Hi!
I just did a search to see if this had already been covered..and came up with Nada.

I went to the DUNS website..and they have two types of numbers:

1) Free DUNS number-they claim it can never be used for credit

2) Not-so-free DUNS number..for use with credit.

I called them..and had a discussion. Over the next few weeks..I became very wary of this "salesperson"...because he told me the absolute lie that I would be able to use the number to open a new credit account in just one month.

Nope. I do know quite a bit about credit..and can tell you for a fact: That ain't gonna happen. Another thing he said bothered me.."You will be able to instantly separate your personal credit from this new business credit.

Another lie..I'm pretty sure. I am willing to bet 95% of the businesses will not grant credit to a brand new company that has a brand new DUNS number that is not at least six months old.

I'm also willing to bet there is not very many companies that will let me separate my personal credit from the business credit without being in business for at least a year.

Now..primarily..I am curious about one thing: Is it a fact that the free numbers cannot be used for credit? Or is this some marketing scheme designed to extort extra cash out of people who just do not know any better...as I suspect?

Are there people on here that have been able to use a free one for credit?

Thanks

Bryon

I hope the folks you were talking to were Dun & Bradstreet. They issue DUNS numbers and collect and analyze data on companies who have DUNS numbers. While this is similar to consumer credit agencies, you typically have to PAY them to build you a credit profile, by providing them with a list of trade references, etc.

I can tell you that we pay several hundred dollars a year to maintain our D&B profile, and have found it to be money well spent. It has allowed us to get leasing deals faster, cheaper and based solely on the business credit. We have also been able to get higher credit limits and long terms with our hardware distributors based upon our D+B profile.

I will say that the time period you have had your DUNS number is not as important as the amount of information contained in your profile with D&B. If you are an established business who can provide dozens of trade references [who will actually report data back to D+B], then you will have a very solid D+B profile in a matter of months. On the other hand, if you have been in business for 27 years, have had a D+B profile for 27 years, but in all that time you only have two trade references, your D+B profile will be worthless.

Hi!

Of course. It's just those "sales people" they have rank a 10 on my used car saleperon trust-o-meter (10 is the worst).

It is a yearly fee? Ouch. Still..if you play the game..and delay..they do come back with that "lite" offer..much more resaonable than the first offer.

Good info to know!

Thanks!

Bryon