18 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

Most people don't know so I wanted to share. You can actually get orders from the US government without bidding. They are allowed to put these purchases on a p-card as long as the order is less than $2500

I am sure others could explain all of this better than me, but I just wanted to share what I do know. We get a good chunk of business from the federal government and have never once placed a bid.

[rjswave]

I have done quite a bit of work for the Military. I always submit a quote but I don't think it's in a bidding situation; it was more for a paper trail. I've gotten every quote I submitted and didn't discount anything. They pay by credit card and it's quick, easy work. HoooRaaa

[kilroy]

I've worked with gov't orders also. True for me too is the $2,500 max. per Invoice for credit card payments.

I do remember years ago (10?) when payments were not so prompt, and they really didn't care. Much better now a days. But caution: orders over $2,500 can still delay on someone's desk before going to the payment dept. I've waited over 90 days for payment because one person could not find the time to "authorize" the delivery was received. Calling weekly did not help expedite either. No late fees were paid because "their" 30 days do not start till after all their internal paperwork was in order regaurdless of invoice date or ups delevered date!! Nice orders, but one person can booger up your cash flow for months. Overall usually no problems 90% of the time.

kilroy

[rjswave]

kilroy said:

But caution: orders over $2,500 can still delay on someone's desk before going to the payment dept. I've waited over 90 days for payment because one person could not find the time to "authorize" the delivery was received. Calling weekly did not help expedite either. No late fees were paid because "their" 30 days do not start till after all their internal paperwork was in order regaurdless of invoice date or ups delevered date!! Nice orders, but one person can booger up your cash flow for months. Overall usually no problems 90% of the time.

kilroy

Very true and if the paperwork lands on the wrong desk, it will end up in the trash and not passed on to the correct person.

[mrance]

I too have found little pockets of no bid business. I met a lady who works in the dept of conservation, she manages a local chapter, but every county has her counterpart, 43 total, and they all have little promo needs. Currently she is looking at 7 items to go in a handout bag for a day training camp for farmers. She is aware of the process, so will cut multiple orders to play the " no bid " game. I just want to please her and be introduced to the other 42! happy hunting

[kristiy]

I am getting into the WY DOT now. One of my husband's patients works there in the right department.. asked me to submit the forms they need to be able to use me.
i finally got them done and faxed in..

We shall see!

[Lizzieanne]

Hi All,

This sounds really interesting. What is the drill and where do you find out about it and what you have to do? Any suggestions on how to go about applying?

Thanks,
Lee

[a1promo]

kristiy said:

I am getting into the WY DOT now. One of my husband's patients works there in the right department.. asked me to submit the forms they need to be able to use me.
i finally got them done and faxed in..

We shall see!

Is that Depatment of Transportation?

Kay

[wagstwo]

It would seem to be the Wyoming Dept of Transportation.

Cathy :)

[marytspecs]

here's a question for you guys: I have been dealing with the government for years and due to the economy and other factors, orders have dwindled to just 1 or 2 a year... always about $1000 or less. I only had NOVA credit card capabilities for the government jobs so in order to save money, I dropped my NOVA membership. I planned to use PayPal. Today my customer called me to set up payment for about $700 order and he informed me NO gov't card can ever be used through PayPal. Now what? help, help!

[marytspecs]

Help! I dropped my credit card affiliation with NOVA since I only had 1 or 2 orders each year and I needed to save some money. Now I have a government order for about $700. I planned on using PayPal and my customer says NO govt cards can be used on PayPal. Yikes...what now?

[a1promo]

Have you checked with Costco and Sams? Think they have a low merchant charge. Which government are you reffering to: county, city, federal, state?

[marytspecs]

a Navy command

[biggerfish]

marytspecs said:

Help! I dropped my credit card affiliation with NOVA since I only had 1 or 2 orders each year and I needed to save some money. Now I have a government order for about $700. I planned on using PayPal and my customer says NO govt cards can be used on PayPal. Yikes...what now?

You CAN use Paypal as your processor, it's just that the government employees can't enter a pcard into a the paypal system for purchases.

I use paypal as my processor, the customer has NO idea who that is - just as they would not know who Nova, Quickbooks, or other processors are. It does not appear on any statement that the customer can see.

Pricing for infrequent orders might kill the idea for you though - https://www.paypal.c...display-vt-fees - $30/mo to use the virtual terminal, plus the transaction fees. You might be better off running that card through an associate's merchant system for the occasional order.

[marytspecs]

Thanks for your input. I think I will probably end up asking a friend who has a store run this through for me if she'll do it. I had no idea this would be a problem...stupid me. I also thought that PayPal only charged a small percent and a small transaction fee... no virtual terminal etc. Can't I just have the money deposited in my personal account? That's the way we recently paid to stay in a vacation rental... how out to lunch am I anyway?

[marytspecs]

Just to update you all, in case you were wondering: I asked the supplier if he would charge the credit card of my customer and then send me check for the difference from what I owed the supplier and he agreed. I HAVE been a customer for over 15 years so I guess that made a difference. But I think everyone is feeling the pinch so we're all helping each other out. I really do appreciate his help on this one and yours, too!

[DAP]

I am in the midst of quoting to a Federal agency and they do want to use CC.
I too used paypal so glad I found this thread. I checked with Costco, Executive Member and Nova their provider says government cards get 3.80% PLUS $.32 per transaction.
Nova quoted all different fees than what is listed in the Members Benefits and services booklet from Costco. (I did write Costco about this as well).

Any other processing services suggestions.

[starprint]

Whenever I work with a government agency who can't pay through PayPal (because e-mails from PayPal are blocked) I run the charge through my local BCT. They send me a check minus the processing fees.

[mikesideas]

starprint said:

Whenever I work with a government agency who can't pay through PayPal (because e-mails from PayPal are blocked) I run the charge through my local BCT. They send me a check minus the processing fees.

what's a bct?