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Agreement and Application for Credit Terms

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Agreement and Application for Account or Credit Terms

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For the purpose of obtaining merchandise from HÄFELE AMERICA CO. (Seller), the following statement is made by the Applicant, intending that the Seller should rely on same as correct.

Name of Applicant: Trade Name, if any:

Billing Address: Address: City: State: Zip:

Shipping Address: Address: City: State: Zip:

Telephone: Fax:

I/We prefer to receive invoices via: Fax E-mail Use this fax #/e-mail address:

Type of Business: Years in Business: Number of employees:

Dealer/Distributor Manufacturer Architect/Designer

Sole Proprietorship Partnership Corporation FEIN or SSN:

Account Type: Credit Card Open Account Credit line requested:

Contact for Payment: Contact for Orders:

E-mail Address:

Purchases subject to Sales Tax? Yes No If no, please attach resale certificate.

LIST ALL OWNERS, OFFICERS OR GENERAL PARTNERS

1. Name:

    Address:

    Phone: Title:

2. Name:

    Address:

    Phone: Title:

3. Name:

    Address:

    Phone: Title:

TRADE REFERENCES (List only active vendors, no credit cards)

1. Name: Phone:

    Address: Fax:

    City: State: Zip:

2. Name: Phone:

    Address: Fax:

    City: State: Zip:

3. Name: Phone:

    Address: Fax:

    City: State: Zip:

Please turn

Terms of Sale

1. Exclusive Terms
All orders, whether through the catalog or otherwise, shall be governed by the following terms and conditions. These terms and conditions shall constitute the complete Agreement between the purchaser of the goods (herein called ‘Buyer’) and Häfele America Co. (herein called ‘Seller’) and shall supersede all prior and contemporaneous oral and written statements of any kind whatsoever made by the parties and their representatives.

2. Acceptance
Buyers orders shall not constitute contracts of sale unless accepted in writing by an authorized agent of Seller at its home office in Archdale, North Carolina or its offices in Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, Chicago, Illinois, or New York, New York. Seller’s acceptance of any order is expressly conditioned upon Buyer’s assent to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. Any added, varied, or conflicting terms in Buyer’s Purchase Order or elsewhere are hereby objected to and shall not bind Seller, unless expressly agreed to in writing signed at Seller’s home office in Archdale, North Carolina, by a duly authorized officer of Seller in a document making specific reference to this Agreement and specifically stating that it ‘amends’ this Agreement. Buyer shall notify Seller in writing, as soon as practicable after receipt of Sellers acceptance of Buyer’s order, of any objection to the terms of this Agreement. Buyer’s failure to notify Seller of any objection shall conclusively indicate Buyer’s assent to and acceptance of all terms and conditions herein. Buyer expressly accepts the terms and conditions herein at the exact moment Seller commences performance on any purchase order requiring or providing for Seller to commence performance prior to Buyer’s receipt of Seller’s written acknowledgment.

3. Prices
Seller has the right to change, without notice, any prices and/or specifications contained in its catalog or any other writing that does not expressly prohibit such change. Buyer agrees to pay for all samples priced in excess of $10 on the date of shipment.

4. Taxes
Any applicable federal, state, local or other government tax or charge on the sale or shipment of the goods covered by this Agreement shall be added to the price and paid by Buyer. Buyer agrees to hold Seller harmless from all such taxes, including interest and penalties thereon, and any costs and expenses in connection thereupon.

5. Shipment, Freight and Delivery
Except as otherwise provided, all prices are F.O.B. Seller’s warehouses, Archdale, North Carolina or Los Angeles, California, depending on the location from which the goods are shipped. The decision as to place of shipment shall be solely that of Seller.

6. Terms
Except as otherwise provided, payment terms are net thirty (30) days from date of Seller’s invoice. A late payment charge of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month (but not in excess of the legal maximum) may be added to all past due balances. Buyer is responsible for reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of past due balances. Buyer shall have no right of set-off. Buyer’s cancellation of orders for any items referred to in the catalog is subject to a service charge to cover the costs of initial processing and/or production of the order. Orders for items that are not referred to in the Sellers catalog are not subject to cancellation by Buyer. Orders for an amount of less than $100 are subject to a service charge of $20.

7. Financial Responsibility
Shipments and deliveries of all items shall at all times be subject to approval of Seller’s Credit Department. Seller at any time may require payment in advance or satisfactory security or guarantee that invoices will be promptly paid when due. Prior to credit approval orders will only be shipped on the basis of payment in advance. Buyer should submit a completed credit application with its initial order to expedite credit approval. In addition to and without limiting Seller’s existing rights and remedies, Seller reserves the right to withhold further deliveries and/or terminate this or any other contract with Buyer, if Buyer fails to comply with the terms of this or any other Agreement. Upon Seller’s termination of this Agreement, all unpaid amounts Buyer owes Seller shall become immediately due and payable.

8. Buyer’s Agreement to Defend
Buyer agrees to defend, protect, and save Seller harmless against all suits at law or in equity and from all costs of suit, legal fees, expenses, damages, claims, and demands arising out of or awarded in connection with any goods: (a) sold or supplied to Buyer by Seller that are not maintained and operated in accordance with recommended procedures, or (b) sold or supplied to Buyer by Seller to meet Buyers specifications, requirements, or instructions.

9. Notice of Accident or Malfunction
Buyer shall notify Seller promptly and in any event within thirty (30) days of any accident or malfunction involving goods manufactured or sold by Seller. Buyer agrees to protect, defend, and save Seller harmless (as provided in paragraph 8), in the event that Buyer fails to give such notice to Seller and to so cooperate.

10. Warranty
Except as otherwise provided, Seller warrants for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment that the goods supplied to Buyer shall be of good materials and workmanship. Seller further warrants for a period of one (1) year that the goods supplied by Buyer, when properly installed and used, are fit for the ordinary purpose or purposes indicated in the catalog and will conform to the catalog or to any other specifications supplied by Seller. Seller makes no warranty with respect to the following: (a) materials not manufactured by Seller, the use of which is suggested by Sellers general recommendations, application or installation procedures, or otherwise; (b) goods sold by Seller to Buyer for other than resale; and (c) all display items sold by Seller to Buyer. THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE, AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SELLER DOES NOT ASSUME, NOR AUTHORIZE ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT, ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

11. Limitation of Remedies
Seller’s obligations under the above warranties (contained in Section 10) are conditioned upon Seller actually receiving notice from Buyer of the alleged defect within one (1) year from date of shipment and the allegedly defective goods revealing an actual defect upon examination by Seller. Seller shall not be liable for any labor or other expenses incurred by Buyer in the removal, repair, or replacement of the goods or any component part claimed to be defective, nor shall Seller be liable for any expenses incurred by the Buyer in order to remedy any defect. Seller shall not be liable for any consequential, special, or contingent damages or expenses, arising directly or indirectly from any defect in the goods, or from Buyers use or inability to use such goods. The discharge of Seller’s warranty obligation hereunder shall constitute fulfillment of all liabilities of Seller to Buyer, whether based on contract, negligence, or otherwise. The remedies set forth herein shall be the exclusive remedies available to the Buyer and in lieu of all other remedies, and the liability of Seller, whether in contract, in tort, warranty or otherwise, shall not exceed the price of the goods sold, supplied, or furnished by Seller. Any suit or action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof must be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action has accrued. The foregoing shall not limit the time within which any suit or action must be brought to collect an amount agreed to be paid by Buyer or to enforce a judgment or to collect any amount awarded to Seller. The sole purpose of the stipulated exclusive remedy shall be to provide Buyer with a credit or replacement for, or repair of, defective parts in the manner provided herein. This exclusive remedy shall not be deemed to have failed of its essential purpose so long as Seller is willing to credit Buyers account, repair, or replace the defective part(s) in the manner prescribed herein.

12. Shortages
Buyer must make claim for credit due to shortage within ten (10) days of the date of the shipment. Any shortage claim not made within this period is conclusively deemed waived by Buyer.

13. Returns
Buyer must receive a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA) prior to returning goods. Buyer must request an RMA within thirty (30) days of the date of the shipment in order to be considered. Seller will not issue an RMA for special order, non-stock, obsolete or made-to-measure goods. All goods returned to Seller must be in the original packaging and in resalable condition and must pass inspection before any credit is issued by Seller.

14. Handling Charges for Returns
Buyer is subject to a handling charge of no less than twenty dollars ($20.00) and no more than twenty percent (20%) of the sales price of the returned goods. Defective goods, as verified by inspection, are not subject to a handling charge.

15. Damages
Seller is not liable for any damages to goods sustained during shipment. Buyer is responsible for filing any damage claims with freight carriers and is subject to the rules of the freight carriers regarding the timing and processing of claims.

16. Defaults or Delays
Seller shall not be liable for any default or delay in the production or delivery of all or any goods resulting either directly or indirectly from (a) accidents to, breakdowns, or mechanical failure of Seller’s plant, machinery, or equipment; strikes or other labor troubles; labor shortages; fire; flood; wars; acts of God; delays of suppliers; delays in transportation or lack of transportation facilities; embargos; shortages of, or reductions in energy sources; priorities, allocations, limitations, restrictions, or other acts required or requested by Federal, state, or local governments, or any subdivision, bureau or agency thereof; or (b) any cause beyond the control of Seller. In no event shall Seller be liable for any consequential, special, or contingent damages arising out of Seller’s default or delay in filling Buyer’s order.

17. Governing Law
Both Buyer and Seller execute all orders with reference to the laws of the State of North Carolina and the rights of all parties and the construction and effort of every provision of this Agreement shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of the State of North Carolina.

18. Binding Effect
The provisions of any order shall bind and inure to the benefits of Seller and Buyer and their respective successors and permitted assigns. However, neither this Agreement, nor any part thereof or right thereunder, may be assigned by Buyer without the prior written consent of Seller.

19. Waiver
The right of either party to require strict performance by the other party of any or all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by prior waiver, forbearance, or course of dealing.

20. Interpretation
Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of the Agreement should be prohibited or invalid under appropriate law, that provision will be deemed deleted and the remaining provisions of the Agreement will remain in full force and effect. The subject headings of the sections of this Agreement are included for the purpose of convenience only and will not affect construction or interpretation of any of its provisions.

Häfele America Co., Archdale, NC

I accept the above Terms and Conditions.

Name:

Title:

Company:

Date:

Please turn

APPLICABLE ONLY IF OPEN ACCOUNT IS REQUESTED

Bank Reference of Applicant

Name Checking Acct.#

Address Savings Acct.#

City/St Zip Phone:

Person to contact Fax:

Bank Reference of Guarantor(s)

Name Checking Acct.#

Address Savings Acct.#

City/St Zip Phone:

Person to contact Fax:

Rev. Date 08/04/10

TERMS OF AGREEMENT AND APPLICATION FOR CREDIT

In consideration of Seller’s extension of credit to Applicant, Applicant agrees to pay under the terms of this Agreement and Application for Credit (the “Agreement”) when due (a) all debts, liabilities and obligations, now existing or hereafter coming into existence; (b) a service charge not to exceed 1 1/2% per month, or 18% per annum, (or the maximum allowable contract rate under applicable law) on the unpaid balance of any account or other Obligations (the “Service Charge”); and (c) reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection and enforcement, or any attempts at collection and enforcement, of such debts, liabilities or obligations of Applicant, by or through any attorney, all of (a), (b) and (c) shall be referred to as the “Obligations”.

Applicant agrees to pay for all goods purchased in compliance with the prevailing terms of Seller. If Applicant fails to comply with Seller’s prevailing terms or any of the provisions of this Agreement, Seller may declare the unpaid balance on this account immediately due and payable. In this event, Applicant agrees to pay such balance upon demand or Seller may, in the manner and as provided by applicable law, retake the goods or pursue any further remedy provided by applicable law.

Applicant hereby authorizes the use of this document, or a facsimile thereof, as consent for the release of credit information to Seller by credit bureau and the above-listed Trade and Bank References.

Applicant certifies that the statements on this Agreement are true, correct and complete, and that they have been made in order to obtain credit from Häfele America Co.

If more than one person shall execute this Agreement, the term “undersigned” shall mean all parties executing this Agreement, and any liability under this Agreement shall be joint and several.

Applicant has executed this Agreement under seal, this the day of 20 .

IF CORPORATION (must be signed and sealed by a duly authorized officer)

Name of Corporation

By:

Signature of Officer

Corporate Seal:

IF INDIVIDUAL OR SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP

Signature

(Seal)

IF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OR GENERAL PARTNERSHIP (must be signed by all general partners)

Name of Partnership

By:

Signature of General Partner Signature of General Partner

Locations

Häfele Headquarters, New York, Caribbean, Los Angeles, Chicago.

I accept the above Terms and Conditions.

Name:

Company:

Title:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Agreement and Application for Credit Terms Is

An Agreement and Application for Credit Terms is a combined form that both requests a line of credit and creates the contractual terms governing its use. It typically collects applicant identity and financial data, authorizes credit checks, specifies payment terms, interest and late fees, identifies collateral or security interests, and sets default remedies. Vendors, suppliers, and financiers use the document to evaluate creditworthiness and to create an enforceable contract for ongoing or one-off trade credit. Proper completion supports consistent underwriting, collection, and regulatory recordkeeping.

Why this document matters for business credit

Using a single Agreement and Application for Credit Terms clarifies expectations, documents consent for credit checks, and creates enforceable payment obligations. It reduces disputes by defining due dates, remedies, and security interests up front.

Why this document matters for business credit

Typical users and where this form fits

Businesses and credit teams use this combined application-agreement to onboard customers, set credit limits, and record authorization for checks and references.

  • Credit managers at B2B suppliers who underwrite accounts receivable and track credit exposure across customers.
  • Accounts receivable teams that need consistent payment terms, invoice routing, and contractual remedies for late payments.
  • Small-business owners applying for trade credit to buy inventory or services without immediate payment.

Small-business sellers, middle-market vendors, and finance teams rely on the document to standardize credit decisions and preserve evidence for dispute resolution.

Key parts to include in a professional credit agreement

A well-constructed Agreement and Application for Credit Terms combines applicant data with clear contractual provisions; include elements that permit credit checks, define payment mechanics, list collateral, and assign governing law.

Applicant Details

Full legal name, business entity type, EIN or SSN, mailing address, physical address, and primary contact information for underwriting and identity verification.

Credit Authorization

Explicit consent permitting trade references, bank and credit bureau inquiries. Include a signature and date to evidence consent to background checks.

Payment Terms

Net days, due dates, applicable interest or finance charges, late fees, and acceptable payment methods (ACH, check, credit card).

Security & Remedies

Descriptions of liens, personal guarantees, or collateral; remedies for default, acceleration clauses, and rights to recover collection costs and attorneys' fees.

Representations

Statements about solvency, authority to enter the agreement, and accuracy of supplied information; these support claims in collections or legal disputes.

Signature Block

Designated signer name, title, signature, and date. Identify who has authority to bind the applicant and whether notarization is required.

Step-by-step: filling and submitting the application

Follow these sequential steps to complete the form, obtain approvals, and establish credit terms with minimal processing delays.

  • 01
    Prepare documents: Gather ID, EIN, and trade references.
  • 02
    Complete application: Fill all required fields and attach supporting documents.
  • 03
    Authorize checks: Sign credit authorization and consent sections.
  • 04
    Submit to credit team: Email or upload to vendor credit department for review.

Customize an online workflow for credit approvals

Configure a repeatable digital workflow to route applications, collect signatures, and trigger credit checks automatically.

Field Configuration
Required Fields Mark name, TIN, signature as mandatory
Conditional Rules Show guarantor fields if business risk triggers
Authentication Use email or SMS OTP for signer verification
Notifications Auto-notify credit team on submission

Digital delivery and technical format considerations

Choose a platform that supports PDF and DOCX import, audit trails, and configurable authentication for legal strength.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365 compatible
  • Authentication: Email OTP, SMS code, or enhanced ID

Where to send and how routing typically works

A clear routing path reduces processing time: applicant to underwriting, then to credit approvals, then to billing and accounts receivable for setup.

  • Submit to Underwriting: Upload application to the credit queue
  • Underwriting Review: Perform trade and bureau checks
  • Approval Notice: Notify applicant of terms in writing
  • Account Setup: Create account and apply credit limit

Typical timelines, deadlines, and processing expectations

Processing times vary by organization size and risk level. Set expectations with applicants about review windows and documentation deadlines.

Application Submission Deadline:

Submit all documents before credit review begins

Credit Review Time:

Typically 5–10 business days for standard checks

Approval Effective Date:

Credit begins on the approval date listed in the notice

Credit Limit Review:

Conduct annual or as-needed reviews

Record Retention:

Retain application per legal and tax requirements

Key milestones and processing stages

These numbered stages show typical milestones from application to account activation and the main actions that occur at each stage.

01

1. Application Received

Intake confirmation and document completeness check

02

2. Underwriting Review

Trade references and credit bureau evaluation

03

3. Decision Issued

Approve, deny, or request further information

04

4. Account Activation

Set credit limit and notify billing systems

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the form

  • Submitting incomplete tax identification or mismatched business names that delay credit checks and trigger manual follow-up.
  • Using vague payment language such as 'reasonable terms' instead of precise net days and late fee rates.
  • Failing to obtain explicit credit-check consent or a dated signature, which complicates authorization for third-party inquiries.
  • Neglecting to identify an authorized signer, resulting in disputes over whether the individual had authority to bind the company.

Penalties and risks from incorrect or missing information

Incorrect TIN: Backup withholding 24% may apply
Late 1099s: $60–$330 per form penalties
I-9 Violations: $281–$2,789 per violation
Unenforceable Terms: Vague clauses risk invalidation
Unauthorized Signature: Contract may be voidable
Data Exposure: Privacy breaches risk regulatory fines

Security, compliance, and evidence you should capture

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Data at Rest: AES-256 encryption
Audit Trail: Signed event log and timestamps
HIPAA Support: BAA available for PHI workflows
Regulatory: ESIGN and UETA compliance
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Comparison: signNow and common eSignature alternatives

Basic pricing and capability differences to consider when choosing an eSignature provider; signNow appears first for direct comparison of starting prices and key features.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real implementation examples from customers

Two brief customer stories illustrate how organizations use the form to speed approvals and ensure compliance.

Optica Ventures LLC

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

  • Streamlined onboarding reduced processing time.
  • As COO, Brian Fitzgibbons valued faster completion and fewer manual follow-ups, which improved cash flow and lowered administrative overhead while preserving audit evidence for approvals.

Martin Properties

I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.

  • Mobile signing on site expedites deals.
  • Tim Martin, Founder, noted that executing credit terms digitally allowed the firm to finalize vendor accounts and close transactions without waiting for in-person signatures, improving turnaround and tenant satisfaction.

Who commonly signs and approves credit agreements

Credit Manager

Responsible for underwriting and setting credit limits; evaluates trade references and financial statements, confirms authorized signers, and documents approvals to support collections or UCC filings if accounts go delinquent.

Business Owner

Often signs personal guarantees or executes agreements on behalf of a small business; must ensure the business name and TIN are accurate and that they have authority to bind the company contractually.

FAQs: common questions about the Agreement and Application for Credit Terms

Answers to frequent questions about eSignatures, authority, required fields, revocation, and recordkeeping to reduce confusion during processing.


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