How do you charge a card on file?

[BRovner313]

After I have a client fill out a card authorization form, add the card info to their info on the square directory, how do I then use that stored card to charge for services?  

[Valentina]

I'm jumping in for @JustinC here, @CoKiv!

Please try heading logging into your Invoices app again, and opening up the recurring series you'd like to edit. The Edit button should be in the top right-hand corner of your screen. Please let me know if you're not seeing it! I've included a screenshot here for reference:

[CoKiv]

Does square not have a customer service phone number so someone can walk me through it? I ended up plugging in the customers card for her, and opening up her invoice and choosing to pay with card on file. I have absolutely no idea whether or not the card will charge automatically next month now and it’s really embarrassing to not have answers for customers. This is very frustrating. 

[Joe]

Hi there, @CoKiv! So sorry for the frustration, here. We can definitely take a deep dive with you and insure that your customer will continued to be charged recurringly.

The number to call is 1 (855) 700-6000 - but you'll also need your customer code. The steps to look up your code are here.

We will keep an eye out for your contact! 

[CoKiv]

Okay so I called and spoke to customer service. He confirmed that the customer I was worried about was indeed on autopay. He looked at the recurring invoice. So invoices went out today and hers is unpaid. This is getting terribly frustrating. What do i need to do to set her up for auto pay?

[isabelle]

Hi @CoKiv-

Thanks for posting in the Seller Community.

FIrst, you will need to collect the card information, and add it to her Customer Directory profile. Here are the instructions on how to do so:

1. Open the Square app or Square Dashboard.
2. Tap Customer > select an existing customer from the list or tap Create New Customer.
3. Tap Edit Personal Information > scroll to the bottom and tap Add Card. 
4. Dip or swipe the card, or manually key in the card information.

Once you've completed this step, please ensure that your recurring invoice has the appropriate charge card on file payment method:

1. Head to the Invoices section of your online Square Dashboard > Create or Select an existing Invoice.
2. Select a customer with a saved card on file.
3. Under Invoice Method, select the card on file you’d like to charge.
4. Select a Frequency and when you’d like to charge the card.
5. Add Items to your invoice, then Charge immediately or Schedule for a future date.

I hope this helps. If you have any additional questions about this, please take a look here. 

[CoKiv]

Okay I went to the invoice, it is for a customer that has card saved on file. There is not a section that says “Invoice method” as your instructions state. It allows me to add a payment and charge her card, but I don’t want to have to do that every month. 

[isabelle]

Hey @CoKiv-

When setting up the recurring invoice originally, it should look like this:

That will ensure that the customer will be charged monthly, via card on file. If they've already been charged for this month, I would create a new recurring invoice, ensure the method is correct, and set the start date to a month from now (instead of starts today) so they aren't charged twice. Is that helpful?

Let me know! ✨

[CoKiv]

I went to set up a new recurring series and I do not have the option for invoice method. It’s simply not there on my app. 

[isabelle]

Okay. Hmm. Can you try doing this from the Square Online Dashboard? I'd like to see if it works there @CoKiv. 

[madhikari]

I am considering Square for a temple. We have devotees who have authorized us to charge their CC a fixed amount per month (say $50/mo.). Can I do that w/o sending them an invoice?  

[isabelle]

Yes, @madhikari!

If you attach a card on file via an invoice, it would charge them every month, and the invoice would be the receipt. Would that work for you?

Additionally, you could just charge their card on file via Virtual Terminal on a monthly basis. They wouldn't receive any form of invoice in this case, just a receipt. Let me know if you have any questions about this! 💡

[Allan7]

I have a donor that increased their amount from 125 to 175. How do I make that change?  

[Joe]

Hi Allan7 👋 You will either need to refund the original amount and then re-take payment with the increased amount. Or you can process a separate transaction with the difference between the desired amount and what has already been processed.