"From a purely technical point of view, a bureaucracy is capable of attaining the highest degree of efficiency, and is in this sense formally the most rational known means of exercising authority over human beings. It is superior to any other form in precision, in stability, in the stringency of its discipline, and in its reliability."

Assume the perpetual inventory method is used. 1) the company purchased $12,500 of merchandise on account under terms 2/10, n/30. 2) the company returned $1,200 of merchandise to the supplier before payment was made. 3) the liability was paid within the discount period. 4) all of the merchandise purchased was sold for $18,800 cash. what effect will the return of merchandise to the supplier have on the accounting equation?