Notwithstanding any other provision of law, two or more retail licensees of the same type may agree to group purchase distilled spirits and wine from a licensed wholesaler or rectifier through a designated agent, subject to the following restrictions:
(a) The designated agent shall hold a retail license of the same type operating a premises in the same county or counties as the purchasing group.
(b) No retailer shall have more than one designated agent nor shall an agent make purchases for more than one group.
(c) The merchandise purchased for each group shall be delivered to and stored in either a single licensed premises or a single warehouse located in the same county as the premises of the purchasing group and such delivery shall be a single delivery within two consecutive business days at the discount in effect on the day the delivery was commenced. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays shall not be deemed business days.
(d) A record of purchase shall be made by the agent on a master purchase order. Each purchasing retailer shall furnish the designated agent with a signed order setting forth such licensee’s purchase, to be attached to and become a part of the master order. Master and individual orders shall be maintained in compliance with Section 25752 and fiscal liability shall extend in so far as the amount of the purchase designated and delivered for each individual retailer of the purchasing group is subject to the provisions of Section 25509.
(e) The merchandise shall be deemed to have been received by each retailer member of the purchasing group when delivered to the designated premises.
(f) When a group buying member has not made payment in full by the expiration of the 30th day from date of delivery or has not paid the one percent charge at the expiration of the 30th day from the date the charge became due, such group buying member shall be expelled from the buying group and prohibited from rejoining that group or joining any other such group until such time that all payments have been received for the merchandise sold and delivered to such retailer more than 30 days previously.
(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1194, Sec. 7.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018