The birth of the Internet in the 1990s led to the creation of a new industry of online retailers such as Amazon, Overstock.com, and PCM, Inc. Many of these companies often act as intermediaries between the manufacturer and the customer without ever taking possession of the merchandise sold. Revenue recognition for this type of transaction has been controversial. Assume that Overstock.com sold you a product for $200 that cost $150. The company's profit on the transaction clearly is $50. Should Overstock recognize $200 in revenue and $150 in cost of goods sold (the gross method), or should it recognize only the $50 in gross profit (the net method) as commission revenue? 4. Do you agree with Alphabet's reasoning with respect

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
10th Edition
ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
Publisher:Libby
Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
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The birth of the Internet in the 1990s led to the creation of a new industry of online retailers
such as Amazon, Overstock.com, and PCM, Inc. Many of these companies often act as
intermediaries between the manufacturer and the customer without ever taking possession of
the merchandise sold. Revenue recognition for this type of transaction has been controversial.
Assume that Overstock.com sold you a product for $200 that cost $150. The company's profit
on the transaction clearly is $50. Should Overstock recognize $200 in revenue and $150 in
cost of goods sold (the gross method), or should it recognize only the $50 in gross profit (the
net method) as commission revenue? 4. Do you agree with Alphabet's reasoning with respect
to choosing whether it reports revenue gross versus net with respect to these advertising
services? Indicate "yes" or "no," and explain.
Transcribed Image Text:The birth of the Internet in the 1990s led to the creation of a new industry of online retailers such as Amazon, Overstock.com, and PCM, Inc. Many of these companies often act as intermediaries between the manufacturer and the customer without ever taking possession of the merchandise sold. Revenue recognition for this type of transaction has been controversial. Assume that Overstock.com sold you a product for $200 that cost $150. The company's profit on the transaction clearly is $50. Should Overstock recognize $200 in revenue and $150 in cost of goods sold (the gross method), or should it recognize only the $50 in gross profit (the net method) as commission revenue? 4. Do you agree with Alphabet's reasoning with respect to choosing whether it reports revenue gross versus net with respect to these advertising services? Indicate "yes" or "no," and explain.
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