Having trouble changing price on item, again!

[hiram]

Although I've been using Square for a few years, I always seem to run into a new issue when I want to add or modify an item. Current issue:

I've added an item as follows: Dashboard > Add an Item. I entered Name, no category, Description and Price. I save the item and created a payment link. That seems to work. Now, I want to change the Price on this item.

On Dashboard > Payments > Online Checkout, it shows my two items. The one I've had for years, "Annual Dues" is listed as 'Purpose' = "Collect payment". The new one, "Petition Fee" is listed as "Sell Item". Why are they different? They should probably both be the same, presumably "Sell Item" as that is the one that works for "Annual Dues". I don't recall having a choice on setting this. Do I need to change the "Purpose" of the new "Petition Fee" item? If so, how?

I now want to change the amount on the "Petition Fee" item. I used to be able to change amounts from this "Online Checkout" screen by clicking on the item, then selecting 'Edit' in the right-sidebar, then changing the amount. For the new "Petition Fee", clicking 'edit' brings up the Price grayed out. I can't change it. Why?

[hiram]

I did find a way to do this Dashboard > Items & Orders > (Click on Item). Scroll to price, change, <ENTER>, Save. This worked for the "Petition Fee" item. My original "Annual Dues" does not show up in this list.

Why do I have to update the price of "Annual Dues" in Dashboard > Payments > Online Checkout, but cannot update "Petition Fee" there; and why do I have to update "Petition Fee" in Dashboard > Items & Orders > Items, but "Annual Dues" does not show up there?

Square's mechanisms for updating the amount of an items are a labyrinth of confusion!! This should be a simple procedure. I shouldn't have to post to the community or get Support each time I want to change an item's price. There should be one place to do that, and it should be obvious from the Dashboard!!!!

[JJ_]

Thank you for your feedback @hiram.

After looking into this the reason behind this behavior is that "Annual Fees" is set up as Collect a Payment instead of Sell Item. This type of Checkout Link is not considered an Item but a Payment Capture link, hence why it is not available in the Item Library.

[hiram]

What is the functional difference between "Collect a Payment" and "Sell Item"? I have created URL links for both types of items. No one has used the items apparently classified as "Sell Item" yet? Will the link work? It appears find when I go to it. Perhaps the difference is the "Sell Item" has entries for sales tax and shipping?

How to I change my "Sell Items" to "Collect a Payment"?

I've have the "Annual Dues" item out there for a few years and have no remembrance as to how I created it. To create these newest items I did Dashboard > Items & Orders > Items > Quick Create. After creating I scrolled down to create a payment link. That was it. It just asked for Item Name and price. It didn't ask anything about "Collect a Payment" versus "Sell Item".

[Arie]

Hey @hiram,

When you select "Sell an Item", you can track stock for these items and also charge shipping. It sounds like "Collect a Payment" is the better option for your business purposes. You can create a new payment link via Payments > Online Checkout > Create a Link. From here, you can select which option suits your business, and the reason for collecting payments - whether it's a donation, item, or selling tickets for a class. 

Please let us know how you go!

[hiram]

Is there a way to change my existing "Sell an Item" items to "Collect Payment"?

[Arie · Accepted solution]

You'll have to create a new payment link to achieve this, @hiram. It only takes a few minutes (or less!) to create one. 

[hiram]

OK. I've deleted the "Sell an Item" items and created new "Collect a Payment" items.

Thanks for your help.