Gil is a Baxley Co. salesman desperate to make quota by the end of year 3. On the afternoon of December 31, year 3, he convinces a longtime customer with excellent credit to sign a contract to accept delivery of Baxley Co.’s Widgetron Deluxe. Gil promises the customer a deep discount off the list price that they can ‘hash out later’ if the customer is 100% happy with the product. Gil does not tell the customer that the company’s policy in such cases is to offer the maximum discount of 30%. The customer states he will have to consult an astrologer and a groundhog to determine if he is happy with the product. Gil oversees the delivery that evening of the Widgetron Deluxe. Should the revenue from this sale be recognized in year 3? Why or why not?

In this case, the client has a right to return the Widgetron Deluxe (the product sold). Apparently the client isn't even convinced that he wants to buy it and consulting an astrologer and a groundhog on whether he should keep it or not is not something normal. Gil didn't even tell the customer the price of the Widgetron Deluxe which makes things even more messy.

Revenue from this specific sale should only be recognized after the right to return expires or both the groundhog and the astrologer are happy with it.