Does Square have a preauthorization option instead of Capturing the total right away?

[Lappleton]

We need to be able to preauthorize the card for the amount of the product but still be able to come back in when we are ready to ship and add the freight costs and capture the card for the total amount.

[TheRealChipA]

Hi @Lappleton.  Maybe. There’s a beta test of sometime very close to what you are requesting. I’m not sure it it will work in your use case but I’ve asked one of those admins to reach out to you, if so. Depending on their reply I might have further suggestions. For now, please be patient and wait. I hope to hear back soon. 

[MichelleSQ]

Hi @Lappleton - are these in-person transactions that you are looking to do a pre-authorization for, or online/remote orders? We have an Invoice product that can allow you to take a deposit upfront if that fits your needs. 

If you elaborate a bit more on your business, @TheRealChipA or I may be able to come up with better solutions or look for a beta program that you may be able to participate in.

[Lappleton]

These are in person transactions. I looked into the deposit option and that isn't going to work. I tried calling in to talk to someone and they just said they don't understand my request.

What do you need to know? We take our POS to trade shows to sell to customers that we haven't sold to before. We need to be able to take the order quickly so we want to be able to capture the card data for the product amount but be able to go back into the sale and add shipping days later and actually complete the transaction at that time.

[TheRealChipA]

Thanks for the clarification, @Lappleton.  At this time there is no functionality in Square that will allow you to do this, short of the invoice route that  @MichelleSQ suggested.  I understand why you would rather pre-authorize rather than charge the customer, but at this time, you can’t and I have no information about when even a beta of a pre-authorization might be on the horizon.  

The invoice route would require that you:

• Create an invoice from POS and charge the customer for the product itself.
• Save the customer’s card information as a card on file in their customer record.
• When you know the freight charges, use the card on file to invoice them for freight only and send them a paid invoice.

Hopefully, the fact that Square is testing bar tabs is a good indicator that the next step is being actively designed and/or developed.  But, not being a Square employee I have no way of knowing this.

Regards,