Connect-Ease® has unilaterally established a policy regarding the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) of the Connect-Ease® line of products (“Connect-Ease® Products”) which are sold or distributed in the United States. Connect-Ease® has invested significant resources in product innovation, development, and marketing to build and maintain its reputation for high-quality and to generate goodwill in all Connect-Ease® brands. Connect-Ease® believes implementation of a MAP policy is necessary for Connect-Ease® to maintain its reputation for high-quality product, preserve its brand image and ensure distributors and retailers provide effective marketing and technical support. This MAP policy is effective as of January 1, 2024 and supersedes all prior Connect-Ease® MAP policies regarding Connect-Ease® Products.

 

This MAP policy applies to all advertisements of Connect-Ease® Products. “Advertising” under this policy means a public announcement position a Connect-Ease® product in any form including, without limitation, to: flyers; posters; coupons; mailers; inserts; text messages; television; fax; radio; and public signage. This MAP policy also supplies all Connect-Ease® Products sold via any retailers’ website including, but not limited to, an original company website and/or any and all affiliate websites where retailers advertise Connect-Ease® Products electronically.

 

The MAP is based on the net advertised price (i.e. net of all discounts, rebates, etc.) for all Connect-Ease® Products. A list of MAP prices will be posted on the Connect-Ease® website (www.connect-ease.com) and may be updated or modified from time to time by Connect-Ease® in its sole discretion. This policy does not apply to the actual price at which Connect-Ease® Products are sold by any retailer, distributor, or any other reseller of Connect-Ease® Products (collectively referred to as “retailers”). A retailer is free to determine its actual retail price for Connect-Ease® Products.

 

Policy Compliance

 

Any attempt to reduce the net advertised price below the applicable MAP for that product will be considered a violation of the MAP policy. Such attempts to advertise a net price below MAP may include but are not limited to:

 

 

 

 

Policy Violations

 

Connect-Ease® shall determine any noncompliance of this MAP policy, in its sole discretion. In the event a retailer chooses not to comply with this MAP policy, Connect-Ease® has the unilateral right to take any action it deems, in its sole discretion, appropriate including, but not limited to: (a) refusing to accept orders related to the any non-complying retailer for any given period of time; and/or (b) terminating the business relationship altogether or adding a non-compliant retailer to the Connect-Ease® “Do Not Sell To” List. Connect-Ease® will have full control to enforce a “Do Not Sell To” List in its distribution network in order to protect its MAP pricing, preferred pricing, and preferred customer margins.

 

As part of the Company’s monitoring of this MAP Policy, Connect-Ease® and its partners may, from time to time, utilize a range of human and computer technologies to monitor the pricing and placement of Company products across the Internet. This monitoring may include, without limitation, visiting the website(s) of any retailer and/or tracking compliance with the MAP Policy by any retailer through third-parties. Any attempt by a Reseller to redirect, mask, or otherwise interfere with these monitoring efforts or any other enforcement of the MAP Policy will be considered an express violation of the MAP Policy.

 

Exceptions

 

The Connect-Ease® MAP policy does not apply to the following (exceptions):

 

 

 

 

Unilateral Nature of Policy

 

This MAP policy has been unilaterally developed and adopted by Connect-Ease®, in its sole discretion and will be unilaterally enforced by Connect-Ease®. The business relationship between Connect-Ease® and each of its retailers remains an “at will” business relationship. Connect-Ease® reserves the right to terminate such business relationships without cause and at any time. Nothing in this MAP policy is intended to be a contract or agreement between Connect-Ease® and any of its retailers as to the terms of this MAP policy. Connect-Ease® will not enter into any discussions with any retailers as to the terms of this MAP policy, as it is non-negotiable, and will not be altered for any retailers. Connect-Ease® does not seek, nor will it accept, any agreement or assent from its retailers respecting this MAP Policy. Connect-Ease® reserves the right, at any time, to modify this policy, to establish new or different policies or to discontinue any or all such policies.

 

Contract/Contact Information

 

Connect-Ease® sales personnel have no authority to modify or grant exceptions to the MAP policy or have any communications with any retailers regarding the terms or non-compliance with this MAP policy. All questions or comments regarding this MAP policy are to be directed to cmunkvold@connect-easellc.com.

 

 

Connect-Ease LLC 22050 Panama Ave Prior Lake MN 55372 Customercare@connect-easellc.com