5 replies to this topic

[TRIP]

Some time back we discussed whether or not the credit profile information on UPIC was actually working. I have now come to find out that it only works if you are a member of PPAI (free for 1st year only) or non PPAI members must pay $60 per year for its use. I am wondering if UPIC expects their credit profile to be a useful and valuable tool given the fact that they are asking the distributor members to foot the bill?

Here is the link to the .pdf that UPIC publishes:
www.nacmnc.com/upic/DistributorCreditReportAgreement.pdf

Let me know what you think.

[steveb]

This seems to be a benefit you receive for your membership in PPAI. I would think it is paid for with your annual membership fee. I must admit that the wording in the blurb makes it unclear about the member benefit in the 2nd, 3rd etc year.

We have a list of credit references that we send out with first-time orders. It includes people we do business with, our industry identifier, DUNS number, the bank reference, etc. We are prepared to prepay in whole or in part for first-time orders.

[TRIP]

If it's a PPAI benefit, why have UPIC at all? Why does the industry need UPIC if the PPAI membership includes all the benefits?

[steveb]

I think you may misunderstand UPIC. UPIC is an industry identifier, analogous to ASI's "asi number." However, it is sponsored by PPAI and is free of charge to all industry participants. ASI charges for a subscription to their services, one of which is their proprietary industry identifier, known as the "asi number." That's all UPIC is. It is not a credit report or anything else. You do not have to be a PPAI member or fee-payer to have a UPIC identifier.

TRIP said:

If it's a PPAI benefit, why have UPIC at all? Why does the industry need UPIC if the PPAI membership includes all the benefits?

[TRIP]

I understand all of that. The issue is if the UPIC credit service is of any value to anyone if only the PPAI members can use it for one year at n/c, and all others must pay for it anually.

[indietermined]

From the previous UPIC Credit thread it sounded like there were not enough suppliers reporting credit to the UPIC system... so essentially if the service is not working for some it may be difficult to get distributors to agree to pay the fee. At the same time the system probably does not run itself and costs are involved, so the fee must be needed to offset cost....