printing for larger companies

[Geneva Olson]

Has anyone seen this one from a customer and what is your position on it?

We are requesting that you enroll in our vendor credentialing program administered by RealPage Vendor Credentialing. They specialize in managing the credentialing process by reviewing and storing documents such as insurance certificates, licenses and W-9's.

The annual enrollment fee is $109 for vendors that perform services on site or $85 for vendors that do not perform services at a property location, plus any applicable Sales Tax.

 

[Boudica]

I would ignore it.

 

[Geneva Olson]

I would ignore it.

This request was made by one of our customers. We had to talk to them about this and we came to an agreement. They are cutting us a check without this option. But, I was wondering how many sign businesses have seen this with their customers.

 

[Joe House]

Bill the customer $200 for the enrollment fee (whether they see it or not) and all is good, otherwise we opted to not do business with the customers that insisted on putting a lot of hoops for us to jump through. Fortunately, they can't always go somewhere else to get the service we provide and usually accommodations get made.

 

[Boudica]

This request was made by one of our customers. We had to talk to them about this and we came to an agreement. They are cutting us a check without this option. But, I was wondering how many sign businesses have seen this with their customers.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the huge company's we've worked with have asked us to sign up for something like this (Though I wouldn't know, I doubt my boss would do it).
I looked up RealPage Vendor Credentialing, and they used to be called "Compliance Depot". LOL, good thing they changed the name.

 

[Geneva Olson]

To the best of my knowledge, none of the huge company's we've worked with have asked us to sign up for something like this (Though I wouldn't know, I doubt my boss would do it).
I looked up RealPage Vendor Credentialing, and they used to be called "Compliance Depot". LOL, good thing they changed the name.

They asked for a w9, insurance paperwork and I gave it to them along with filling out their vendor profile sheet. Then I got this email. They are literally trying to charge ME for holding MY information FOR THEM. I'm not paying someone in another company's salary.

I found this request to be ridiculous and was wondering if other sign shops have dealt with this.

 

[Geneva Olson]

Bill the customer $200 for the enrollment fee (whether they see it or not) and all is good, otherwise we opted to not do business with the customers that insisted on putting a lot of hoops for us to jump through. Fortunately, they can't always go somewhere else to get the service we provide and usually accommodations get made.

They decided to pull this stunt after we had already quoted a price to them. They waived it and cut the check.

 

[netsol]

it depends on how much you value the customer. you know about customer acquistion cost
if it was someone i wanted to keep i would write it off as customer retention cost

 

[Stacey K]

I have not seen that before or been asked by any of the larger companies I work with. Personally, in my small business, if anyone required it I would turn the job down. I have my W9, proof of insurance, and sellers permit saved on my desktop so I can very quickly send it anywhere.

Maybe that company got roped into doing it and now they get a discount for signing others up?

 

[Geneva Olson]

I have not seen that before or been asked by any of the larger companies I work with. Personally, in my small business, if anyone required it I would turn the job down. I have my W9, proof of insurance, and sellers permit saved on my desktop so I can very quickly send it anywhere.

Maybe that company got roped into doing it and now they get a discount for signing others up?

It seems ridiculous to me that I have to pay in order to do business with a customer.

 

[Modern Ink Signs]

Tell you customer that is not how you operate. If they want to charge you. Fire them….

I would never do that. I’m in control of my business and my money.

 

[Geneva Olson]

Tell you customer that is not how you operate. If they want to charge you. Fire them….

I would never do that. I’m in control of my business and my money.

Yea I call BS on their "vendor credentialing" program. They spin it to make it sound like it keeps the fly by nights out. But, I have a store front on a major street..

 

[victor bogdanov]

One time I had an Army daycare reach out about some wallpaper, had to fill out all kinds of paperwork, form 889 and some other forms, something about micro-Purchase Thresholds etc, super complicated for a couple of hundred dollar project.

In the end still did not get the job because I had no way of accepting their "government purchase card"

They could not pay with a check, could not pay with a credit card only payment method they could do was the government purchase card which was not worth the hassle figuring out how to accept

 

[binki]

You can send them a W9 on your own. As far as insurance, I wouldn't give them anything other than your contractor number if you have one. If you are not doing installs then the W9 is sufficient.

 

[unclebun]

I would suspect that they were sold this credentialing system by the credentialing company and if you consider how much hassle it would be for a company that has a large number of vendors to keep up with all the COIs and tax forms, it probably sounded great to get rid of the hassle. I bet the credentialing company didn't even tell them how much they would try to charge the vendors. Or if they did, there's probably some kind of kickback in there.

It's like the "payment processors" they try to foist on you. The local school district apparently signed up with one of those. They wanted you to give them all kinds of information (financial) and then for a fee deducted from every payment you would "get your payments faster". I said no, and when I do a job for them I still get paid the next Thursday when they do a check run.

 

[FASTSIGNS]

Most large commercial real estate/ property management companies use Vendor Credentaling. I refuse to file with them after many stupid restrictions on VC part. VC cannot handle the fact we use 3 different insurance companies (no broker). Once our coverage was too high and VC wanted us to lower our coverage - nonsense! We do not do waivers of subrigation (why am I waving my rights away?) Too much hassle and just holds up payment. If customer can't pay upfront then they can go up the street. Theres always the promise of its so easy ! NOT! There's more work coming your way NOT!

 

[CanuckSigns]

Most large commercial real estate/ property management companies use Vendor Credentaling. I refuse to file with them after many stupid restrictions on VC part. VC cannot handle the fact we use 3 different insurance companies (no broker). Once our coverage was too high and VC wanted us to lower our coverage - nonsense! We do not do waivers of subrigation (why am I waving my rights away?) Too much hassle and just holds up payment. If customer can't pay upfront then they can go up the street. Theres always the promise of its so easy ! NOT! There's more work coming your way NOT!

I agree, do what i do and send the problem clients up the road to the local FastSigns guy

 

[beebanner]

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[Geneva Olson]

we are Bee Banner | Printing Services in canada
If you're looking for top-quality custom prints, Bee Banner is the go-to choice! They offer premium printing services with sharp details and vibrant colors perfect for photographers, businesses, and creatives who want their work to stand out. Bee Banner is dedicated to providing top-notch custom printing services, ensuring vibrant, high-quality banners for businesses and personal use. I personally recommanded to this platform just visit atleast 1 time please...!

dude, we ALL have premium printing services.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I called them for the hell of it, the dude on the phone just seemed confused and didn't even give a company name until I directly asked them. I did also tell them to knock it off.