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10 Replies Last post: Dec 23, 2008 9:55 PM by Maddeb

Establishing Business Credit

Aug 5, 2008 9:08 AM

Click to view AEP_Corp's profile Professional AEP_Corp 4 posts since
Aug 5, 2008
Hello everyone,

I am new to this online community and about to purchase a franchise. My question pertains to the establishment business credit. I have been to several websites that claim (for a fee), to start your credit profile, and help you obtain vendor lines or credit/credit cards. Has anyone used one of these services? Are they worth the money? Can you do it yourself just as effectively?

I want to start my new company out on the right foot, and separate my personal credit from the Corporation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Click to view Auto_Importer's profile Professional Auto_Importer 3 posts since
Aug 4, 2008
1. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 5, 2008 10:51 AM
I looked into several such services. Most had great expertise, but I found they were generally trying to build credit on D&B, which I found to be an unreliable and often costly firm to deal with.

One of these business credit firms did refer me to Trade Capital Company, who actually made a six figure loan to me just to hold on deposit and build credit (no credit needed if you agree to just hold the funds), with no personal guarantee. They reported it to Experian Business Credit, and of course the deposited loan proceeds didn't hurt my balance sheet either. This has worked pretty well and they are now assisting me in refinancing their loan with a major bank where they are posting the cash collateral.
Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,935 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
2. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 5, 2008 10:53 AM
Establishing Business Credit, Welcome

Tell us more. Who are you, Where are you?? What kind of Franchise??

Do you have a Business Name?? How about an Accountant??A Lawyer??

Do you know about SCORE?? SCORE is FREE

Good luck, LUCKIEST
Click to view JVCruz's profile Mogul JVCruz 47 posts since
Jul 27, 2008
3. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 5, 2008 10:57 AM
I, too, have seen an online company that claims that they will get you 3 business credit cards and a loan to establish your business credit profile for a fee of $297. It was a link on the Small Business Development website. I'm not sure on all the details because they want you to purchase their service first; however, there is a toll free number to speak with someone about it. Haven't made the call yet.
Click to view Milleisen's profile Mogul Milleisen 129 posts since
Aug 6, 2008
4. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 6, 2008 9:03 PM

In my experience business credit is not all that vital. Any loan that a new business is going to take on will rely heavily on the person/people behind it, so your person credit history is much more important. Especially without a track record of at least 2 years, banks will require personal guarantees and want to see some personal assets. Many big banks (sorry BofA) will not look twice at your loan if its a startup, so you might want to think about establishing a relationship with a community bank. They tend to place greater emphasis on getting to know you and your business. The decisions also tend to be local, which means someone can make an exception if you bring something to the table that falls outside of normal decisioning criteria. I worked for a community bank for 5 years, and I can tell you the we hardly got any good info from D&B reports. Your personal credit is much more important. Save your money...establishing a business credit report has minimal value.
Click to view AEP_Corp's profile Professional AEP_Corp 4 posts since
Aug 5, 2008
5. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 14, 2008 5:43 PM
in response to: Auto_Importer
Greetings Auto_Importer,

Thank you for your post. I have been to the companies website you referred to, and do not full grasp how this system works. What is your personal experience with this program? Thanks!
Click to view AEP_Corp's profile Professional AEP_Corp 4 posts since
Aug 5, 2008
6. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 14, 2008 5:48 PM
in response to: Milleisen
Greetings Milleisen,

Thank you for providing some excellent information. I have just gone through your website and will be contacting you shortly to discuss your services in more detail. Thanks!
Click to view whalteva's profile Mogul whalteva 39 posts since
Jul 18, 2008
7. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 14, 2008 10:20 PM
RUN, Not walk but RUN from these companies all trying to establish funding
for your business on just business credit alone. Complete rip off and waste of time.
I made the learning experience of "hiring" a company out of Denver ,Co. Access
Capital Funding. They charged me $2500 to establish business credit. They got me
3 tradelines, that I could have easily got myself, and that was it. Sure I had a 80
paydex, but that and a dime would get me a cup of coffee. Then when I called them
to see if they could get me any funding for my business I was told it's all primarily
based on my personal credit!!! Don't waste your money. I'm now involved with a company
out of Columbus, Oh. called Initial Underwriting Group. I am well into them now after spending
a very significant amount of money. Now, I have all kinds of charge cards for gas stations,
office supply companies,etc., but to date absolutely no funding for my business,and this is
almost 7 months of being with this company. Lots of false promises....don't waste your
money.
Click to view whalteva's profile Mogul whalteva 39 posts since
Jul 18, 2008
8. Re: Establishing Business Credit Aug 14, 2008 10:20 PM
in response to: Milleisen
Excellent post, Thanks.
Click to view ilyab0dner's profile Mogul ilyab0dner 63 posts since
Aug 27, 2008
9. Re: Establishing Business Credit Dec 22, 2008 1:33 PM
in response to: whalteva
There are a lot of companies that build business credit. No matter what they say, you have to build strong business credit first - and then there are a few places that can be approached in order to obtain minimal financing. Can't put the cart before the horse.

Building business credit is a great way to strengthen your overall business profile. Try to google "strong business credit" (just like that in quotes) to see all the companies that do this service. Keep in mind, it is costly and it will run around $900.

Sincerely,

Ilya Bodner
Small Business Owner
Initial Underwriting Group

Click to view Maddeb's profile Mogul Maddeb 36 posts since
Dec 17, 2008
10. Re: Establishing Business Credit Dec 23, 2008 10:12 PM
in response to: whalteva
I too wasted money on building my business credit. My business in near 2 years new, so banks wont even consider a loan without good personal credit. Please clarify about the Ohio company. Are you saying you've invested alot into them, but you also established revolving credit? or, that you recommend them as being a good business choice to help establish credit?