I recently wanted to reopen my account with Stuller I hadn’t used in
a couple years and was told they needed a copy of my social security
card to activate my account. I have never had ANY business ask for
this and kind of feel they don’t have a right to this. Am i off
track?
Dave Owen
tell them that there are other companies around and no one gets to
see anyones private S.I.N…I too, would be damned ticked off… ask
for the “account head-representative”. let them know of your
feelings…that IS VERY PRIVATE…gerry
According to the Social Security government website, the following
answers your question:
[quote] If a business or other enterprise asks you for your number,
you can refuse to give it. However, that may mean doing without the
purchase or service for which your number was requested. For example,
utility companies and other services ask for a Social Security
number, but do not need it; they can do a credit check or identify
the person in their records by alternative means.
Giving your number is voluntary, even when you are asked for the
number directly. If requested, you should ask why your number is
needed, how your number will be used, what law requires you to give
your number and what the consequences are if you refuse. The answers
to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your
Social Security number. [end quote]
Dorothy
Dave, it must depend on who answers the phone. I have used them as my
primary source of gold findings, stones and wire. I haven’t been
active for a few years due to my health. After trying to log in with
no success, I posted an inquiry to their customer support and was
told that my account was flagged as ‘inactive’ and to reactive it, I
would have to show proof of $500 in gold purchases along with my tax
ID. I replied informing them that they WERE my gold sources, I never
received a reply. I have taken my business elsewhere.
I recently wanted to reopen my account with Stuller I hadn't used in a couple years and was told they needed a copy of my social security card to activate my account.
I believe that if you have a Federal Tax ID number they do not need
your Social Security number.
If you are not Incorporated and you are opening an account, you are
basically applying for a loan and as with bank loans, social is
needed.
With a Stuller account, you have the ability to order many thousands
of dollars of materials and they need to know they can find you if
you do not pay.
When I operated my business as a sole proprietor and I did not have a
Fed Tax ID, I had to use my Social for some accounts. I do not see
that there is any more risk in giving Stuller your Socia= l than a
bank.
I have had an account with Stuller for over 25 years. They have the
highest standards of honesty and integrity of any company I have
done business with.
Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.
Dave -
I don’t know why a wholesaler would need your SSN, unless you don’t
still have an EIN. Your employer identification number (EIN (aka
FEIN, that is, federal EIN)) should be sufficient. If you don’t have
that, go ahead and get one, it only takes a week or so. (Do it
online, very easy - let me know if you need a URL.) Even if you are
not going to have employees, it’s a good thing to have…I could not
have gotten my business phone line without it.
Beyond that, I had the devil’s own time getting an account with
Stuller when I first started out. Wound up finding all kinds of
other suppliers for the items I needed, so by the time I got the
Stuller acct, I almost didn’t need it!
Check out Otto Frei, if you haven’t already. I’d stick like glue to
them, but there are just some things they don’t carry, sadly…
best regards,
Kelley Dragon
Hi Dave:
I just reactivated my account with them too, and they asked for my
SS#, but not a copy of the card. I objected, and talked to the woman
in new accounts about it. Apparently it has something to do with new
banking ID requirements under the patriot act.
So, it’s not just you. Ask me whether or not I think it’s right,
that’s a whole 'nother issue, but it’s not just you, and I got the
sense it wasn’t really something Stuller wanted to be doing either.
Regards,
Brian Meek.
I recently wanted to reopen my account with Stuller I hadn't used in a couple years and was told they needed a copy of my social security card to activate my account. I have never had ANY business ask for this and kind of feel they don't have a right to this. Am i off track?
Stuller is a fine company, I am sure. But I also am put off by the
very steep, bothersome and over nosy requirements to open an account.
I had an account many years ago, that took more documentation to set
up than my mortgage. After it had lapsed for several years they would
not even answer my questions regarding the availability of a product.
I can’t see jumping through all those hoops to open an account just
in case they might have what I was looking for. There are a lot of
suppliers competing for our business. I know Stuller is a very good
supplier once you get past the credit department, but there are other
suppliers that are also very good who are a lot friendlier to the
now-and-then customer.
Stephen Walker
Unless one is selling medical help or extending credit, or loaning an
item of value (think rental movies here) to an individual, it is
unlawful to request a SS number. I am involved in a Federal lawsuit
over just that, as a complainant.
Wayne Emery
The Gemcutter
www.thelittlecameras.com
I assume they want to do a credit check. Whether that’s necessary
(for them) depends on what kind of account you have. If you pay by
credit card, or pay in advance, I don’t see why they would need it.
Don’t your insurance carriers ask for the SSN? That’s the one that
irritates me most. They can’t convince me that my credit rating
predicts my future driving record.
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ
they needed a copy of my social security card to activate my account.
We haven’t had that with our Stuller account, but ours isn’t an open
account, either - we use a credit card. Recently we had to update our
gold account (AFEX) to include a SSN. the reason given was Homeland
Security… Keeping track of the flow of money, I gather…
I recently wanted to reopen my account with Stuller I hadn't used in a couple years and was told they needed a copy of my social security card to activate my account. I have never had ANY business ask for this and kind of feel they don't have a right to this. Am i off track?
I’m with you, Dave. As it clearly states on your social security card
it is not to be used for identification but still everyone wants to
know it or at least the last 4 digits before you can get anywhere
with a bank, insurance company, or the phone company. It could be
Homeland Security is poking their nose into large sellers of
precious metals and gems.
Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
rockymountainwonders.com
Just a guess here but they maybe want your SSN to run a personal
credit check. A closely held corp and sole props are granted credit
based also on your personal credit score. If they want an actual copy
of the card…sounds more homeland security oriented, although I
haven’t heard of that before.
Personally (and this is no knock on Stuller itself), who needs 'em?
Much better to pay as you go with findings. Use a debit card.
Buy(and pay for) your findings, get paid yourself shortly thereafter,
you’re golden. No debt. No accounts payable management. You’ll never
be not shipped because of past dues. Your cash flow stays flowing. It
makes little to no sense to finance short term materials purchases.
That is a quick road to problems. Save debt for inventory…purchases
that sell over time.
Reminds me of a story…
In the old days, the sales rep was often sent to collect past due
accounts.
Mom and Pop run a small jewelry shop. They pay their bills once a
month. They see how much money is available. They have all the
accounts payable in a hat and pull a few out to pay.
One day Rep comes in looking for money. He gets nasty to the wife.
Pop says, “You’ll have to change you tone or else” Rep huffs, “or
else what?”
“Or else we’ll take your name out of the hat.”
Personally (and this is no knock on Stuller itself), who needs 'em? Much better to pay as you go with findings. Use a debit card. Buy(and pay for) your findings, get paid yourself shortly thereafter, you're golden. No debt. No accounts payable management. You'll never be not shipped because of past dues. Your cash flow stays flowing.
Who needs them? I do. It does not hurt to have 30 days credit. Some
jobs take a couple of weeks and the money is tied up in materials for
2-3 weeks.
Over 20 years with Stuller, and I am spoiled by their knowledgeable
staff and extremely large inventory.
Stuller has never not shipped when I have gotten past 30 days. I got
into a situation when my wife had large medical bills, and I talked
with them, they asked what I could pay each month on a balance at
Christmas time when I had a large balance.
What works for Neil is best for Neil, what works for me is best for
me.
Doing business with Stuller gives me a credit reference when I need
30 days for purchasing inventory. That has never hurt me, as I pay
according to agreements.
From what I understand debit cards are not as safe as credit cards
for making purchases.
In Denver where they are hashing out the new pot laws.
Richard Hart G.G.
I do not see that there is any more risk in giving Stuller your Social than a bank.
Different cases. The bank needs your SSN if they are paying you
interest or charging you tax-deductible interest, so they can report
to the IRS.
Also, the bank has mandated procedures for protecting you. I
wouldn’t be so sure about Stuller, and at a minimum would ask for a
written copy of their privacy practices.
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ
Beyond that, I had the devil's own time getting an account with Stuller when I first started out. Wound up finding all kinds of other suppliers for the items I needed, so by the time I got the Stuller acct, I almost didn't need it!
Ditto (apart from not actually getting a Stuller account). I found
that they wanted me to jump through so many hoops to open an account
Helen
UK
Although I’m not affiliated with Stuller, nor do I have a financial
interest in them - I do have a few opinions on this thread.
The first is - for my money you will not find a better run, more
co-operative, more helpful organization than the one headed up by
Matt Stuller. Call there anytime and ask for help, advice, options
etc, and watch them go to work for you. From my customers perspective
there’s nothing I can’t do, and the reason I can do everything is
because the whole Stuller organization serves as my “back room.” Take
the time to get to know the staff by name, and I can promise you’ll
find the gain worth the investment.
The second is - thank goodness they take the time needed to verify
their customers are actually people in the business, and not merely
someone looking for a one time purchase, a “good deal,” or a cheap
price. The time they take, the “hoops” they might make someone jump
through serve to help those of us who make a living in this industry.
The obvious question is, do you want your customers to be able to
head over to a wholesaler to check prices and buy directly, or would
you rather they rely on us? How many times have you been to a site
that claims to offer wholesale prices, only to find that all it takes
to access those prices is a phone number and a credit card? How does
that help us?
It’s understandable that we all want to protect like our
SSN’s. But, before we start chanting ideas like unlawful, illegal,
and law suit - wouldn’t it make sense to simply ask why such
is needed, how it will be used, and how it will be
protected? (Would an EIN serve as a substitute?) Maybe there’s a
legitimate reason, maybe it’s actually done to protect us from fraud
and I.D. theft.
Lastly, something I learned early on in the military was - don’t
shoot the friendlies. I think that’s pretty sound advice in business
too. On this site we frequently moan about customers not
understanding us, all we want is fairness and a bit of empathy, or
at least some sympathy. I wonder what sites companies like Stuller,
Frei and Rio Grande go to when their day is over? I think it might be
interesting to hear what they have to say about us.
Respectfully,
Ski & Cathy
Rocks to Gems