Use VCU’s Amazon Business Prime Account
Procurement Services maintains a purchasing program with Amazon Business that lets RealSource users shop Amazon’s selection through a dedicated punch-out e-catalog, on orders up to $10,000. It’s as easy to use as Amazon.com — but it’s accessed exclusively through RealSource.
Use VCU's Amazon Business account, not your personal Amazon. Only business-purpose items can be purchased, payment is by RealSource purchase order only (no P-Card, no gift cards), and you should never buy from Amazon using a personal account or personal funds.
Why use it
- Free 2-day shipping on Amazon Prime-eligible items
- Automatic tax-exempt purchasing — no extra steps
- Access to millions of products only available through Amazon Business
- Business pricing, including quantity discounts on eligible items
- Amazon Business Customer Service team access
- Membership fees are centrally funded by Procurement Services
Get started
Access the e-catalog from RealSource by selecting the Amazon Business logo on the home page, then follow the prompts to set up your account.
Already used an @vcu.edu address on a personal Amazon account? It must be converted under the university’s account. Use the Registration Guide:
- No personal purchases on the account → follow Scenario 2
- Made personal purchases on the account → follow Scenario 3
Frequently asked questions
Yes — the RealSource interface is virtually identical to Amazon.com. The difference is that VCU's Amazon Business Prime account and punch-out catalog are accessed exclusively through RealSource.
Purchase order placed via RealSource only. You may not save P-Card information to the account or pay by P-Card, and gift cards cannot be purchased through the punch-out catalog (Amazon does not accept POs for gift cards). For gift cards, see the Buy Gift Cards page.
Yes. Tax exemptions are automatically applied where applicable when you shop through VCU's account in the RealSource punch-out catalog — no additional steps needed.
Amazon orders ship very quickly, so act fast. Cancel the order within the VCU Amazon Business account, then submit a "Cancel PO Request" in RealSource. To edit, cancel the order the same way and submit a new one with the correct items.
If you return or cancel an item, do not complete receiving on that line in RealSource. Contact Amazon for help with the return. Amazon issues a credit that processes in RealSource as a credit memo, and you will need to remove the encumbrance in Banner.
Yes, but requisitions delivered to residential addresses are reviewed by the Purchasing Team before release. Approvers should verify at-home deliveries are necessary and appropriate, and minimize their use. Add new residential addresses by submitting the "Home Ship to Address Request" form at the bottom of the RealSource homepage.
E-books are allowed — purchase them like any other product; you will get an email link to manage and distribute them (log in with your VCU email and your Amazon-in-RealSource password). Other digital/electronic goods are not allowable under the central account.
No. Office supplies should be purchased through The Supply Room Company (a mandatory source). For individual exceptions, contact procurement_services@vcu.edu.
Only Prime-eligible items ship free. Not all sellers or items in the catalog are Prime-eligible — review eligibility before ordering.
Amazon submits invoices once orders ship, which VCU can't change. But you control when payment is released — wait until items are fully delivered before completing receiving in RealSource.
No.
Likely a prorated refund. Join VCU's central account first, then contact Amazon Business Customer Service at 1-888-281-3847. The prorated refund goes back to your original payment method.
Contact
Need help? Submit a ticket through RamsCentral: VCU IT Self Service > Enter IT Portal > Submit a Request > Procurement Services. Open RamsCentral →