spokesperson for goodbuyguys.com

A classic concept in business is that “the seller sets the terms”. That means that the seller (the one that has an item or service that you want to buy) sets the terms (the price, the delivery date, the time when payment is due) and the buyer can either accept those terms, negotiate for something that they think is more favorable, or walk away. It’s been done that way for years.

We offer very liberal terms to customers to whom we extend credit. We’ll ship your orders today and give you 30 days to pay. In the business world, that’s called NET 30. We are extended the same terms from our suppliers and the manufacturers we represent, and when things are working as they should we are able to pay them in a timely manner because that’s how our customers pay us.

Recently, we have noticed a really troubling trend among more and more of our customers. Those that have had credit with us for years have started sending us orders with terms of NET 45 or even NET 60 as when they intended to pay us.

They don’t ask for extended terms. They don’t negotiate for a more favorable (for them) payment schedule. They just dictate that the terms have changed.

We regularly reject these orders (Even after 28 years, it is painful to turn down business) and have even had to cut a few long time customers loose. We hate it, but we have no choice.

One or two major players (buyers) who think that they can unilaterally change payment terms has the potential to put a system in jeopardy that really helps drive our nation’s economic engine.

Small business needs to stand their ground and continue to “set the terms”.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Pro Tapes gaffers tape, Bluecolt flashlights, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and HB extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands.

The stuff we sell is heavy. Gaffers tape is heavy. Batteries are heavy. Microphone stands are really heavy.

When you place an order with us, our web sites interface with UPS and your shipping costs are calculated based on the weight of the items in the order and your zip code (the distance from our North Carolina warehosue). There are additional costs if your address is residential or you want expedited shpping (e.g. next day air).

Those costs have a big impact on what you actually pay, and those costs are going to get much higher, very soon.

UPS has just finished negotiating a new contract with their drivers, the ones that are represented by the Teamsters Union. The numbers will astound you. There is a built in raise every year over the five year life of the contract and it means that many UPS drivers will be making as much as $25,000 more five years from now.

That $25,000 is going to come from everyone who uses UPS, one box at a time.

We think that UPS provides a good service, and will, in all likelihood, continue to use them. However, knowing what is in store with the regular UPS rate increases that come into play every year, it is now time for us to consider an alternative carrier for at least some of our orders.

Click here to get more information about the new UPS contract.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Pro Tapes gaffers tape, Bluecolt flashlights, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and HB extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands.