Administration

Regulations

204 CMR 6.00:
PRICE POSTING (WHOLESALERS)

6.04: Discounts

(1) For purposes of 204 CMR 6.04, an item of distilled spirits shall be deemed to be different from another item if the name of the distiller, or if the nature of the contents is different even if the brand or trade name is the same; and an item of wine or malt beverages shall be deemed to be different from another item if the brand or trade name is different (wine) or if the name of the brewer is different (malt beverages).

(2) Except as otherwise provided in 204 CMR 6.04(5), discounts may be offered by wholesalers to retailers only on the basis of quantities of each item purchased and/or on the basis of time of payment.

(3) Quantity Discounts

(a) Distilled Spirits: Wholesalers of distilled spirits may offer to retailers discounts based on the number of items of distilled spirits purchased. Any such quantity discount offered by a wholesaler to a retailer shall apply to items of individual products and not to a combination of items.
(b) Malt Beverages: Wholesalers of malt beverages may offer to retailers discounts based on the number of items of malt beverages purchased. Any such quantity discount offered by a wholesaler to a retailer shall apply to items of individual products and not to a combination of items.
(c) Wines: Wholesalers of wines may offer to retailers discounts based on the number of items of wine purchased, whether or not such items of wine are purchased in combination.

(4) Time of Payment Discounts: Wholesalers may offer to retailers discounts for payments made within ten days from the date of delivery which shall be clearly stated on the invoice.

(5) Other Discounts

(a) Cumulative Discounts: Notwithstanding the provisions of 204 CMR 6.04(2), within the same calendar month period during which prices and discounts are effective, a wholesaler may allow a retailer to accumulate his total purchases of items for purposes of obtaining a maximum quantity discount, provided that the wholesaler shall keep accurate records of all transactions resulting in the cumulative discount.
(b) Pick-up Discounts: Notwithstanding the provisions of 204 CMR 6.04(2), a wholesaler may offer a retailer a reasonable discount, not to exceed one percent, if the retailer picks up items ordered from the wholesaler at the wholesaler's warehouse.

204 CMR 6.00