Company buyers requesting gifts from their suppliers
Question:
Certain buyers purchase in bulk from our business on behalf of their companies (at which they are employed.) Generally, bulk buyers request a discount when concluding their purchase, or we, as sales people (of the company), offer a discount to them (due to them purchasing in such large quantity.) However, some buyers are prepared to purchase the goods from our company at the full retail price with the proviso that they receive some gift, or some token of appreciation from our company for themselves. Is it permissible for us (as sellers) to entertain such buyers?
Answer:
Any customer that purchases goods in bulk from a retail store generally requests the shopkeeper for a discount. This is the norm in our country, and it is for this reason that many local people have formed bulk buying clubs (that purchase in bulk), hence qualifying to purchase at a discounted rate. You, too, have stated in your query that you would generally afford a discount to a customer buying in large quantity when requested. Also, the customer acting on behalf of the company is aware that a discount is afforded on bulk buying, yet he did not request it as he was desirous of a gift equivalent to the value of the discount. Had he not been receiving a gift (in lieu of the discount), then he too would have ensured that the company receives the discount in full.
Now, the discount (afforded to bulk buyers) is a right of the company and should be afforded to the company in full. It is therefore incorrect for the purchaser to overlook the discount and take a gift (equal in value to the discount) from the retailer for his own benefit. You as the retailer or shopkeeper should afford the correct discount to the company (when requested) and not entertain the request of the purchaser as stated in your query. It is therefore Waajib to return the overcharged amount (which is the value of the gift) to the company.
دکاندار کمپنی کے ملازم سے کہتے ہے کہ اگر آپ کمپنی کا سامان ہم سے خریدیں گے تو ہم آپ کو اتنے فیصد کمیشک دیں گے – کیا ملازم کے لئے یہ کمیشن لینا جائز ہے؟
الجواب :- یہ کمیشن کے نام سے سامان کی قیمت میں رعادت ہے جو کمپنی کا حق ہے ، اس لئے ملازم کا اسے اپنے استعمال میں لانا جائز نہیں – کمپنی کو لوٹانا واجب ہے – احسن الفتاوی ص۱۰۲ ج۸
Yes, there is a way of overcoming the issue without deceiving the company. You as the retailer may invoice the items correctly at the normal wholesale rate or bulk rate so that the company is charged correctly and fairly for the items purchased. The concluded transaction in this instance will be in order. Now, you as the shopkeeper may gift the purchaser (as a token of thanksgiving) any item/s of your choice, only if you wish to, for purchasing from your particular store. This is an independent transaction from your side and in no way part of the previous transaction on behalf of the company. We hope that this clarifies the matter.