billing large corporations (no credit card available)

how to bill large companies that cannot provide a credit card number

[1lucas]

hi all,
i am interested in learning your opinion about what would be the best way to bill large companies for an online service (yearly subscription).

take into account that, usually, large companies do not allow individual employees (even high ranked ones) to spend more than 3 or 4,000 USD on their credit cards - therefore, how would you bill a company for an online service that costs more than 10,000 USD (for a yearly subscription), and is a recurring expense.

thanks!
Lucas

[LifeinAsia]

Send an invoice, ask for a check (or EFT/wire payment), then wait about a month for the paperwork to wind through several layers of bureaucracy before it finally gets to the accounting department, which will send the money to you (according to their internal payment schedule- assume that they pay on a net/30 or even a net/60 schedule).

[jwolthuis]

Life's timetable is pretty optimistic. In my experience, large corporations might issue a check around 90 days from the invoice date, assuming you're already in their computer. Otherwise, you'll need to first complete the standard paperwork and not-so-standard paperwork (ISO 9000 supplier quality assurance, etc), hoping that they consider you worthy to become a supplier of theirs.

[dpd1]

Yeah, considering that I've played email tag with corps for weeks over a $100 item... you're looking at some waiting and other BS to deal with. I just had one the other day where the employee told me a "check was on the way". Three days later I get a tax form from their accountant. I was like... You gotta be kidding me. This was for a $130 item. I emailed the guy and told him in a polite way... Thanks, but no thanks. I don't have time to fill out a three page tax form for some anal accountant, just to sell one fairly low value item. They sent a check the next week.

And if it's gov stuff, they treat you like you're buying something from THEM. Not the other way around.

But for 10k, I'd say it's worth the hassle.

[1lucas]

thanks everyone for taking the time to answer! very useful insights!