Vendor Program & Vendor Vault Service Plans: FAQs

Punchmark is introducing Vendor Vault service plans to support the continued operation and growth of our Vendor Program. A free plan remains available, and existing vendors may receive customized allowances based on their current participation. Here’s what the changes mean for your brand.


Do I have to pay to remain in the Vendor Program?

No. You do not have to subscribe to the paid Essentials or Professional Plan simply to remain in the Vendor Program. A free plan is still available, and vendors can continue participating at no charge while staying within their account’s product and retailer-subscriber allowances.

For many existing vendors, we are establishing grandfathered allowances that accommodate their current usage. Your customized service-plan information will explain the limits that apply to your brand.


Will my products be removed from retailer websites if I don’t choose Essentials?

Choosing the free plan does not, by itself, mean your products will be removed from your retailers’ websites. You can continue participating on the free plan within your account’s allowances.

If your current catalog or retailer network exceeds the standard free-plan limits, please review your customized plan before assuming you need to reduce your catalog or upgrade. Your account may have higher grandfathered allowances.


What is the difference between the Vendor Program and Vendor Vault?

The Vendor Program connects your brand’s product data with participating Punchmark retailer websites. It helps retailers display your products without having to build and maintain that catalog themselves.

The Vendor Vault is the vendor-facing portal for managing your participation and accessing tools for your brand. Some of its newer tools, including the Marketing Library and advanced Brand Performance analytics, require the Essentials Plan.


Why is Punchmark introducing service plans?

Our primary goal is giving Vendors the most visibility of the products through their retailers effortlessly to maximize sales. Maintaining the Vendor Program involves more than storing a product spreadsheet. Our team processes and organizes product data, hosts and delivers images, maintains the systems that distribute your catalog, and supports vendors and retailers. Service plans help cover that ongoing work while supporting continued improvements to Vendor Vault.


What is the difference between the free plan and Essentials?

The standard free plan allows up to 2,000 products and 5 retailer subscribers. Existing vendors may receive higher grandfathered allowances, so your customized plan is the reference for your account.


What does “grandfathered” mean?

Grandfathering means setting customized allowances that accommodate an existing vendor’s participation, rather than applying the standard free-plan limits to every account.

For example, a vendor with 9,000 products and 22 retailer subscribers might receive a free-plan allowance of 10,000 products and 25 subscribers. In that example, the vendor could remain on the free plan while staying within those allowances.

This is an illustration, not a universal formula. Your account’s actual allowances will be outlined in your customized plan.


How do I find my current usage and plan allowances?

We are preparing account-specific follow-up information that outlines your current usage and the service plan for your brand.

If you have not received your breakdown, or would like help understanding it, email vendors@punchmark.com. We can review your product count, retailer subscribers, and available options with you.


What happens if I need more products or retailer subscribers than my plan allows?

If you expect to exceed your allowances, contact us to review your options. Depending on your needs, those options may include additional product or subscriber capacity, or moving to the Essentials Plan.

You do not need to assume that Essentials is your only option. We can help you compare the available choices and explain the applicable pricing.


What additional tools does Essentials provide?

Essentials includes access to newer Vendor Vault tools, including:

• Marketing Library: Tools for managing and sharing brand marketing assets with participating retailers.
• Advanced Brand Performance analytics: Additional insight into how your brand and products perform across the Punchmark retailer network.

These tools are separate from basic Vendor Program participation. You can remain on the free plan within your allowances without subscribing to these additional features.


How much does Essentials cost?

The Essentials Plan costs $175 per month. Review your customized service-plan information for your account’s allowances and any additional usage charges that may apply.

If you are unsure whether Essentials is the right fit, we are happy to walk through your current usage and the tools you would like to use.


What happens when my free trial of Essentials ends?

The free trial provides an opportunity to explore the additional Vendor Vault tools included with Essentials. Continued access to those tools after the trial requires the Essentials Plan.

The end of the trial does not mean the free Vendor Program option is going away. You can continue on the free plan within the allowances established for your account. Please contact us to confirm your trial timing and the plan that fits your needs.


What should I do now?

Review your customized service-plan information when it arrives. Check that the usage breakdown reflects your brand’s participation, and consider whether you need additional capacity or access to the Essentials tools.

If you have questions, have not received your plan information, or would like a demonstration of Vendor Vault, please get in touch. We can help you understand your options before you choose a plan.


Who can I contact with questions?

Email vendors@punchmark.com, or book a meeting with Michael Burpoe at a time that works for you.

We are happy to review your account, explain your allowances, and help you choose the right plan for your brand.