Q: Can a store manager, salesperson or cashier make a "special deal" with the customer below the price set by the store owner?

A: The store manager, salesperson and cashier are all agents of the store owner and are required to act in his best interest. In general, an agent is required to follow the directions of his sender, and can take initiative only to the degree authorized by him. Thus, the store manager would typically be authorized to make even substantial "special deals" if he evaluated it to be in the best interest of the store; a salesperson would typically have some flexibility in order to secure the sale; the cashier would typically not be authorized to adjust the price other than for issues of small change. The specific application of this principle varies from store to store and from case to case. If an agent irresponsibly sold something below the price set by the owner, he is accountable for the difference. (See Shach 96:9 and C.M. 185:1)