Trade Accounts, Explained
What a trade account is, how the application process actually works, what a personal guarantee means, how trade references work, and what happens if an account falls into default.
What This Guide Covers
Almost every NZ trade and wholesale supplier offers a trade account, but the process of opening one — the application, the trade references, the personal guarantee, and what happens if it's not paid — is usually only explained on individual suppliers' own "apply now" pages. This guide covers it neutrally, from what a trade account is through to what happens if one falls into default.
Every Trade Accounts Article
Getting Started
- What Is a Trade Account? (NZ Guide) — the definition, and how it differs from a regular account
- How Does a Trade Account Application Work in NZ? — the step-by-step process, with what suppliers actually check
Guarantees & References
- What Is a Personal Guarantee on a Trade Account? — what it means, and whether it can be negotiated
- What Are Trade References and How Many Do You Need? — including a free NZ template
When It Goes Wrong
- What Happens If You Default on a Trade Account in NZ? — the real consequences, and how to negotiate before it escalates
Related Reading
- Trade Credit, Explained — the underlying concept a trade account puts into practice
- Payment Terms, Explained — every common NZ payment term a trade account might use
- Trade Accounts vs Business Instalments
Modern Trade Credit, Without the Paperwork
PaidTerms lets NZ suppliers offer flexible payment terms and get paid upfront, without either side carrying the admin of a traditional trade account.
