How do I obtain a pre-purchase invoice or quote from major retailers?

Nillionaire on 09/03/2023 - 13:21
Last edited 09/03/2023 - 13:23

Hey guys,

This might be a stupid question, but how do I go about obtaining a Payable by Invoice document from major retailers like of Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, IKEA, Apple, Good Guys, etc.

I have been approved for a NILS loan by Good Shepherd. If you aren't familiar with NILS, you can get a quick overview here:

I plan to use it to purchase some furniture and a laptop. I am required to provide them with a quote or invoice and they will purchase the product for me. If I recall correctly, the document is required to have the seller's ABN, my name and shipping address, and the products I want. It's a document I have to upload on Good Shephard so I don't think the email price quote Apple live chat sent to my email is what I need.

Is this something major retailers provide? I can't find anything on their websites about Payable by Invoice or generating such a document. I've sent out emails to most of them requesting it. Waiting on that and just confused if I'm missing something.

Thanks in advance for any insight~

Financial

Comments

  • 87percent on 09/03/2023 - 13:54

    JB Hifi does it when you initiate a chat with them, don't they?? i remember getting something from them one time

    • Nillionaire on 09/03/2023 - 14:08

      Nope - JB live chat told me they don't offer that through their retail service and told me to contact their business service. I've emailed them and yet to receive a reply.

      Apple live chat sent an email price quote which just has a link to the checkout page.

      IKEA live chat just told me they only do payable tax invoices for businesses.

      :/

      • 87percent on 09/03/2023 - 14:13

        maybe try good guys commercial, think they send you an invoice to pay

      • salmon123 on 09/03/2023 - 16:48
        +1

        Nope - JB live chat told me they don't offer that through their retail service

        They do it in store (at least around Sydney). Go to a sales person, haggle on a price, they'll print you a payable invoice which you take to the cashier. You can collect the goods after you pay. I don't know how long they keep the invoice open for though, if you don't complete the transaction the same day. I'm pretty sure if you explained the situation to them, they can figure something out.

        Good Guys/Appliances online do it over the phone and live chat too. Once you negotiate a price over either channel, they'll send you a payable invoice. Again, I don't know how long you have to make the payment.

        The problem you'll have is that Good Shepherd probably want to make the payment directly to the retailer via bank transfer (rather than a credit/debit card). I don't remember if the invoices have that as an option.

        Perhaps try asking the retailers if there's any way to pay via B-Pay or Bank Transfer. That should get you what you need.

  • 7ekn00 on 09/03/2023 - 14:13
    +4

    with a quote or invoice

    Two quite separate things!

    Ask retailers for a "quote", most will have that ability ;)

    • Nillionaire on 09/03/2023 - 15:00

      Okay I'll try that, thanks

  • djsweet on 09/03/2023 - 14:19
    +3

    Usually an invoice is payable after you receive the goods. So I doubt any retailer is going to give you that. Its usually only for B2B transactions. You probably want a quote. All I know is to get one at Officeworks is easy. They just scan your item at the register, and then instead of finalising the transaction, they press the "Quote" button, and it prints out a quote valid for x days. I imagine most retailers could do similar.

  • Drakesy on 09/03/2023 - 14:22
    +1

    Have you thought about buying secondhand?

    • Nillionaire on 09/03/2023 - 14:51
      -1

      No I'd like the laptop to be brand new. I'm open to second hand for furniture.

      • Drakesy on 09/03/2023 - 14:52
        +1

        But why?

      • brendanm on 09/03/2023 - 15:35
        +7

        I think if you're at the point of getting a nils loan, you should be trying to minimise outgoings as much as possible. There is a lot of free furniture on gumtree/marketplace. Lots of free/cheap laptops or computers as well. I sold a laptop for $10 the other day, just fine for the basics.

        • Drakesy on 09/03/2023 - 16:01
          +5

          Agreed, this is generally why the poor stay poor

          For the OP's sake i have friends on $200k+ who still buy everything off marketplace/gumtree.

          • brendanm on 09/03/2023 - 16:24
            +2

            @Drakesy: No shame in that, pretty sure every laptop I have in the house is either used it refurb.

            • Drakesy on 09/03/2023 - 16:46
              +1

              @brendanm: NGL i wouldn't be surprised if Gerry or JBhifi had a couple of lobbyits push for this from the Liberal NSW government solely to target the lower educated, low socioeconomic people. Same as the whole buy now pay later fad. Targeting the lowest 10%.

          • Johnsmithaus on 09/03/2023 - 18:52
            +3

            @Drakesy:

            why the poor stay poor

            inb4 this post gets downvoted due to a reality check

  • fredz0r on 09/03/2023 - 14:51
    +1

    Most business will be able to provide you with a quote if requested. Invoices are issued to collect payment after a business delivers goods or services to its customers. Unless you have a credit account with the business, they won't provide an Invoice to pay. Some businesses are able to provide a Proforma Invoice if requested but not many will. You could always pay upfront and have the invoice or receipt reimbursed. All businesses must provide a receipt for any purchases over $75.

  • Bafranz on 09/03/2023 - 15:03
    +1

    From good shep website to clear things up:

    A quote or invoice that shows: the date, a description of the item/service, the supplier’s details (business name, ABN, address, phone or email), banking or payment details, and the payment amount with delivery included.

    If you haven’t chosen the exact item you’d like to buy, but know the rough amount, you can talk to us about ‘pre-approval’ to see if you’ll be eligible

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