Top Problems Buyers Face When Buying MAP Monitoring Solution

Are you an eCommerce brand owner or channel manager or a sales manager struggling with unauthorized sellers undercutting your prices? Do you see your products popping up on marketplaces like eBay, Amazon and Walmart with suspiciously low prices and poor customer reviews? You’re not alone. We’ve spoken with countless brands, from billion-dollar giants to thriving mid-market businesses, and the challenge is consistent: controlling Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) violations is a constant battle.

From pet care to electronics, apparel to home décor industry – the story is the same. We have seen brands expand their distribution  only to find their products being sold by illegitimate sellers that tarnish their brand reputation and erode profit margins. If you’re searching for a Map Policy Management solution, you’ve likely encountered a sea of options, from free tools to enterprise-level platforms. Let’s cut through the noise and explore how to effectively protect your brand and revenue.

The MAP Enforcement Challenge

The digital marketplace is a double-edged sword. While it offers unprecedented reach, it also exposes your brand to unauthorized sellers who can wreak havoc on your pricing and brand strategy. These sellers often:

1. Undercut your MAP price. They offer your products at drastically lower prices, triggering price wars and eroding profit margins.
2. Damage your brand reputation. They sell counterfeit or damaged goods leading to negative reviews and customer complaints.
3. Create channel conflict. They frustrate authorized resellers who adhere to your MAP policies.
4. Dilute your brand’s search presence. They confuse shoppers with inconsistent map pricing across various online platforms like Amazon. This requires special map enforcement on Amazon.

According to industry data, brands that fail to enforce MAP policies can experience a significant drop in revenue and a decline in brand equity. The problem is real, and the stakes are high.

What type of a MAP Monitoring Solution Buyer are you?

Though hundreds of conversations, we’ve found two types of MAP monitoring solution buyers:

1. The Newcomer: Seeking Guidance and Avoiding Pitfalls

These individuals are new to MAP enforcement. They’re often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of online channels and the complexity of pricing strategies. They’re actively searching on search engines like Google, and Bing, and even using AI tools like ChatGPT to find solutions. They’re bombarded with many options, including free or cheap tools that promise quick fixes.

Here’s what they need:

1. Accurate Data: They need to avoid the “junk in, junk out” scenario. Inaccurate data leads to wasted time and damaged reseller relationships.
2. Guidance and Best Practices: They want to learn how to implement and enforce MAP policies effectively. They’re looking for expert advice on setting MAP holidays, determining which products to include in MAP agreements, and understanding regional nuances.
3. Time Savings: They don’t want to spend hours sifting through spreadsheets and manually tracking prices. They need a map monitoring solution that automates the process and provides clear, actionable insights.

2. The Experienced Buyers: Seeking a Better and Enterprise-Level Solution

This group has been using MAP monitoring software for years. They have established processes and teams dedicated to MAP enforcement. However, they’re often frustrated with their current solutions due to lack of data quality, tool flexibility and ‘getting stuck’ syndrome for their inability to get answers they want.

Here’s what they’re looking for:

1. Reliable & Accurate Data: They’ve experienced the pain of inaccurate data and false map violation alerts. They need a solution that provides accurate and trustworthy information.
2. Responsive Support: They’re tired of dealing with unresponsive vendors and rigid, inflexible tools. They want a partner who can provide expert support and customization options.
3. Strategic Insights: They’re looking to elevate their channel management game. They want to learn from industry experts and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape.

How to Choose a MAP Monitoring Solution for BOTH Buyer Types?

Regardless of which group you fall into, a robust yet flexible MAP monitoring solution can help you:

• Automate MAP Price Tracking: Continuously monitors online marketplaces and websites, alerting you to MAP violations in real time.
• Gain Accurate Data: Provides reliable data and SKU-level matching, minimizing false violation alerts.
• Save Time: Eliminates the need for manual price tracking, freeing up your team to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Protect Your Brand: Helps you maintain consistent pricing and protect your brand reputation.
• Increase Revenue: Enables you to enforce MAP policies, ensuring fair pricing and maximizing profit margins.

GrowByData: Your Partner in MAP Enforcement

GrowByData offers an Enterprise MAP monitoring solution designed to address the unique challenges faced by eCommerce brands. Our platform provides:

• Advanced Price Tracking: Monitors thousands of online channels, including marketplaces, search engines, and retailer websites.
• Customizable Reporting: Generates detailed reports that provide actionable insights into MAP violations.
• Expert Support: Offers dedicated customer support and guidance from experienced professionals.
• Automated Alerts: Notifies you of MAP violations in real-time, allowing you to take immediate action.
• SKU Level Matching: Provides accurate matching to remove false positives.

We understand that MAP enforcement is not just about technology; it’s about partnership. That’s why we provide ongoing support and guidance to help you optimize your MAP strategy. Our custom services allows you to analyze the dataset any way you want to answer custom questions you have. Our client services team answers questions you have and shares best practices other brand leaders have faced to add value. Through high quality MAP violation data, customized services and helpful client services, we’ve designed our solution be solve your pricing and channel woes and let you focus on channel health and growth.

→ Learn About 12 Things to Consider as You Decide to Use GrowByData

Client Success Stories – Restoring Fair Competition Through Effective MAP Policy Enforcement

Challenge & Solutions

A U.S. distributor of a French stationery brand faced rising MAP violations across major online marketplaces, impacting reseller fairness and brand health. GrowByData’s enterprise MAP monitoring system provided precise SKU-level detection, customized reporting, and executive dashboards.

Results

This led to a 39.5% reduction in MAP violations, ensuring fair competition and boosting profit margins. Key features included identifying compliant resellers, highlighting problem products/channels, and providing actionable weekly summaries. This demonstrates how GrowByData empowers brands to effectively enforce MAP policies and protect their brand reputation.

→ Learn More Details on How GrowByData Empowers U.S. Distributor

Ready to take control of your online pricing? Request a demo of GrowByData’s MAP monitoring solution today and discover how we can help you protect your brand and ultimately maximize your margins and revenue.

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