In the world of business, trading is a very important and primary process. This involves selling and buying goods. These goods have a certain price at which they need to be sold. MSRP and Invoice are two terms that deal with the prices of goods but are very different from each other.
MSRP vs Invoice
The main difference between MSRP and Invoice is that MSRP is the price mentioned on the goods, and the selling price cannot exceed this, whereas an Invoice is often regarded as the hidden price, and the retailers can sell a product at a higher price than what is mentioned in the invoice.
MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. It is also regarded as the maximum selling price above which the retailer cannot sell the goods. This price is mentioned on a sticker label present on the goods. It is seen in many kinds of goods but is most popular in the Automobile Industry.
An invoice is a price that is generally not shown to the customer and therefore is also regarded as the hidden price. This contains a very detailed description of the price of goods along with the taxes and other charges imposed on the goods. The customer can always ask for an invoice, and it will be available on demand.
Comparison Table Between MSRP and Invoice
| Parameters of Comparison | MSRP | Invoice |
| About | The MSRP is the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price. | The Invoice is often regarded as a hidden price. |
| Availability | The sticker of MSRP is often present on the goods. | The invoice is available on request. |
| Use | It is used in a lot of places but especially in Automobiles. | It is used in all the places |
| Value | The MSRP value is sometimes higher than the Invoice prices. | The invoice prices are usually less than MSRP. |
| Retail | The retailer cannot sell the goods at a price higher than mentioned MSRP. | A retailer can sell the goods at a price higher than what is mentioned in the invoice. |
What is MSRP?
The full form of MSRP is the manufacturer suggested retail price. The meaning of this term lies in its name itself. It is the price that the manufacturer suggests to all the retailers or dealers of that particular product. In no case, the retailer or dealer is allowed to sell the goods at a price that is higher than what is mentioned as the MSRP. This is also known as sticker price as it is mentioned on a label that is stuck on the goods. Anyone found selling the goods at a price higher than the MSRP are subject to penalties and punishments by the law. The term MSRP is very common but is more frequently used in the automobile industry.
MSRP was introduced as a method to regulate and standardise the prices of some items in various locations. This gives an equal opportunity to the dealers and retailers to sell their goods at a price that they find convenient and good for their marketing strategy but at the same time also safeguard the consumer from fraud. Consumers are free to negotiate the price below the sticker price, but in no condition they should buy it at a price more than the MSRP. In comparison, the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices are often higher than the invoice prices.
What is Invoice?
Another very popular term used while buying and selling products is an invoice. It is often regarded as the cost which the dealer pays to the manufacturer by buying the goods from them. This is where the concept of profit and loss starts. Since the invoice contains the price at which the dealer what the product now, he has to pay between the invoice price and MSRP in order to gain profit. The additional amount above the invoice at which the retailer sells a product is considered as the profit that he made with that particular good. This is the reason why the invoice is also called hidden price.
The invoice price is not available to the customer, but if the customer demands to have a look or a copy of the invoice, then the dealer is bound to provide one. In any case, if the dealer sells the product at a price lower than the invoice, then it is said that he went into a loss. There is a little gap between the MSRP and invoice prices where the retailer can make a deal with the customer on which will depend his profit or loss percentage.
Main Differences Between MSRP and Invoice
- The MSRP is the Manufacturer Suggested Price, whereas the Invoice is considered as the hidden price.
- A sticker mentioning MSRP is often present on the goods. On the other hand, an Invoice is only available when asked for.
- MSRP term is used in a lot of places but is more frequent in the Automobile industry, whereas Invoice is used everywhere.
- The MSRP value is sometimes higher than the Invoice prices.
- The retailer cannot sell a product at a price higher than MSRP, whereas a retailer can sell a product at a price higher than the one mentioned in the invoice.
Conclusion
It is important for the general public to be aware of these two terms. It not only helps the customer in having knowledge about the exact prices and charges of the product but also saves them from being a victim to any kind of fraud. MSRP is also regarded as the maximum selling price under which a retailer cannot sell the goods at a price higher than what is mentioned on the manufacturer suggested retail price sticker. This information can help the customers in cross-checking the selling price and questioning in case of wrongdoing.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296301002259
- https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2011-01-1345/