Retailer Account Types

When a retailer opens an account with a supplier, the supplier may offer different account types, not all of which are compatible with Pubeasy.

Account types might vary based on the type of retailer (bookshop, comic shop, other retail) and on the payment mechanism: prepaid via credit card, debit card, or proforma; or paid after delivery on receipt of invoice.

Bookshop accounts are commonly called "trade accounts". Invoiced accounts are commonly called "credit accounts" or "terms" accounts.

If you find that your account type is not compatible with Pubeasy, you can contact the supplier to see if you can convert your prepaid account to a terms account.

See below for common questions regarding account types.

What account types work with Pubeasy?

Trade accounts with credit terms are the best account type to use with Pubeasy.

Many Pubeasy suppliers will not link prepay/proforma accounts on Pubeasy.

If a supplier distributes both trade books and floppy comics, such as Penguin Random House US, they may have separate account types for each channel and will only link trade accounts on Pubeasy.

How do I know my account type?

We recommend contacting your supplier to confirm this information before linking your account on Pubeasy since accidentally linking a prepaid account may lead to order delays and confusion.

What is the difference between a prepaid/proforma account and a credit terms account?
  • When opening a supplier account, they may ask how you prefer to pay them.
  • If you pay when you place your order (generally by debit or credit card), this account type is called a prepaid or proforma account.
  • If the supplier has extended you credit and you have a set amount of time to pay after you receive your order, this account type is called a credit terms account (or simply a terms account).
How does a credit terms account work?
  • You apply for credit from a supplier using their credit application process.
  • If approved, they will invoice you after your orders ship, giving you a set number of days after the invoice to pay the bill.
  • Payment is usually made by check/cheque, ACH (Automated Clearing House), or bill payment; though some suppliers will also accept credit card payments.
Why do I need credit terms accounts?
  • Pubeasy suppliers generally require terms accounts (not prepay or pro forma accounts) to approve a linking request, though some exceptions may exist.
  • MVB does not take any payment on suppliers’ behalf.
  • For retailer security, due to the sensitive nature of credit card processing, supplier payment systems do not communicate with our order-processing service.
  • Even if a Pubeasy supplier is willing to link a prepay account, you might still be required to call in credit card information after each order you place.
How do I apply for a credit terms account?
  • Ask the supplier for a credit application.
  • If the application form asks how you will be ordering, select Pubeasy.
  • If you are applying for a new account, some suppliers require that your application includes an initial order; others will let you apply in advance of ordering.
Can I convert a prepaid or pro forma account to a credit terms account?
  • Yes, but you may have to meet prerequisites to qualify.
  • Some suppliers may require that you accumulate a certain amount of prepaid orders, be in business for a certain length of time, or have other credit references before you are eligible to apply for credit with them.
What are business/trade/credit references?
  • For references, you can use any business account where you are billed after the goods/services are supplied.
  • Example references include utilities, other suppliers with whom you are already on terms, and possibly contractors whom you pay after work has been completed.
  • Ideally, you provide the name and direct contact info for your credit rep at the company to make it easy to check the reference.
  • It is common for a retailer to consolidate all the normally requested information into their own “Credit Sheet” that they can provide to the supplier.
How can I get my first credit terms account to use as a reference for others?
  • Have a business bank account with several months' history set up to use as a reference for your first credit terms account.
  • Try to meet with your bank branch manager to discuss whether they would act as a reference for your business and how to improve what they might report to a supplier.
  • It may also help if you try to open a credit card in the name of your business, rather than using a personal card.
  • An account with a book wholesaler (Gardners in the UK, Ingram in the US, Raincoast in Canada) is often the first credit terms account that retailers open.
  • Other suppliers might also be willing to be the first to extend a small amount of credit (for example, Simon and Schuster in the US offers new accounts a $1000 line of credit).
  • Your first credit terms accounts may start you with a smaller line of credit than you might like (so you may have to pay more frequently than monthly to stay under your credit limit), but then you can request a raise to your credit limit after a set time (typically a year) if you have an on-time payment history.
What supplier should I start with?