Terms of payment vary broadly in practice. At one conclusion, if the seller has financial resources, she or he may extend liberal credit to the buyers, conversely the buyer pays in advance and finances the whole trade cycle. The terms of credit differ for various industries and are dictated through prevailing trade practices. Generally, businesses operating in monopoly environment will require advance or cash payment while business operating in a competitive environment will expand credit to the buyers. The main terms of payment are as listed as given below:

Cash Terms

While goods are sold on cash terms, the sales consideration or say payment is received either before goods are sold as advance payment or while the goods are delivered as cash on delivery Cash term usually exist under the subsequent conditions:

(a) While goods are made to order

(b) While the buyer is perceived to be less credit worthy

(c) The seller is in strong bargaining position.