How To Fix ME328 - Effective price becomes negative (Please correct)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 328

• Message text: Effective price becomes negative (Please correct)

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME328 - Effective price becomes negative (Please correct) ?

  The SAP error message ME328, which states "Effective price becomes negative (Please correct)," typically occurs during the processing of purchasing documents, such as purchase orders or purchase requisitions. This error indicates that the system has calculated an effective price for a material or service that is negative, which is not permissible in SAP.
  Causes:
  
  
  Incorrect Pricing Conditions: The pricing conditions set up in the system may be incorrect, leading to a negative effective price. This can happen if discounts, surcharges, or other pricing elements are not configured properly.
  
  
  Negative Quantity: If the quantity of the item is negative or if there are returns being processed incorrectly, it can lead to a negative effective price.
  
  
  Incorrectly Configured Info Records: If the info record for the material has incorrect pricing information, it can lead to this error.
  
  
  Manual Price Entry: If a user manually enters a price that is lower than the total costs or discounts applied, it can result in a negative effective price.
  
  
  Currency Issues: If there are currency conversion issues or if the currency settings are not aligned properly, it can lead to incorrect price calculations.
  
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Review Pricing Conditions: Check the pricing conditions in the purchase order or requisition. Ensure that all conditions (discounts, surcharges, etc.) are set up correctly and that they do not lead to a negative price.
  
  
  Check Quantity: Verify the quantities entered in the purchase order. Ensure that they are positive and reflect the intended transaction.
  
  
  Update Info Records: Review and update the info records for the material to ensure that the pricing information is accurate and reflects the current agreements with the vendor.
  
  
  Manual Price Correction: If a manual price entry is causing the issue, correct the price to ensure it is not lower than the total costs after applying discounts and surcharges.
  
  
  Currency Settings: Check the currency settings in the purchasing document and ensure that they are consistent with the master data and pricing conditions.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If the issue persists, consult SAP documentation or reach out to your SAP support team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME22N (Change Purchase Order), or ME23N (Display Purchase Order) to review and correct the purchase documents.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  User Exits and Enhancements: If your organization has custom enhancements or user exits, ensure that they are not affecting the pricing calculations.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the ME328 error and implement the necessary corrections to resolve it.