There is no single best STC trader. There is the best trader for your volume, your cash position and the kind of jobs you do. Here is a way to compare them that keeps the marketing out.
The comparison table
Build one row per trader and fill it in from written information, not phone promises.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Net dollars per STC after all deductions | The only price that counts |
| When is the rate locked? | Certainty versus market exposure |
| Days from lodgement to cash | Cash flow and counterparty risk |
| Any fees or deductions? | Hidden cost |
| Clawback terms | Exposure after payment |
| Exclusivity or minimum volume | Flexibility |
| Pre-check of photos and forms | Fewer rejected claims |
| Portal, API and accounting integration | Admin time |
| Named contact | Who answers when a claim stalls |
Best payment terms
Terms are rate plus time. A rate that is half a dollar higher but paid in three weeks can be worth less than a lower rate paid tomorrow once your cash cost is counted. See 20 days versus 1 day. Also check that “paid within X days” runs from lodgement or sign-off, not from the trader’s own internal approval.
Reviews
Look for reviews that mention specifics: how long payment took, how a rejected claim was handled, whether the account manager answered the phone. Treat extremes with caution, and ask installers in your own network. Our page on STC trader reviews covers what to trust.
Features that save time
If you lodge more than a handful of claims a week, the portal matters. See STC trader portal, API and Xero features. A trader with a clean upload flow and photo checking will save hours.
What this means for installers
Make the shortlist, ask each trader for its written terms, and fill in the table. Then do a trial. Energy Merchants publishes its rate daily on the pricing page, charges zero fees, pre-checks every claim and settles established partners within 24 hours, so you can put us in the table beside the rest. If you want to see the process end to end, how it works and the choosing a certificate trader checklist are the next stops. When you are ready, start trading, and see onboarding steps for what to have on hand.