The problem requires an analysis of whether XYZ Limited is acting as a principal or as an agent in the context of selling tickets for amusement parks.
Let’s break down the details provided:
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Sales and Marketing Company: XYZ Limited is operating in the amusement and entertainment domain.
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Role in Ticket Sale: It purchases tickets from amusement parks at a discount and sells them online to the general public through its payment gateway.
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Pricing Freedom: XYZ Limited is free to set the sale price of the tickets.
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Agreement Details:
- XYZ Limited assists the amusement parks/general public with respect to services provided by parks.
- Amusement parks are responsible for fulfilling obligations related to the ticket, including handling dissatisfied customers.
- Payments are collected by XYZ Limited from the customers.
- XYZ Limited carries the inventory risk for unsold tickets (i.e., it purchases tickets in advance, which may result in losses if not sold).
Understanding Principal vs. Agent
In accounting and business contexts:
- Principal: A principal acts as the primary party in a transaction. They have control over goods or services provided, set prices, and bear the related risks (inventory, credit risk, etc.).
- Agent: An agent acts on behalf of another party (the principal) and earns a commission or fee. Agents typically do not have control over goods/services or pricing, and they do not carry the same level of risk.
Analysis of XYZ Limited’s Role
Indicators of a Principal:
- Control over Pricing: XYZ Limited can determine the sale price of the tickets.
- Inventory Risk: XYZ Limited bears the inventory risk by purchasing tickets in advance.
- Payment Collection: XYZ Limited collects payment from customers, indicating a direct relationship with the customer.
- Ownership of Tickets: By purchasing tickets in advance, XYZ Limited owns the tickets before selling them to the public.
Indicators of an Agent:
- Service Fulfillment: The amusement parks remain responsible for providing the services and handling customer dissatisfaction. This could indicate a limited role in ensuring customer satisfaction.
- No Credit Risk: XYZ Limited is not exposed to credit risk, which is typically managed by agents.
Conclusion
Given that XYZ Limited:
- Sets the sales price,
- Carries the inventory risk,
- Owns the tickets before sale, and
- Collects payment directly from customers,
XYZ Limited is acting as a principal in this transaction. Despite the amusement parks being responsible for service fulfillment, the control over pricing and inventory risk are critical factors indicating XYZ Limited’s role as a principal.