Last updated: November 4, 2026 · Reviewed by BOLD VAN's EDI team
In This Article
Quick Answer
If your EDI VAN lowered your rate only after you got a competing quote, you can estimate what you overpaid with a simple formula: (old monthly bill − new monthly bill) × number of months at the old rate. For example, a bill that dropped from $1,000 to $600 after three years means about $14,400 overpaid. Then compare that new rate with a quote from another provider to see what you could save going forward.
Raise your hand if you like saving money! 🙋♂️🙋♀️
Now keep your hand up if you also enjoy overpaying for years until your EDI VAN provider suddenly "discovers" it can offer you a lower rate. No takers? We didn't think so.
Definition
VAN Overpayment is the difference between what a business paid its EDI value-added network (VAN) and the lower rate the provider offered once the business got a competing quote or threatened to leave, added up over the months the business paid the higher rate.
If your provider offers a discount only after you bring it a lower quote from a competitor, you may have been paying more than necessary for years. Putting a number on it helps you decide whether to stay or switch. Here is how to work it out.
Pull your VAN invoices from the past year and find your average monthly bill before any recent discount was applied.
Compare your costs with another provider, such as BOLD VAN. Pricing that scales sensibly as you add trading partners is key to making sure you don't pay more than necessary as your business grows. If your current provider suddenly cuts its rate when you mention leaving, treat that as a red flag.
Use the formula below to estimate how much extra you have paid over time.
If your VAN could offer a lower rate all along, why didn't it? Staying after a sudden discount can signal that you will keep paying more until you push back again, and there is no guarantee the lower rate will last at renewal.
Don't wait until you've overpaid for another year. Compare your options and choose a provider that offers fair pricing from the start.
Overpayment Formula
(Old monthly bill − New monthly bill) × Number of months at the old rate = Total overpayment
To estimate what you could save going forward, use: (Current monthly bill − Competing quote) × 12 = Estimated annual savings
Here is the example from above, plus two more for comparison:
| Old Monthly Bill | New Monthly Bill | Months at Old Rate | Total Overpaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $600 | 36 (3 years) | $14,400 |
| $2,500 | $1,800 | 24 (2 years) | $16,800 |
| $5,000 | $3,500 | 48 (4 years) | $72,000 |
In the first example, ($1,000 − $600) × 36 = $14,400. That is money your company could have invested elsewhere, paid only because the lower rate wasn't offered until you spoke up.
2026 Free Mapping Event
Moving VANs? Through Dec. 31, 2026, we build and maintain the maps for the trading partners you move to BOLD Integration, at no mapping cost.
Send us your current VAN bill, and we will show you how it compares. Call (844) 265-3777 or email info@boldvan.com.
Get a QuoteSubtract your new monthly bill from your old monthly bill, then multiply by the number of months you paid the old rate. For example, ($1,000 − $600) × 36 months = $14,400.
Some providers offer better pricing only when a customer's business is at risk. If a lower price was possible, it is fair to ask why it wasn't offered sooner.
Compare it with other quotes first, and ask how pricing will change as you grow and at renewal. A last-minute discount isn't necessarily the best long-term price.
Subtract a competing quote from your current monthly bill and multiply by 12 to estimate annual savings.
Not usually. With BOLD VAN, a transmission-only move typically needs about two weeks' notice, you keep your existing IDs, and your trading partners don't need to do anything differently.
Most customers pay by the number of trading partners they work with, and high-volume programs get a quote built around their volume.
Key Facts
If an EDI VAN lowers its rate only after a customer gets a competing quote, the customer can estimate past overpayment with (old monthly bill − new monthly bill) × months at the old rate. A drop from $1,000 to $600 after 36 months means $14,400 overpaid. Estimated annual savings from switching can be calculated as (current bill − competing quote) × 12.
According to BOLD VAN, most customers pay by trading partner, with quotes for high-volume programs. A transmission-only move typically needs about two weeks' notice, existing IDs are kept and trading partners don't need to change anything. Spanx saw an 82% drop in monthly EDI costs after switching.
