The value of a single I-beam is several times that of a rebar bar, so your choice of payment method has a bigger effect on cash flow. We weigh the advantages and risks of each method.
Consider one load of rebar and one load of beams with similar weights; the price of beams is usually several times higher. This means that a decision about the payment method that may seem simple for rebar can have a much greater impact on your business’s liquidity when it comes to beams.
Why a Higher Unit Value Changes Everything
A cash purchase of a large load of beams, even with a good discount, may tie up a significant portion of your working capital for several weeks until the load itself is sold. This risk also exists for rebar, but because the price per unit is lower, it is usually felt less severely.
| Purchase method | Main advantage | Main risk when purchasing beams |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | Possibility of a cash discount; immediate ownership | Because the unit value is high, a large cash purchase can tie up the entire business’s liquidity for a period of time |
| Postdated check | Purchasing without immediately tying up liquidity | The same risk of a bounced check as with rebar, except that the amount of each transaction is usually larger |
| Credit account or purchase on credit | Smoother cash flow for regular customers | Because the amount is higher, the parties’ trust and track record must be stronger than in smaller transactions |
One load of beams is worth as much as several loads of rebar; this is precisely what makes the payment-method decision more sensitive.
Postdated Checks: The Same Advantage, Greater Risk
Paying with a postdated check allows you to receive and sell the load now, then settle the payment at maturity. The problem is that because the amount of each check for beams is usually larger, a bounced check also causes greater financial damage to you or the seller. Reviewing the counterparty’s credit history is even more important for beams than for rebar.
A Practical Solution: Separating Risk Based on Transaction Volume
- For smaller beam transactions, the same logic used for rebar can be applied.
- For large transactions, if possible, divide the load into several deliveries and separate settlements so that the risk is not concentrated all at once.
- For new and unknown customers, exercise greater caution with large volumes, even if they offer a long-term check.
- For regular suppliers with a long track record, a credit account can make both parties’ cash flow smoother for recurring transactions.
The decision-making principle is the same as with rebar: the payment method should be aligned with the speed at which your goods circulate and your liquidity capacity. The main difference for beams is that every mistake in this decision has a greater impact on the business because of the higher value of each transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
چرا روش پرداخت برای تیرآهن حساس‌تر از میلگرد است؟
چون ارزش واحد تیرآهن نسبت به میلگرد بیشتر است، هر معامله مبلغ بزرگ‌تری دارد. خرید نقدی می‌تواند نقدینگی بیشتری قفل کند و یک چک برگشتی، آسیب مالی بزرگ‌تری وارد می‌کند.
برای خرید حجیم تیرآهن چه راهکاری ریسک را کم می‌کند؟
تقسیم بار به چند تحویل و چند تسویهٔ جداگانه، به‌جای یک معاملهٔ بزرگ یک‌جا، می‌تواند ریسک را متعادل‌تر توزیع کند.
آیا حساب اعتباری برای خرید تیرآهن مناسب است؟
برای تأمین‌کنندگان ثابت با سابقهٔ طولانی معاملاتی، بله؛ اما چون مبلغ هر معامله بالاتر است، این اعتماد باید قوی‌تر از معاملات کوچک‌تر میلگرد باشد.
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