by Trade Discount
A trade discount is a reduction in price given by a supplier to a customer for purchasing goods or services in bulk or for regularly doing business with them. It is typically expressed as a percentage of the original price and is deducted from the invoice amount. Trade discounts are used as a marketing tool to encourage customers to buy more and to build long-term relationships with them.
Process of Trade Discount
The process of calculating a trade discount is relatively simple. First, the original price of the goods or services is determined. Next, the trade discount percentage is applied to the original price to find the discount amount. Finally, the discount amount is subtracted from the original price to find the final price that the customer will pay.
Example:
Original Price: $100
Trade Discount Percentage: 10%
Discount Amount = $100 x 10% = $10
Final Price = $100 – $10 = $90
The trade discount is typically applied before any other discounts or promotions, so it is important to be aware of any other discounts that may apply when calculating the final price.
In the process of trade discount, the seller has to provide the invoice to the buyer with the original price, trade discount and the final price, which is used by the buyer to make the payment to the seller.
Types of Trade Discount
There are several different types of trade discounts:
- Quantity discount: Given to customers who purchase a large quantity of goods or services.
- Cash discount: Given to customers who pay their invoices promptly.
- Seasonal discount: Given to customers who purchase goods or services during a specific time of year.
- Functional discount: Given to customers who perform a specific function such as displaying products in a store or providing a service.
- Promotional discount: Given to customers to promote a new product or service.
- Geographical discount: Given to customers who are located in a specific region.
- Volume discount: Given to customers who make a large number of purchases over a certain period of time.
- Trade-in discount: Given to customers who trade in old equipment or products for new ones.
It’s important to note that, some discounts may be combined, for example, a customer may receive both a quantity discount and a cash discount for buying a large quantity of goods and paying promptly.
Cash Discount
A cash discount is a reduction in the price of a good or service that is offered to customers who pay with cash or other forms of immediate payment, rather than credit or other forms of deferred payment. This type of discount is typically offered as an incentive to encourage customers to pay quickly and to reduce the cost of processing and administering credit or other deferred payments. Cash discounts may be offered for a variety of goods and services, and the terms and conditions of the discount may vary depending on the specific business or industry.
Process of Cash Discount
The process of offering a cash discount to customers typically involves the following steps:
- Determine the amount of the discount: The business will decide on the amount of the discount they want to offer, typically it ranges from 2% to 5%
- Communicate the discount: The business will inform its customers of the cash discount, through advertising or other means, such as signs, brochures, or through its website.
- Apply the discount: When a customer pays with cash, the cashier will apply the discount to the total amount due, and the customer will pay the discounted price.
- Record the transaction: The business will record the transaction in its accounting records, noting the cash discount and the amount of cash received.
- Audit the transaction: Businesses may audit the transaction to ensure that the discount was applied correctly, and all the amounts are recorded correctly
It’s important to note that some businesses may have different policies and procedures in place, and the specifics of the process may vary depending on the business or industry.
Process of Cash Discount
The process of offering a cash discount to customers typically involves the following steps:
- Determine the amount of the discount: The business will decide on the amount of the discount they want to offer, typically it ranges from 2% to 5%
- Communicate the discount: The business will inform its customers of the cash discount, through advertising or other means, such as signs, brochures, or through its website.
- Apply the discount: When a customer pays with cash, the cashier will apply the discount to the total amount due, and the customer will pay the discounted price.
- Record the transaction: The business will record the transaction in its accounting records, noting the cash discount and the amount of cash received.
- Audit the transaction: Businesses may audit the transaction to ensure that the discount was applied correctly, and all the amounts are recorded correctly
It’s important to note that some businesses may have different policies and procedures in place, and the specifics of the process may vary depending on the business or industry.
Important Differences Between Trade Discount and Cash Discount
| Trade Discount | Cash Discount |
|---|---|
| Given as a reduction in the list price | Given as a reduction in the amount due if payment is made within a specified time period |
| Taken at the time of purchase | Taken at the time of payment |
| Not recorded in the books of accounts | Recorded in the books of accounts |
| Not shown separately in the invoice | Shown separately in the invoice |
| Only reduces the cost of goods | Reduces the cost of goods and also encourages prompt payment |
Trade discount and cash discount are two types of discounts that are often used by businesses to encourage customers to purchase more goods or services and to build long-term relationships with them. However, there are key differences between the two types of discounts:
- Purpose: Trade discount is intended to encourage customers to purchase more goods or services, while cash discount is intended to encourage customers to pay their invoices promptly.
- Timing: Trade discount is applied at the time of purchase, while cash discount is applied at the time of payment.
- Eligibility: Eligibility for trade discount depends on factors such as the quantity of goods or services purchased, while eligibility for cash discount depends on factors such as the timely payment of invoices.
- Amount: Trade discount is typically a percentage of the original price, while cash discount is typically a fixed amount or percentage of the invoice amount.
- Combination: Trade discounts and cash discounts can be combined to offer a greater overall savings to the customer.
In short, trade discount is a reduction in price given by a supplier to a customer for purchasing goods or services in bulk or for regularly doing business with them. While cash discount is a reduction in price given by a supplier to a customer for paying their invoices promptly.
