
Each business needs financing. Vendor financing is one way to find money for small business financing.
Stretching out trade payables from, state 30 days to 60 days, is a pretty common method for companies to improve their cash flow. Usually vendors are not very happy when this happens, and some even voice their disapproval in no uncertain terms. Most businesses are small businesses and stretching out payables only hurts everyone in the long run. Think about it: if you are depending on one of your customers to pay you within 30 days, and that customer doesn’t pay for 90 days, it can significantly affect your cash flow. If it’s one of your major customers, the impact can be quite serious. You don’t have the cash to pay your bills and so a ripple effect is caused on down the line.
This recommendation is different. If you’ve established a good relationship with your vendors, sometimes it’s doable to get them to concur to finance part of your company by extending their terms for a particularly massive order for an extended length of time. If you’re a new company with tiny or no history, you could approach vendors showing them your business plan and documentation of orders you’ve already received. If the vendor is convinced that your company will be successful, and one of their superior customers in the future, they might be willing to give you a break now.
Another substitute is to guarantee the vendor that they will be your exclusive supplier for an concurred to length of time in exchange for longer credit terms. Or you can offer to pay slightly higher than market price in exchange for longer credit terms. This method can be dangerous, because it sets the precedence of a higher price. When the longer terms are no longer necessary, it might be a challenge to decrease the price you pay the vendor.
Occasionally, it’s doable to convince a vendor to exchange a trade payable owed to them for a note payable instead, or possibly an equity position in your company. If you decide to offer an equity position, document it thoroughly and have your attorney draw up whatever papers are required. Make sure you include a buyout clause in case you sell the business. If you don’t have the buyout clause any investor can forestall the understanding of the business.
Vendor financing is one option for small business financing.
