Bribery Act

[erikag]

Hi

I have just started my own online gift hamper company and am wondering if the new Bribery Act will stop companies from buying customer gifts come Christamas. What do you think? Will it stop you from buying customers Christmas gifts?

Advice welcome?

 

[Merchant UK]

Hi

I have just started my own online gift hamper company and am wondering if the new Bribery Act will stop companies from buying customer gifts come Christamas. What do you think? Will it stop you from buying customers Christmas gifts?

Advice welcome?

I think there is a differenace between giving someone a gift and bribing them. But like all mickey mouse laws i don't think that you can prove between one or the other
Bernie eccleston seems to of gotten away with it for years, All the major House builders are getting away with it everytime they give a piece of land to the council in exchange for planning permission, large donators to government parties get away with it, when they get knighted or recieve a lordship for donating a million quid.

So i guess its just down to the Man in the Street who gives his boss a bottle of scotch each christmas for giving him work. - Shame on you Lock him up for 5 years

 

[BustersDogs]

I'm lucky - I don't give my customers gifts. I buy the dogs/cats some bisuits or a toy!

 

[hazeleigh]

No it will be fine.
Bribery Act not designed for you so dont worry!!
Michael

 

[NickD]

The Bribery Act will not affect a small trader in the way you describe. It just prevents UK PLC from selling to countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, China, most of the African & South American countries etc etc.....

Oh, and we shouldn't forget the European countries who do not follow EU rules (the rules we here, follow to excess that is).....

At the same time, of course, we are told that there needs to be an export-led recovery from the recession.

Hmmmm!?

 

[IANL]

No it will be fine.
Bribery Act not designed for you so dont worry!!
Michael

Please explain as I have received a letter from a customer ( a very large company ) stating that bribery will not be tolerated in anyway. Pointing to the new bribery act.

Giving a gift to someone could be construed as a 'Thank you for your past business and look forward to getting more business' What value is fair!? A bit of a grey area. I would get a written confirmation from the company that it is acceptable to give thank you's for business to employees.

 

[KateCB]

Many companies have rules in place for receiving' gifts' from suppliers; a company I worked for years ago sent hampers to all their large customers at Christmas, and it happened every year - they were not bribes, they were actual gifts - a thankyou for your business type gift. The tax man has various rules about the receiving of gifts, it has to be under a certain value etc.

A bribe I think would be if you offered a hamper/case of wine etc BEFORE you won that big order, or even a day or so fterwards maybe, but I don't think that the Christmas hamper will be affected. The larger companies will continue to do ti - but we may see a return to the christmas card and a diary type gift, as I think I read somewhere that the value of a gift from supplier to customer should not exceed £5 - that would be half a pot of jam then????

 

[Merchant UK]

Please explain as I have received a letter from a customer ( a very large company ) stating that bribery will not be tolerated in anyway. Pointing to the new bribery act.

Giving a gift to someone could be construed as a 'Thank you for your past business and look forward to getting more business' What value is fair!? A bit of a grey area. I would get a written confirmation from the company that it is acceptable to give thank you's for business to employees.

Ian,

If i was you i'd ask that customer why do they think its Bribery??? when you're thinking its a thank you, Strange??

Look at companies like Viking, the online stationers, They give free gifts but you need to place an order over £30?? Is that a Bribe??? or just a Free Gift for saying, Thanks for your Order??

This is just another Crazy new Laws which Costs us as taxpayers millions to make legal but impossible to uphold

 

[Advisor1]

Blue Bulb have a new online advice service in relation to this Act.

Worth a look at the overview that they give - that should give sufficient information as to whether you need to look at this in more detail.

Also, PWC give advice but very expensive, as are some law firms who offer a general compliance pack for around £350 plus VAT but you have to personalise it.

 

[3Atech]

It is serious thing in European countries but it is very popular that send high value gifts till to thousands of pounds for clients in China for business relationship.

 

[Merchant UK]

It is serious thing in European countries but it is very popular that send high value gifts till to thousands of pounds for clients in China for business relationship.

I'm looking for Business relationship with China, You can pay me direct to my bank account

 

[webmaster12]

Hi all,

The law firm was established as a boutique-style firm to provide upscale service to our clients while providing the personal care and attention our clients deserve.

Thanks.....

 

[KateCB]

Hi all,

The law firm was established as a boutique-style firm to provide upscale service to our clients while providing the personal care and attention our clients deserve.

Thanks.....

Sorry, did i miss the post you seem to be answering? Or is your post totally off topic/advertising?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

My understanding is that the new act is far reaching.

A bottle of wine, a hamper or tickets to the FA Cup Final could all be used to influence a buyer, client or customer. At which point does one determine which is a gift and which is bribery?