Checkout & Payment Processing

Article Summary: Everything you need to know about checking out appointments on StyleSeat including, benefits, payment options, checkout settings, and step-by-step instructions.


Benefits

  • We use the same processor as other reputable companies like Amazon, Lyft, and Uber called Stripe, which is also an industry leader in security.
  • Automatic checkout provides a quick, safe, and easy way to check out your clients.
  • Flexible checkout options available for Premium Plan (exclusions apply, details below).


Eligibility

  • In order to be eligible to checkout appointments on StyleSeat, you will need to have a valid bank account linked. To view the requirements for processing payments, click HERE.

Payment Options
  • Debit or Credit Card: client's card on file
  • Check: client opts to pay in person via check
  • Gift card: off-platform provided gift card or promotion
  • Cash or OTHER: If your client pays in cash, through Venmo, or any other option that does not charge through the app. 


NOTE: cash, check, gift card, and “other” (checkout outside of StyleSeat payments) are only available for the $35 monthly Premium Plan.
Checkout Settings

Checkout preference options:

Automatic Checkout: card on file is charged 1-hour after the appointment

  • This is the default setting for professionals on the $0 monthly Basic Plan, all appointments must checkout through the app.
  • Automatic checkout is a requirement for appointments booked under one of StyleSeat’s Growth Features 
  • Card on file will be charged 1-hour after the appointment.
  • You may check out the appointment earlier by clicking checkout on the appointment details screen. Doing so will require your client’s signature.
  • If you need to change the payment to a different method, please be sure to do so within 1-hour of the appointment's scheduled end time.


Manual Checkout: appointment will not be charged unless you go into the appointment and click checkout.

  • This option is only available for pros on the $35 monthly/Premium Plan.
  • A signature will be required from your client when you use manual checkout and charge through the app. 
  • Tip
  • Any appointment booked under a Growth Feature will still checkout through the app even if you have manual checkout set up in your settings.
  • It is important that you go to the appointment details and click checkout if you want to charge the card that is on file. 
  • The client is able to remove their card after the appointment has ended.
  • If you do not click checkout the client will not be charged. You may decide to select another checkout method by clicking edit next to payment method.


Touchless Checkout: this is a setting that your client can choose when they book an appointment

  • Client’s can set up touchless payments for their appointment if they prefer to pay through the app. By selecting this option on their end they will update the checkout settings for that specific appointment to automatic checkout. Clients can control this option from their account by going to My Appointments and clicking on Manage Payments.


How to select your preferred checkout type in your account settings
  1. Click Payments & No-Show Protection.
  2. Click Checkout Settings.
  3. From here you can select Automatic or Manual as your checkout default for all appointments.
  4. Click Save
Adjusting the appointment: service, price, and client payment information

Service 

  1. From the appointment details screen, click Edit next to services.
  2. Click the plus sign next to add a service to add a service to an appointment.
  3. Click the trash icon next to a service to remove it from an appointment.
  4. Click Save.


Price

  1. From the appointment details screen, click Edit next to services.
  2. Change the price under total service cost.
  3. Click Save.


Client Payment Information

  1. From the appointment details screen, click edit next to payment.
  2. Click update next to the card number.
  3. From here you can enter a new card number.
  4. Click Save.


NOTEProfessional’s on the Basic Plan do not have the option to edit service cost within an appointment. You may consider the following options as a workaround.


  • Create a discounted service:
    • Add an identical service to your existing one and alter the price to match the discount.
    • Then you can add the discounted service to the appointment and delete the full price service.
  • Increase service cost:
    • We recommend including “Add On” services into your service menu.
    • For example, you can add services to your menu for “$10 Add On”, “$20 Add On”, etc.
  • You can choose to toggle off display service on my profile if you don’t want these options to show on your page.
Next steps after you checkout an appointment

Keep track of your transactions through the Business Growth Tab.

  • You can view an overview of your transactions, including transactions processed within a selected date range. Click here for more info on the reporting feature.

Getting paid when you process a payment through StyleSeat 

  • When an appointment is checked out on StyleSeat, you can expect a payout to your bank account according to the payout schedule. Click here for detailed information about how to get paid on StyleSeat.
Frequently Asked Questions | FAQ

Why can’t I check out my client with “cash”?

  • Professional’s on the $0 monthly/Basic Plan will not have cash checkout as an option. 
  • The appointment is related to one of StyleSeat’s Growth Features (Smart Pricing, New Client Connection, or the appointment was filled as a last minute opening via Early Access)
  • Your client selected Touchless Checkout. This cannot be changed from the professional side, if you want to change the checkout type your client will have to manage the appointment from their account.


What if my client insists on paying cash and I am on the Basic Plan?

If your clients are concerned about sharing personal financial information, please let them know that we use the same processor as other reputable companies like Amazon, Lyft, and Uber called Stripe, which is also an industry leader in security. We can also suggest canceling their appointment before they’re automatically checked out.


Why can’t I edit the service cost before checkout?

Professionals on the Basic Plan will not have the option to edit the service cost on an existing appointment. (Include troubleshooting info). 


Can I check out the appointment before it starts?

You may check out the appointment earlier by clicking checkout on the appointment details screen. Doing so will require your client’s signature.


Is it possible to get payment from my client before the appointment? Does StyleSeat have a deposits feature?

Right now we aren't set up to offer service deposits. However, there are a few options to require payment before the appointment. 

  • You can create a service called "Deposit" that a client can book for the next available time-slot. However, they will need to create another appointment to receive their services and you will need to make sure you deduct the deposit amount from the total service amount
  • You can easily collect prepayments from clients by sending a Payment Request in advance. When you tap Payment Request in the appointment details, clients will get a text message with a link that allows them to pay in advance from their phone. Clients also have the option to prepay for an appointment under their My Appointments tab in their personal account. There is a Prepay button next to the appointment details which directs them to pay in advance for your services. 


My client paid in cash but they were charged, what should I do?

Issuing a refund is something you have the power to do. Please click here for a guide on how to issue refunds. If you are unable to issue a refund, please contact StyleSeat Customer Service.


Can I split the payment on two different cards? 

The ability to split payments using StyleSeat checkout is not available at this time. Only cash, check, gift certificate, or "other credit" payments may be split. These payment options exist so that you can keep your revenue reports up to date when using the checkout feature. However, using the cash, check, gift certificate, or "other credit" option does not actually charge a credit card via StyleSeat.


What if my client’s payment declined? 


Client is still present: You can change the clients card to a different card

  1. From the appointment details screen, click edit next to payment.
  2. Click update next to the card number.
  3. From here you can enter a new card number.
  4. Click Save.


Client left appointment: When a client's card declines, we attempt the payment automatically several times. If the payment continues to decline, we alert the client to add a working card to their account or add funds to the card on file. Once updated, we can complete the charge and pay you for the appointment. This is all dependent on the client taking action.


If we're unable to successfully complete this charge, our best suggestion would be to contact your client to collect payment from them directly or, if you are unable to collect payment from them you can block them from booking again.


Does StyleSeat provide compensation for declined charges?

  • StyleSeat does not compensate for any loss incurred due to card declines. While we cannot guarantee that a declined payment will not affect your business, we have set up the following measure to try to minimize the risk. 
  • Some clients will be fully authorized for the total amount of the service the day prior to their appointment. If there are insufficient funds in the account that the client has used to book the appointment, their appointment will display in red on your calendar. This is an indication that the current payment on file does not have sufficient funds to cover the appointment.
  • On the day of the appointment, all client-booked appointments will have a $1 temporary authorization charge to verify the payment on file.

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Modified on Wed, 09 Aug 2023 at 10:08 AM