Based on sales performance we returned $8,000 worth of magazine stock last month which was not due for return at that time. We had given the titles a good shot keeping the product on the shelves would have held us back from better displaying more successful product including product from the distributor in question.
The distributor disallowed our credit and said we would get the refund next month. They have the stock and the paperwork and our cash. The reaction from one of their call centre people was that “early returns are a privilege”. It took three levels of escalation and some pleading on our part to get the $8,000 credit allowed this month.
This happens all the time to newsagents. Payment for oversupply and a huge battle to get a refund for underperforming stock returned early.
No wonder newsagents complain about magazine cash flow.