Fair pricing. Protected margins. Stronger dealers.
Running a brick-and-mortar truck accessory shop isn't cheap. Between inventory, showroom space, trained staff, and installation bays, physical retailers invest heavily in delivering the service customers depend on.
The last thing a shop needs is to lose a sale to an online seller advertising the same product at a heavily discounted price.
That's why Pacbrake takes Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) enforcement seriously. Our MAP policy helps create a fairer competitive environment, giving local dealers the opportunity to compete on expertise, service, and value—not just the lowest advertised price.
What Is MAP Pricing, and Why Does It Matter?
Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) is the lowest price a retailer can publicly advertise for a product under a manufacturer's policy.
Without MAP protection, aggressive online discounting can quickly turn quality products into a race to the bottom, putting pressure on dealer margins and making it harder for physical stores to compete.
Pacbrake's MAP policy helps level the playing field by establishing consistent advertised pricing standards across retail channels, including websites, online marketplaces, social media, and traditional advertising.
Most importantly, MAP applies to advertised prices, not the final selling price. Individual retailers remain free to determine their own selling prices.
How Pacbrake Enforces MAP
A MAP policy is only valuable when it's backed by meaningful enforcement.
Pacbrake monitors advertised pricing directly and through authorized third-party services, identifying resellers who advertise below established MAP levels.
Our enforcement process includes:
- Ongoing monitoring: Online listings, marketplaces, and other advertised pricing are subject to compliance monitoring.
- Violation notifications: Resellers advertising below MAP are notified and given an opportunity to correct their pricing.
- Clear correction deadlines: Online violations must be corrected within two business days, while other advertising violations have seven business days.
- Escalating consequences: Unresolved or repeated violations can result in temporary purchasing restrictions, loss of rights to use Pacbrake intellectual property, or indefinite removal of purchasing privileges.
- Distributor accountability: Pacbrake maintains Do Not Sell provisions to help prevent restricted resellers from continuing to source products through distribution.
- Test Buys & Supply Chain Tracing: Pacbrake conducts test purchases from MAP violators to trace product sources and reinforce distributor compliance with our Do Not Sell lists.
Together, these measures demonstrate Pacbrake's commitment to consistent MAP enforcement, fair competition, and protecting the investments of our authorized dealers.
What MAP Protection Means for Your Shop
- Less Price Undercutting, More Margin Opportunity: When online sellers advertise products below established pricing standards, physical retailers can feel pressured to match those discounts just to close a sale. MAP enforcement helps reduce that pressure, giving shops a better opportunity to maintain healthy margins while offering customers competitive value.
- Your Expertise Becomes the Advantage: Customers buying air suspension kits, wireless air controls, or exhaust brakes often need more than a product in a box. They need fitment guidance, product recommendations, professional installation, and dependable after-sales support. With more consistent advertised pricing, local shops can focus on selling these valuable services instead of competing exclusively on price.
- More Confidence in Stocking Pacbrake: Inventory represents a significant investment. Dealers need confidence that the products they stock won't immediately be undermined by heavily discounted online advertisements. Pacbrake's MAP policy helps support a more predictable retail environment, making it easier for shops to plan inventory, promote products, and invest in their Pacbrake lineup.
- More Opportunities to Increase Every Sale: When customers recognize the value of buying locally, dealers have more opportunities to recommend complete solutions. For example, a customer purchasing Pacbrake ALPHA™ Air Suspension may also benefit from BRAVO™ Wireless Air Controls for convenient pressure adjustments.
By combining product knowledge, complementary accessories, and professional installation, shops can increase transaction value while delivering a better customer experience.
Fair Play Across Every Sales Channel
Pacbrake recognizes that both eCommerce retailers and brick-and-mortar shops play important roles in getting our products into customers' hands.
Our MAP policy applies equally to resellers, regardless of whether they operate online, in-store, or through both channels.
The goal isn't to eliminate competition. It's to encourage competition based on customer service, product knowledge, convenience, and overall value rather than excessive advertised discounting.
Because when dealers can compete fairly, everyone benefits—from the manufacturer to the installer to the truck owner.
Your Business Matters to Pacbrake
Pacbrake is committed to building strong, profitable dealer relationships. MAP enforcement is one part of that commitment, alongside quality products, technical support, reliable product information, and dealer resources.
We know that local shops do more than sell parts. They answer questions, solve problems, install products, and build lasting relationships with truck owners.
And we believe those efforts deserve support.
Want to grow your business with products backed by a manufacturer that values its dealers?
Explore the Pacbrake Dealer Program or review our MAP Policy to learn more.
Pacbrake's MAP policy governs advertised pricing only. Each reseller independently determines its actual selling prices. MAP enforcement helps support dealer margins but does not guarantee any particular resale margin or profit.
