Legal Question in Business Law in Missouri

Selling wholesale parts to specific people only

I'm a contracted service rep with a company that manufactures and sells automotive equipment. I service the equipment and sell parts in order to repair equipment. The company says they cannot legally sell only to me but are required by law to sell to anyone who asks to order parts. i.e. other independant repair people, etc.

Question: Can this private company legally sell ONLY to us reps and no one else? i.e. can they dictate who they will and will not sell parts to without issue?

Thanks! ---name removed--


Asked on 7/31/06, 11:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Selling wholesale parts to specific people only

Generally speaking, a company can decide not to do business with someone as long as the decision is not based upon illegal discrimination on such bases as race, religion, gender, etc.

There are some exceptions to this rule. One possibility that leaps to mind is that there may be a court order or consent decree from an antitrust lawsuit which limits the manufacturer's discretion in this area.

I would need more facts before I could give you a better answer.

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Answered on 7/31/06, 11:57 pm


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