Opening a trade account: what we ask for and why

Why there are two prices

Every product page shows our list price, ex VAT, with no account and no login, so you can see what a line is before spending two minutes on a form. The trade price — the one you actually pay — is lower, and it appears on every line once your account is approved.

Whichever price you are looking at, it is the same for everyone looking at it: there is no quoting one number to one shop and another to the next, and no haggling to be missed out on.

The account is also what lets you order. Once you are approved you can build a basket, confirm it, and we invoice you.

Who can open an account

Any UK business that resells or uses the stock in trade: shops and perfumeries, pharmacies, salons and barbers, market and event traders, gift shops, online sellers with their own site or a marketplace store. Sole traders are welcome — you don't need a limited company or a VAT number, though if you have them they help. What we're checking is simply that you're a business and not a member of the public looking for a discount.

What the form asks for, and why

• Business or trading name, and the type of business — who we're invoicing. A limited company gives its company number.
• How you sell — shop, pharmacy, salon, market, online — so we know what you're likely to want and can suggest lines.
• Whether you sell online, and if so the link — your own site, your marketplace storefront or your social shop. It's the quickest way for us to say yes, and the one thing we ask of anyone selling online.
• Whether you're VAT registered, and the number if you are. Being registered isn't required.
• Your name, email and phone. The email becomes your login and is where the order confirmations go.
• Invoice address, and a delivery address if it's different.
• A password, so you can log in straight away.

Nothing to upload, no bank references, no credit check for pay-in-advance accounts.

What happens next

1. You get an email confirming we've received it.
2. We review it, usually within two working days. If your website or shop link makes it obvious, it's quick; if we can't tell, we may email you a question.
3. You get an email saying you are approved. Log in and the trade price appears on every product, which is what you order at. If we can't approve an application we'll say so, and you're welcome to reply with more detail.

What you can do with the account

• See and order at the trade price on every product.
• Add lines to a basket and confirm an order — £100 minimum, ex VAT.
• See every order you've placed and its status: received, confirmed, dispatched, with the tracking number once it's on its way.
• Reset your own password.

What we do with your details

We use them to run your account and your orders, and for nothing else. No marketing lists, no selling your details on, no cookies beyond the one that keeps you logged in. The full privacy policy is short and says the same thing at more length, and the trade terms set out how a sale works.

Apply

It takes two minutes: the application form is here. If you'd rather talk first, sales@sterlingtradinggroup.com.