Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions are some of the more common that we answer every day. If you have questions that aren't answered here please call or send us an e-mail. Use the Contact Us link on left. We will be happy to try to answer any questions you have or clarify the answers listed here.

  1. Why do you need my personal guaranty?
  2. Can you waive my personal guaranty?
  3. How do I get a copy of my personal credit bureau?
  4. How can I improve my personal credit score?
  5. How can I improve my business credit?
  6. Why should I lease?
  7. How is leasing different from renting?
  8. Who can lease?
  9. What can I lease?
  10. Can I get the brand of equipment I want?
  11. What if I don't have a vendor for the equipment I need?
  12. Who pays for the maintenance and upkeep of leased equipment?
  13. What are the tax advantages associated with leasing?
  14. Can I lease computer software?
  15. When will my lease payments begin?
  16. Do I lose my manufacturer's guarantees, warranties, or services when I lease?
  17. What are my options at the end of the lease?
  18. How much do I pay if I choose to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease?
  19. Who handles the termination of the lease?
  20. I already own my equipment. Can I use leasing?
  21. How long does it take to get approved?
  22. How long of a term can I get?
  23. Can I use multiple vendors?
  24. Are payment options flexible?

Why do you need my personal guaranty?

With the exception of public corporations and long-established companies with millions of dollars net worth, we will require a personal guaranty from the majority owners to enhance the approval. In most cases, this lease will not be reported on your personal credit bureaus as a "trade line" unless your account becomes seriously past due.

You've built up a successful business and we are asking you to stand behind your company. This is especially true when there are a few majority owners with a large personal stake in the business. Typically, the way an individual conducts their personal affairs will reflect how they conduct their business affairs.

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Can you waive my personal guaranty?

There are times when we are able to waive a personal guaranty, especially when we are able to review the owner's personal credit. This is strongly subject to credit approval. Generally your chances of having a "PG" waived require the following criteria:

  • Verifiable time in business of at least 7-10 years
  • Minimum of 10 employees,
  • Strong business credit reports with prompt pay history,
  • Minimum low 5 figure bank account with no NSF activity in last 12 months,
  • One (1) comparable "corp only" loan or lease reference (not real estate or a
    vehicle),
  • Acceptable credit bureau information on owners,
  • Strong net worth of company and widely held ownership will also help us acquire a
    "corp only" approval.

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How do I get a copy of my personal credit bureau?

Reviewing your credit on an annual basis is strongly recommended.This will help you stay on top of inaccuracies on your bureau and protect you against identity theft.

The first thing to do is obtain a copy of all 3 of your credit bureaus directly from the reporting agencies. You will need a copy of your bureau to dispute any inaccuracies.

You may do this by going to their website or phoning them:

Experian
www.experian.com
Phone: 888-397-3742

Equifax
www.equifax.com
Phone: 800-685-1111

Trans Union
www.transunion.com
Phone: 800-888-4213

As a result of the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, all consumers will be entitled to a free copy of their credit report annually. The free credit-report access began Dec. 1, 2004 in the Western US, with staggered dates for the rest of the country. Access to your credit scores will cost a "fair and reasonable" fee. We highly recommend business owners review their personal credit quarterly for both errors and as a fraud-prevention tool.

For more information about this program, click here: https://www.annualcreditreport.com

If you have been denied credit, housing, or employment, or if you are unemployed, your bureau is free. There are also several states that require the credit reporting agencies to release a copy of your report to you free of charge. Otherwise, the cost is about $9.00 per report. There may be a higher fee to see your "score". This score will be very helpful for you to know, as many credit decisions, and subsequent financing rates, are based on your score.

Your credit bureaus should include instructions for disputing any errors and we encourage you to dispute anything inaccurate.

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How can I improve my score?

  • Pay your bills on time. Approximately 35% of your score is based on pay history.
  • Keep your borrowing in line. Approximately 30% of your score is based on how much debt you have. Not all debt is bad. We like to see a mortgage and good installment loan debt like vehicles. Having a very high amount of credit card debt will bring your score down. How much of your total debt you have paid down will also be a factor in your score.
  • Length of credit history. A longer credit history will generally help your score, provided that lengthy history is paid as agreed.
  • Don't take on too much new credit too quickly. Approximately 10% of your score is based on how many new accounts you have. Additionally, you want to avoid having a lot of inquiries on your credit.
  • Don't close the credit cards you're not using. Doing so might sound tempting, but it can reduce the total amount of credit card debt available to you. We like to see at least 50% of your credit card line available.

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How can I improve my business credit?

  • If you are just starting out or have been established for a while, call Dun & Bradstreet (D & B) and let them know you are in business. D & B is the business equivalent of a personal credit bureau. They will assign you a "Duns" Number that can come in handy when looking for credit. They will probably try to sell you products and services. It is important to remember that these are optional and getting listed with D & B is free.
  • Do NOT report financial information to Dun & Bradstreet on your company. Simply give them your address, # of employees, and the minimum amount of information required for their files. The contact information for D & B is:
    Dun & Bradstreet
    www.dnb.com
    800-234-3867.
  • Set up a business phone line and get listed in the yellow pages. It is not necessary to have an ad in the Yellow Pages to be listed. Having a dedicated business phone number is important, even if you are a sole proprietor working from home or on your cell.
  • Register your business with the state. Even if you are a sole proprietor, it's important to be registered. Additionally, check with your local city and county to see if you need any additional licenses to operate a business.
  • Pay your suppliers on time. They may be reporting to D & B your pay history, and paying slowly can lower your "Paydex". A Paydex is a number that indicates how quickly you pay your bills. Additionally, we may request trade references from your suppliers.

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Why should I lease?

Leasing offers many advantages over any other type of financing. Leasing will not deplete financial resources like paying cash. Leasing also offers 100% financing unlike a bank loan that will usually require a large down payment. There are also tax benefits to leasing that will usually save youmoney. Leasing allows most businesses to have the equipment pay for itself.

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How is leasing different from renting?

While there are several differences between the two, leasing gives you added flexibility by giving you the option to purchase the equipment, return it, or renew the lease.

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Who can lease?

Computer Financing can provide leasing services for companies, professional practices, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and municipalities.

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What can I lease?

Computer Financing can help you lease computers, software, graphic and audio equipment, fax machines, copiers, office furniture, printing presses, machine tools, Point-of-Sale Systems, telephone/voice mail systems, industrial equipment, construction equipment, and any other equipment that your business uses.

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Can I get the brand of equipment I want?

Yes, because the equipment is obtained from the vendor of your choice and you negotiate the best price. This allows you to obtain the equipment that is right for your company, at the right price.

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What if I don't have a vendor for the equipment I need?

In many cases we can refer you to vendors that have the equipment you are looking to acquire for your business.

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Who pays for the maintenance and upkeep of the leased equipment?

The business using the equipment is responsible for all maintenance and services, unless a maintenance agreement was supplied by the vendor. Maintenance and service can be included and added on to your lease.

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What are the tax advantages associated with leasing?

Your lease payments are usually 100% deductible as an operating expense. So you pay for you equipment out of current, untaxed income rather than out of already taxed profits.

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Can I lease computer software?

Yes! You're able to lease up to 100% on software!

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When will my lease payments begin?

Payments will be scheduled to begin only after you have received and approved of the equipment.

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Do I lose my manufacturer's guarantees, warranties, or services when I lease?

No, you will receive the same benefits as if you purchased the equipment outright.

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What are my options at the end of the lease?

There are three options at the end of the lease:

  • You may renew the lease
  • You may choose to return the equipment to us or
  • You may purchase the equipment

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How much do I pay if I choose to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease?

Based on the type of the equipment and the duration of the lease, the purchase option will be decided upon at the beginning of the lease. It could be a predetermined amount (either a $1.00 purchase option or a fixed percentage of the amount financed) or the fair market value of the equipment at the end of the lease.

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Who handles the termination of the lease?

Computer Financing will help you through every step of your leasing process from your initial application through the termination of the lease. I already own my equipment.

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Can I use leasing?

Yes, depending on the current condition of the equipment and the reasons behind pursuing this option, it is possible to do a sale-leaseback. We will buy your equipment and lease it back to you!

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How long does it take to get approved?

We can begin processing your lease once we receive an easy one page application. After we receive your application, you will usually receive approval in 8 hours under normal circumstances.

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How long of a term can I get?

Depending on your needs and the equipment you are leasing, terms anywhere from 12 to 72 months are available. This will again depend on the specific situation.

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Can I use multiple vendors?

Yes! You can also combine non related equipment on the same lease.

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Are payment options flexible?

Yes, we understand that not every business has the same operating schedule or conditions. Seasonal businesses, for instance, may have a hard time making payments in the off-season. We can work with your business to schedule payments for times when you will have the income to handle them.

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If you have any further questions or questions specific to your business, please e-mail us at info@ComputerFinancing.com. You may also call us at 772-978-1194 and we'll do our best to answer your question.

© Computer & Equipment Lease Financing, 2005
926 47th. Ave, Suite 101      Vero Beach, FL 32966     (772)-978-1194     FAX: (772) 365-0263

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