Question

Gil is a Baxley Co. salesman desperate to make quota by the end of 2015. On the afternoon of December 31, 2015, he convinces a longtime customer with excellent credit to sign a contract to accept delivery of Baxley Co.’s Widgetron Deluxe. Gil promises the customer a deep discount off the list price that they can ‘hash out later’ if the customer is 100% happy with the product. Gil does not tell the customer that the company’s policy in such cases is to offer the maximum discount of 30%. The customer states he will have to consult an astrologer and a groundhog to determine if he is happy with the product. Gil oversees the delivery that evening of the Widgetron Deluxe. Should the revenue from this sale be recognized in 2015? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

The revenue should not be recognized because of the unusual and subjective terms under which the buyer has the right to return the product.

Explanation:

If a buyer of goods has the right to return a product, the transaction is considered a sale with a right of return. When regular sales are made under these terms and there is a reasonable basis for estimating returns, revenue from the sale ought to be recognized and an allowance for returnsshould be established.

However, when the  rate of returns cannot be reasonably estimated, revenue is not recognized until the right of return expires. Even though the goods were shipped in 2015, until the buyer accepts the goods or the right to return them expires, revenue would not be recognized.