Post-Audit Recovery: Are Retailers Keeping Money That Should Be Yours? | Jon Allen

You sold the product. You invoiced the retailer. You should get paid, right?

Not so fast.

Post-audit deductions happen months or even years after a sale when retailers go back and review invoices to look for discrepancies. They claim they were overcharged, discounts weren’t applied correctly, or you didn’t meet contract terms—and then they take back the money. No warning. No discussion. Just gone.

Why This Is a Huge Problem for Suppliers

Retailers reclaim millions this way every year. One Fortune 500 retailer collected $1.2 billion in post-audit deductions in a single year.
It’s hard to dispute. These deductions can be buried in vague reports, making them nearly impossible for suppliers to challenge without experts.
It’s often unjustified. Many of these deductions aren’t legitimate, but if you don’t fight them, you won’t get your money back.

What Can You Do?

Track every invoice carefully. Keep meticulous records so you can spot discrepancies fast.
Work with a deduction recovery expert. A company like Woodridge (or our partners) can analyze your post-audit deductions and fight to get back what’s yours.
Don’t assume retailers are always right. Many suppliers just write off these deductions as “the cost of doing business.” That’s a mistake. Challenge them, and you’ll often win.

If your brand is losing money to post-audit deductions, it’s time to take action because every dollar reclaimed is a dollar back in your pocket. Contact us.