Joseph Mercurio Produce LLC Relies on Blue Book for Smart Credit and Collections Decisions

.

Joseph Mercurio, owner of Joseph Mercurio Produce LLC, has relied on Blue Book as a crucial resource for making informed credit and collections decisions throughout his family’s three-generation business in Columbus, Ohio. As a company that has navigated the challenges of a fluctuating economy, the Mercurio family has used Blue Book’s services to evaluate new customer credit, helping them make smarter, more reliable decisions. Joe Mercurio explains, “It has been an enormous benefit when it comes time to evaluate whether to extend credit (how much, how long) to new customers who want to go on board.”

Blue Book’s role extends beyond just credit evaluations. When issues arise, such as past-due payments or delivery problems, Mercurio finds the service valuable for obtaining a second opinion. “If I had a problem such as past due payments or a good delivery problem, I could always get a second opinion from the Blue Book,” he shares. This ability to quickly access vital information has been instrumental in keeping the business on track and preventing financial setbacks.

The trust Joe Mercurio places in Blue Book extends to his relationships with vendors as well. He often checks whether potential vendors are members of Blue Book before moving forward. “I have often asked potential vendors who would solicit business from me if they are members of the Blue Book, and once in a while, I would run across one that wasn’t a member. As nicely as possible, I would strongly suggest they become a member of one of the oldest and best credit reporting companies I’ve ever done business with,” he says. Over the years, many vendors have followed his advice, continuing their membership with Blue Book and fostering a sense of security in their business transactions.

For Mercurio, Blue Book has proven to be more than just a credit and collections tool; it has become an integral part of how he runs his business. “Short and sweet, the Blue Book has been a very influential organization in our industry for over 123 years,” he concludes. The value of Blue Book’s services is clear to Joseph Mercurio, who considers it an essential part of maintaining successful and trustworthy relationships in the produce industry.