How you pay for hose matters as much as what you pay. For a trade buyer, the choice between a
pro-forma account and a credit account shapes your cash flow, your paperwork and
how quickly you can start ordering. Neither is better in the abstract – they suit different businesses at
different stages. This guide sets out what each one is, who it fits, and how to move from one to the other as your
buying grows.
Whichever route you take, the fundamentals at Hoses UK stay the same: a £500 minimum order,
express next-day delivery on stocked hose lines, and £25 off your first order. The account type only changes the
timing of payment.
£500 min order (ex VAT)Pro-forma from day oneCredit for established accountsExpress next-day delivery£25 off first order
Two Ways to Pay, Side by Side
At the simplest level, the difference is when the money moves relative to the goods:
Pro-forma account
You pay before the goods leave the warehouse. The order is picked, you settle the pro-forma invoice, and it dispatches – usually the same working day. No application, no credit check, no waiting on approval.
Credit account
You order now and pay later against agreed terms – typically end-of-month or a set number of days from invoice. It smooths cash flow across multiple orders, but it is granted to established accounts after the usual trade-reference and credit checks.
When Pro-Forma Is the Right Call
Pro-forma is the default for a reason – it is frictionless. It tends to suit buyers who value speed and simplicity over deferred payment:
New accounts
You have just registered and want stock moving today rather than waiting on an application.
Occasional buyers
You order in bursts a few times a year and don't need a standing facility.
Tight on paperwork
You would rather skip credit applications, references and director guarantees.
Locking in a price
Paying up front against a live quote fixes the rate on a volume buy across the
wholesale range.
When a Credit Account Earns Its Keep
Credit comes into its own once hose is a regular line on your purchase ledger. If any of these describe you, it is worth a conversation:
Regular, repeat orders
You buy hose most weeks and don't want to raise a payment against every single order.
Managing cash flow
Terms let you fit hose to your own customers' payment cycles instead of funding stock up front.
Larger stockholding
Bringing in bulk to hold on the shelf is easier when the invoice follows the goods.
Established trading history
You have a track record and clean references that support a facility and a sensible limit.
Growing From Pro-Forma to Credit – Step by Step
Most accounts start on pro-forma and graduate to credit as their trading history builds. The path is straightforward:
1
Start on pro-forma
Open a trade account and place orders on pro-forma from day one – nothing to wait for.
2
Build a history
Order consistently and settle each pro-forma promptly. A clean record is what a credit decision rests on.
3
Ask about terms
Once you are ordering regularly, speak to the team on 01924 496111 about a credit facility.
4
Trade on account
With terms agreed, order against your limit and pay to schedule — same fast dispatch, deferred payment.
Prefer to talk it through, or want to discuss a facility and a sensible limit before you start? The team is on 01924 496111 or via the contact page.
Pro-Forma vs Credit at a Glance
Here is the comparison in one view, so you can see exactly where the two differ – and where they don't:
| Payment timing |
Pro-forma: before dispatch. Credit: after invoice, on agreed terms. |
| Setup |
Pro-forma: instant – no application. Credit: application, references and checks. |
| Who it suits |
Pro-forma: new or occasional buyers. Credit: regular, established accounts. |
| Cash flow |
Pro-forma: you fund the order up front. Credit: the invoice follows the goods. |
| Minimum order |
Both: £500 per order (excluding VAT). |
| Dispatch speed |
Identical – express next-day on stocked lines, same-day collection from Mirfield. |
| First order |
Both: £25 off as a new trade customer. |
The dispatch, the stock and the pricing are identical on both. The only thing an account type changes is when you pay — so pick the one that fits your cash flow, not your ego.
A Practical Rule of Thumb
If you are new, buy occasionally, or want to avoid paperwork, start on pro-forma –
you can order today and settle per order. If you buy hose most weeks, hold stock, or need to align payment with your own
customers' cycles, a credit account will pay for itself in smoother cash flow. And because you can move
from one to the other, there is no wrong first step: open on pro-forma, trade well, and ask about terms when the volume
justifies it.
Ready to Open an Account?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to start on a pro-forma account?
In practice, yes – new trade accounts begin on pro-forma so you can order straight away without waiting on a credit decision. It is the fastest route to getting stock moving, and there is no fee to register.
How do I qualify for a credit account?
Credit terms are offered to established accounts with a consistent ordering history and satisfactory trade and credit references. The simplest path is to trade on pro-forma for a while, settle promptly, then ask the team to review you for a facility.
Is the minimum order different for credit accounts?
No. The £500 minimum order (excluding VAT) applies to every order regardless of how you pay. Credit changes when you settle the invoice, not how much you need to buy.
Does paying on pro-forma slow down delivery?
Not once payment clears. The core range is held in stock for express next-day delivery, with same-day collection from our Mirfield warehouse. Pro-forma just means the balance is settled before the goods leave.
