Can I offer discounts or promotions without violating pricing laws in Montana? What are the requirements?

Requirements for Offering Discounts or Promotions in Montana

Based on the context documents, there are several requirements that must be met in order to offer discounts or promotions without violating pricing laws in Montana.

1. For medical care discount cards, the supplier must hold a certificate of registration as a supplier issued by the commissioner ^[1.2].
2. The medical care discount card supplier must not make misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent representations regarding the discount or range of discounts offered by the card ^[1.3].
3. The medical care discount card supplier must clearly disclose that the card is not insurance ^[1.3].
4. The medical care discount card supplier must provide access to a list of health care providers, including the name, city, state, and provider type, and optionally, the address and telephone number of each health care provider in the prospective purchaser’s or user’s service area ^[1.3].
5. The medical care discount card supplier must ensure that if the supplier claims that a specific health care provider offers a discount in conjunction with the medical care discount card, that specific health care provider is contractually bound to provide that discount to the purchaser or user ^[1.3].
6. For sales finance companies, the company must obtain a license to engage in the business of a sales finance company, including the purchase of retail installment contracts that are entered into in Montana ^[4.2].
7. The license fee for each calendar year or part of a year is $100 for the applicant’s principal place of business and for each additional branch location at which the applicant engages in sales finance company activities concerning retail installment contracts between retail sellers and buyers in this state ^[4.2].
8. For liquor sales to licensees, a reduction of 8% of the posted price of liquor sold at an agency liquor store must be made for sales of liquor to a licensee purchasing liquor in unbroken case lots ^[6.2].

Conclusion

In order to offer discounts or promotions without violating pricing laws in Montana, it is important to meet the specific requirements for medical care discount cards, sales finance companies, and liquor sales. For medical care discount cards, the supplier must hold a certificate of registration, not make misleading representations, clearly disclose that the card is not insurance, provide access to a list of health care providers, and ensure that specific providers are contractually bound to provide discounts. Sales finance companies must obtain a license and pay a license fee, and liquor sales to licensees must follow specific reduction requirements.

Source(s):

• [1.2] Sale of medical care discount card by unregistered supplier prohibited – requirements for registration – list of authorized enrollers required – exceptions
• [1.3] Unlawful acts by medical care discount card suppliers or enrollers
• [4.2] Department authorized to participate in nationwide licensing system for purposes of licensing sales finance companies – rulemaking
• [6.2] Reduction for quantity sales of liquor

Jurisdiction

Montana

• General