90-Day Rule: Why Waiting Too Long to Dispute Deductions Costs You

Retailers are relentless about deadlines—especially when it comes to deduction disputes. Many give you just 90 days from the deduction date to submit your case. Miss that window, and the money is gone forever.

The trouble is, most suppliers don’t review deductions daily. The finance team might be juggling payroll, AP, and budgeting. The sales team is focused on new orders. Meanwhile, deductions—sometimes worth thousands—sit unnoticed until it’s too late.

A fictional example: A mid-sized snack brand ships $500,000 worth of product in a quarter. They get hit with $15,000 in shortage deductions. By the time finance sees them, 100 days have passed. The retailer’s portal is closed. The loss isn’t just $15,000—it’s the lost opportunity to reinvest that money into growth.

The fix? Create a weekly deduction review process with clear ownership. Triage high-value deductions first. Partner with experts who track and dispute daily, so no case ages out. The faster you act, the higher your recovery rate.

When the clock is ticking, speed isn’t optional—it’s survival.

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