What happens if a signed purchase order and the actual invoice have conflicting terms?
Short answer: When two documents conflict, resolving the discrepancy generally depends on which document both parties treat as authoritative, any stated order of precedence in your agreement, and the specific nature of the conflict — the safest approach is to flag any discrepancy immediately upon noticing it rather than assuming either document automatically controls, since waiting can make the situation harder to resolve.
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List Free →Why conflicting documents create genuine ambiguity
If a purchase order specifies one set of terms and the invoice states something different, neither document automatically and obviously controls unless your broader agreement specifies an order of precedence — this genuine ambiguity is exactly why the conflict needs to be actively resolved rather than assumed away.
What to do the moment you notice a discrepancy
Flag the conflict directly and promptly with the other party, referencing both documents specifically, and get written clarification on which terms actually apply — addressing this immediately is far easier than trying to sort it out after a dispute has already escalated.
How to prevent this in future transactions
For recurring business relationships, agreeing in advance on which document type takes precedence if a conflict arises, and building in a standard process for catching discrepancies before they become disputes, reduces how often this situation comes up at all.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Keeping transaction terms consolidated within ScrapTrade’s recorded agreement reduces the chance of separate documents drifting out of sync in the first place.
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