Many (perhaps most) buyers believe that one aspect of their job is to get a lower price than their competitors. Doing so should give their company a price advantage. And, if they are a larger buyer, then they are "entitled" to a lower price because of their larger volume.

Many (perhaps most) salesmen see their largest accounts as important enough to offer special deals not available to smaller accounts. Their goals are to keep this business and increase it where possible.

Considering how many buyers and sellers think,

1) Howmight their beliefs conflict specifically withprovisions of the Robinson-Patman Act?

2) Are there any reasonable ways a company could defend itself against claims that its sales policy was violating the Act?

3) What might a salesman do to put himself at personal risk of violating the Act?

4) What might a buyer do toput himself at personal risk of violating the Act?