How does Vendvana work?
You pay with what you have-to get what you need, or in other words pay your vendors, employees, friends, family or virtually anyone using your excess capacity of products and service instead of cash. You can use this new found revenue to offset business expenses, pay employee incentives and benefits, or enhance your quality of life. And quite often, trade clients will refer their cash paying friends and family when they enjoy the great service you provide them. New business is created.
Who can Join Vendvana?
Any business or person that offers a product or performs a service can apply for an account with Vendvana. You must agree to the established trading rules and be fair and equitable in your dealings with other Vendvana members, just as you would with your cash customers. Vendvana is simply building a community of businesses, entrepreneurs and people that understand the benefits of the network and want to increase sales, lower expenses, increase profits, and the numerous benefits it has to offer.
What does it cost?
There is a one time setup fee as low as $149-249 depending on what type of membership you choose. A Professional account is as low as $10/month cash and $10/month trade dollars. If you represent a Nonprofit you can sign up for $5/month cash and $5/month trade dollars or an Enterprise account at $25/month cash and $25/month trade dollars for additional benefits. For all membership levels there’s a 6% cash transaction fee on sales, each time we refer new business to you, and a 6% cash transaction fee on purchases when you spend your new found revenue.
When are the transaction fees processed?
Your one-time membership fee is processed within 24 hours of joining. Transaction fees are processed at the beginning of each month for the previous month's transactions. For your convenience your statement activity is always available online 24/7 in your Member Dashboard.
What is a Business Assessment?
The Vendvana Business Assessment sets Vendvana apart in our Industry. Our team provides every member with a business assessment tool to identify ongoing daily, monthly and yearly cash expenses. This assessment identifies existing recurring expenses, like printing, landscaping, building or vehicle maintenance, marketing and advertising and other types of services. Every business is different and this customized assessment tool allows us to identify cash expenses that can be reduced and/or replaced now and in the future through the Vendvana Network. The Vendvana Business Assessment is a powerful tool for your business.
What is a Trade Circle?
A Trade Circle is comprised of member businesses who offer services that each member uses on a recurring basis. Vendvana works with every member in order to identify their ongoing cash expenses. Once the Vendvana Business Assessment has been completed, Vendvana will connect you with members already in our network who supply these services. Vendvana Concierges will continually enroll new and diverse member businesses that can be added to your Trade Circle. Vendvana also rewards our members who assist us by recommending companies they know, like and trust to the network.
What is a VEND Dollar?
The Vendvana electronic currency is called a VEND dollar. One VEND dollar is equal to the value of one US Dollar and is the base unit of the Vendvana electronic currency for the purpose of determining value on products and services.
Why would I want to accept Vendvana VEND dollars instead of cash?
You’re not accepting Vendvana instead of cash. You’re receiving new customers that Vendvana finds for you in addition to your cash customers. If you have idle time in your week or your shelves are overstocked, why not accept Vendvana electronic currency? You can spend your new found revenue to offset business expenses, pay employee incentives, or enhance your quality of life. And quite often, trade clients will refer their cash paying friends and family when they enjoy the great service you provide them.
How is trading through Vendvana better than trading direct?
You are not limited to buy from the same member you sell to. You can trade with businesses in our network and other Vendvana communities locally and nationally and globally. Our software tracks all your transactions, and unfair trades are eliminated! We send you a 1099b for tax reporting purposes so that all of your trade activity on Vendvana is legal and ethical. You can have up to 99 sub-accounts which allows you to share your Vendvana earnings with your employees, VIP clients, and family.
Why should I pay cash for my products and sell it for Vendvana VEND dollars?
If you own a retail store and you have excess product sitting on your shelves, why not get full value for it by posting it on Vendvana instead of getting pennies on the dollar on other cash or auction sites? If you’re in a service industry and have empty appointment times, you can’t sell today’s empty time tomorrow, so post it for trade and bring in new business that generates revenue in your Vendvana account. If your restaurant has empty tables, your hotel has empty rooms, or your radio stations have empty time, don’t let it go to waste! Remember, when new Vendvana customers are coming through your doors, they always bring more cash customers!
Can I pay my rent and electric bill with Vendvana?
No. However, you can save cash by trading for things that you would normally pay cash for, and use that money would have spent toward your rent and electric bill. Perhaps you can use your trade dollars to design a new website that attracts more cash customers. You can even trade for business courses and/or coaching that will make your business more profitable. Profit means more cash and cash pays your rent… so actually, the answer is YES!
How should I price my product or service?
We are all about you getting full value for your products and services. The price you quote to Vendvana members is the same price you would quote to a cash paying client. Vendvana is simply another method of payment, just like cash or a credit card. Remember that business owners are educated shoppers and price gouging is frowned upon, as well as cause for account termination.
What if I need to make a purchase before I have earned any Vendvana VEND dollars?
Vendvana will allow a member a line of credit just like a bank, based on their business assessment spending plan. Additionally a member can apply for a larger line of credit. You can qualify by posting products for trade in the same amount that you would like in credit. Once your credit line is approved, you can use your credit immediately.
Do I have to pay income taxes on the sales I make with Vendvana?
Yes. Trade Exchanges are required, by the IRS, to report all trade sales at the end of each calendar year, and we make it easy for you to report! Vendvana members receive a 1099b at the beginning of each year for trade sales made the previous year. Members of the Trade Network can also view their monthly statements online at any time. Remember, your business expenses are deductible whether you trade for them or pay cash. Please discuss these options with your accountant. The goal is to spend as much as you sell so as to not show a taxable profit. If you spend more trade dollars than you earned, it could even generate a loss that can be used to reduce taxes on cash sales.
Does Vendvana provide support?
Yes. Simply click the blue smile icon on the bottom right of our website to connect with our support team or call the office anytime during regular business hours. Vendvana also contacts our members on a regular basis to update them on upcoming events, new members or services available in the network.
Can I sell an item for part cash, part trade?
The short answer is no. All Vendvana trade purchases and sales are expected to be 100% trade. Your spending plan is based upon your initial business assessment and we establish a selling pattern at that time. Any additional sales or purchases that exceed that spending/sales plan must be approved by a Vendvana Concierge and both the buyer and seller must be notified in advance. All applicable transaction fees will be applied to any part cash part trade transactions on the total amount both cash and trade. If you encounter a request for part cash during a transaction, please contact Vendvana immediately before agreeing to the transaction. There are other exceptions such as sales tax, repair parts, deposits etc. that can be charged in cash.
What about Shipping, Taxes and Gratuities?
The Buyer pays sales tax, gratuities and shipping in cash. These parts of the transaction are your responsibility and are facilitated outside of Vendvana. Always charge shipping and sales tax from your buyer up front, before shipping an item. Remember to keep depositing into your Relationship Bank by always tipping well. Vendvana is a business to business network and word of mouth advertising is still the BEST way to gain new and happy customers.
Why do you ask for my Social Security or Federal ID number?
The Tefra Act designates Trade/Barter Exchanges as third party record keepers, the same as banks and credit card companies. IRS regulations dictate that trade/barter sales are the same as cash sales, as the seller is receiving revenue that can be spent just like cash to purchase products and services. Therefore, trade sales are taxable income that must be reported by trade exchanges to the IRS. By February of each year, Vendvana will send each member a 1099b detailing their trade sales for the previous year. In March of each year, Vendvana reports all income from trade sales to the IRS, as required by law.
Why do you ask for my credit card, debit card or checking account information?
Vendvana bills the monthly cash and transaction fees at the beginning of each month. At the first of each month, you will be sent a Vendvana statement detailing your purchases, sales and fees. Copies of past statements are always available online in your Member Dashboard.