How to deal with deposits on orders?

[RCT]

This has happened in the past before I started using Square, but say someone buys a large framed piece and only wants to pay 50% until I deliver with the completed order.

If I'm using Square to track inventory of how many prints I do of that size, I need to enter it.  But, it will come out with 100% of the cost.

The next few shows I am doing are ones I have had those scenarios in the past, so I want to be ready.

I didn't see any options in the register for deposits on orders.

Thanks

[RCT]

anyone??  I know I'm not the only one who takes deposits on items sold and final payment at delivery

[Kpay]

Hi @RCT, you're not alone in taking deposits and then collecting final payment at the time of delivery. Right now, there's not a perfect way to do this.

You may have already considered this, but you could set up multiple price points for each item - one price point would be the full amount of the item, and one would be 50%. That way if you're at a show you can charge customers either the full price or the 50% deposit price, and have your inventory adjust accordingly. For the folks who only paid 50%, you'd have to do a custom sale to charge them for the rest of the piece, or you could send them an invoice through your dashboard. 

I'd love to hear from your fellow sellers as well if there's anyone with experience on this who has a better work-around! 

[RCT]

Thanks @Kpay,  I did think of 50% discount, then at time of final payment, put it through again with another 50% off, but then the inventory will show as 2 sales for that same item.

With way over 100 items then each one being sold 10-12 different sizes, hard to add a 50% for each of those.

you can see these are just some of what I bring to shows, so it could be time consuming.

http://www.pbase.com/reflectionsbyruth/buckscountypa

The other scenario, some might only want to give me $100 and pay $200 later rather than 50%, although the times people have asked for paying only a deposit, most paid 50% or very close to that amount.

I think too much don't I lol 😄

[Kpay]

Haha - never too much thinking! 😀 

With that many items and sizes, I can see how adding additional price points might not work out. Also hard to predict what kind of deposits your customers will want to give you if you offer a range (30%-50% deposit). In order to keep your inventory accurate, you'll likely end up having to do a custom sale for the rest of the payment (rather than ring up an item). 

Also, I love the covered bridges of Bucks County! I had the pleasure of seeing some a few years ago - so beautiful! 

[RCT]

you saw the covered bridges of Bucks County? 🙂  a number of my scenes, including the covered bridges are used in articles for our visitor center and other local businesses

Wonder if I could give a discount by $$$ amount at the time of the order.  That way it tracks the item, then when they pay, just add it at time with the rest of the amount.  I could always write a note in the register area as to what the sale pertains to.

[Kpay]

That's cool that they use your scenes in the visitor center! 

Good thinking about writing a note to help keep things organized for yourself! 👌