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SMD Authorized Dealer Policy

Effective Date: July 9, 2026

Steve Meade Designs ("SMD") is committed to maintaining a strong dealer network, protecting the value of the SMD brand, and ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace for all authorized dealers.

Participation in the SMD Dealer Program constitutes acceptance of the following policies.

1. Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) Policy

SMD products are subject to a Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) Policy.

Authorized dealers may not advertise any SMD product below the current published MAP price unless prior written authorization has been provided by Steve Meade Designs (WC Car Audio/ SMD Audio).

This policy applies to all forms of advertising, including but not limited to:

  • Company websites
  • Online marketplaces
  • Social media
  • Email marketing
  • SMS/text marketing
  • Printed advertisements
  • Digital advertising
  • Online forums
  • Livestreams
  • Promotional flyers
  • Coupons
  • Promo codes
  • Cashback offers
  • Rebates
  • Bundle pricing where the advertised value effectively reduces the product below MAP

The following are considered MAP violations:

  • Advertising below MAP
  • Displaying "Add to Cart for Lower Price"
  • Automatic discounts that reduce the advertised price
  • Public coupon codes reducing price below MAP
  • Strike-through pricing below MAP
  • Marketplace promotions below MAP
  • "Call for Price" or similar methods intended to circumvent MAP

Private negotiations with individual customers are permitted, provided the lower selling price is not publicly advertised.

2. Marketplace Sales Policy

Authorized dealers may sell through their own:

  • Retail storefront
  • Company website
  • Installation shop
  • Direct customer sales

Sales on third-party marketplaces require prior approval from Steve Meade Designs.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Amazon
  • Walmart Marketplace
  • eBay
  • Etsy
  • Newegg
  • Temu
  • Wish
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Any future online marketplace

Selling on any unapproved marketplace may result in immediate suspension or termination of dealer privileges.

3. Used Product Listings

Authorized dealers may not list new SMD products as:

  • Used
  • Used – Like New
  • Open Box
  • Refurbished
  • Customer Return

for the purpose of avoiding MAP requirements.

Products advertised under these categories must accurately represent their condition.

Steve Meade Designs reserves the right to investigate any listing believed to be misrepresented.

4. Confidential Dealer Pricing

Dealer pricing is confidential.

Dealers may not:

  • Publish dealer pricing
  • Share dealer price sheets
  • Reveal wholesale pricing to customers
  • Provide dealer pricing to competitors
  • Disclose dealer discounts publicly
  • Use dealer pricing in advertising

Dealer pricing is intended solely for the approved dealer account.

5. Dealer Account Use

Dealer accounts are issued to a single approved business.

Dealer accounts may not be:

  • Shared
  • Sold
  • Loaned
  • Transferred
  • Used by another business
  • Used to purchase inventory on behalf of another reseller

Businesses found purchasing for another reseller may lose dealer privileges.

6. Resale Certificates

Dealers must maintain a valid resale certificate (or equivalent tax-exempt documentation where applicable).

Steve Meade Designs may request updated documentation at any time.

Failure to provide current documentation may result in suspension of dealer pricing until the required documents are received.

7. Unauthorized Distribution

Authorized dealers may only purchase SMD products directly from Steve Meade Designs or another officially authorized distributor if approved.

Dealers may not:

  • Purchase inventory from another dealer for resale
  • Redistribute dealer pricing
  • Act as a wholesale supplier without written authorization
  • Supply unauthorized resellers

8. Product Representation

Dealers agree to accurately represent SMD products.

Dealers may not:

  • Alter specifications
  • Make misleading performance claims
  • Misrepresent warranty coverage
  • Sell counterfeit products
  • Sell modified products as new
  • Misrepresent product availability

Only genuine SMD products obtained through authorized distribution channels may be sold as new.

9. Branding & Intellectual Property

Authorized dealers may use official SMD logos, trademarks, product photos, and marketing materials solely for the purpose of promoting genuine SMD products.

Dealers may not:

  • Modify SMD logos
  • Remove trademarks
  • Create misleading branding
  • Suggest endorsement beyond authorized dealer status

All intellectual property remains the property of Steve Meade Designs.

10. Online Listings

Dealers are responsible for maintaining accurate online listings.

Listings should include:

  • Correct product names
  • Accurate specifications
  • Current images
  • Current pricing
  • Current availability

Outdated or misleading listings may require correction.

11. Customer Service Expectations

Authorized dealers are expected to provide professional customer service, including:

  • Accurate product information
  • Prompt communication
  • Reasonable after-sale support
  • Compliance with all applicable consumer protection laws

12. Compliance Verification

Steve Meade Designs reserves the right to monitor compliance with this policy.

Compliance methods may include:

  • Anonymous ("mystery shopper") purchases
  • Monitoring online marketplaces
  • Reviewing advertised pricing
  • Dealer audits
  • Customer reports
  • Marketplace investigations

Failure to cooperate with compliance reviews may affect dealer status.

13. Policy Violations

Violations may result in one or more of the following actions:

  • Written warning
  • Request to correct the violation
  • Suspension of dealer pricing
  • Suspension of ordering privileges
  • Cancellation of pending orders
  • Revocation of marketplace authorization
  • Permanent termination of dealer status

Serious or repeated violations—including intentional MAP circumvention, misuse of dealer pricing, unauthorized marketplace sales, or supplying unauthorized resellers—may result in immediate termination without prior warning.

14. Reservation of Rights

Steve Meade Designs reserves the right to:

  • Approve or deny dealer applications
  • Modify dealer pricing
  • Change MAP pricing
  • Modify dealer requirements
  • Refuse future orders
  • Suspend or terminate dealer accounts at its sole discretion

15. Policy Updates

Steve Meade Designs may revise this Dealer Policy at any time.

It is the dealer's responsibility to review the most current version. Continued participation in the SMD Dealer Program constitutes acceptance of any revisions.

Questions

Questions regarding dealer policies, MAP compliance, or marketplace authorization may be directed to:

Steve Meade Designs
1735 Industrial Dr.
Auburn, CA 95603
Email: info@smdaudio.com