B2B Buying Without a Credit Card: The Open Account & Term Invoice Guide

Seen through consumer e-commerce habits it may look odd: in Türkiye and worldwide, the majority of corporate purchasing happens without credit cards. In most companies employees hold no corporate card — and where cards exist, limits and spend policies reserve them for exceptions. So how do large organisations buy? The answer: open account trading and term invoicing.

Why not cards?

• Control: A card means money leaves at the moment of spending, bypassing approval flows. The request-approval-order chain makes every spend visible in advance.
• Audit: Invoice + order + goods receipt tell the full story of every purchase. A card statement can't.
• Cash flow: Term invoices let payment be scheduled weeks after delivery, easing working capital.
• Scale: Running a site's monthly six-figure materials spend through a card is neither practical nor manageable for accounting.

How is an open account established?

An open account is a documented, trust-based trading arrangement between buyer and supplier. A typical setup:

1. Introduction and documents: Tax registration, signature circulars and trade registry details are exchanged; the account is opened.
2. Setting the terms: Payment terms (e.g. 30/45/60 days), delivery conditions and, where needed, a credit limit are agreed.
3. First purchases: Early orders usually run on advance payment or short terms; as regular trade settles, terms and limits expand.
4. Reconciliation: Monthly or periodic statements verify records on both sides.

How term invoicing works

The order is approved, goods are delivered, the e-invoice is issued — and payment follows at the agreed term, counted from invoice or delivery date as the contract states. For the buyer this means flexibility to match cash out with revenue; for the supplier, predictable collection.

Note: Terms are a financing instrument and can be reflected in pricing. Discounts for advance payment and premiums for long terms are normal market practice. The right question isn't "the longest term" but "the total cost that best fits our cash flow".

Combined with request-for-quote buying

Open account trading works best in the request-for-quote model: you send your needs list, receive a written quote, approve it, and the process closes with delivery and invoice. No card details, no online payment, no virtual POS — every step documented and respectful of your approval flow.

Frequently asked: "How do we start term trading with a new supplier?"

The sensible path is gradual: advance or short-term payment on first orders, moving to your standard terms as trust and volume build. A professional supplier will propose this progression themselves — all they expect is regular reconciliation and on-time payment.

At AKSCO, our whole working model is built on this routine: send your request and we'll clarify payment and term options along with the quote. You don't need a credit card — you never did.