value in connection with the purchase of any Covered Product so long as the points are accrued from and may be applied to most of the products offered by Dealer in an equal manner;
The offer of any used Covered Products (rather than new)l and
The offer to a Dealer’s employee for personal use (not for resale).
This Policy is applicable to each OAO Brands’ Authorized Dealer located in the United States for all OAO Brands’ Products unless exceptions are made available by OAO. Any “FAQs” or information posted by OAO are intended to help answer questions only and are not part of the Policy. OAO will not discuss any conditions of acceptance related to this Policy. In addition, OAO neither solicits, nor will it accept, any assurance of compliance with this Policy – compliance is voluntary.
