How to Start Getting Business Credit

A vendor line of credit is when a company (vendor) extends a line of credit to your business on "Net 15, 30, 60 or 90" day terms. This means that you can purchase their products or services up to a maximum dollar amount and you have 15, 30, 60 or 90 days to pay the bill in full. So if you're set-up on Net 30 terms and were to purchase $300 worth of goods today, then that $300 is due within the next 30 days.

You can get products and services for your business needs and defer the payment on those for 30 days, thereby easing cash flow. And some vendors will approve your company for Net 30 payment terms upon verification of as little as an EIN number and 411 listing.

Always apply first without using your SSN. Some vendors will request it and some will even tell you on the phone they need to have it, but submit first without it. Many don't even know you can get approved without it.

Most credit issuers will approve you without your SSN if your EIN credit is strong enough. If your EIN credit is not good enough, you might be declined and they then might ask for your SSN. No matter what ANY credit representative tells you, credit CAN be obtained based on your EIN only.

You must start a business credit profile and score with starter vendors. Starter vendors are ones who will give you initial credit even if you have no credit, no score, or no tradelines now. Most stores like Staples will NOT give you initial starter credit so DON'T even try applying.

Most stores will NOT approve a business owner for business credit unless the owner has an established credit profile and score, just like in the consumer world. Vendor accounts must be used first to establish a profile and score, and then store credit can be obtained. It usually takes only 90 days or less to establish a score and profile with trade lines.

Get approved for Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AMEX cards with limits of $5k-10k once you have 10 payment experiences established. Dell is notorious for issuing higher limits, so apply for them only after getting approved for other revolving store cards. Limits equal to highest store credit card on report.

Continue to use and grow your credit to get access to even more business cash credit for your company.