Once you connect Stripe or PayPal as a payment method, every invoice Cobot sends out, whether it goes to a member or a visitor, includes a Pay Now link.
This is what we mean by a semi-automated payment. It gives anyone with an invoice a way to pay it directly, on top of whatever automatic charging is already happening in the background.
There's nothing extra to turn on. Connect Stripe or PayPal as a payment method, and Pay Now links start appearing on invoices right away, for members and visitors alike.
How Members Pay Using the Link
The Pay Now link works differently depending on the payment method already attached to the member's account.
If a member has an automated payment method on file, their invoice charges automatically on their billing cycle no matter what. The Pay Now link just gives them the option to pay sooner, if they'd rather settle up before their renewal date arrives. Check out this guide for more info on automated member invoicing.
If a member has a manual payment method, or nothing on file at all, nothing charges automatically. In this case, the Pay Now link is how the payment actually happens. If they don't use it, you'll need to collect and record the payment yourself. Check out this guide for more info on manual payment methods.
How Visitors Pay an Invoice
Visitors checking out through a Drop-in Pass or External Booking are charged right away when automated payment methods, like Stripe, are activated. There's no Pay Now link involved here since the charge already happened.
The Pay Now link comes into play in two situations:
You allow manual payment methods on Drop-in Passes or External Bookings, and the visitor chooses one, like cash or bank transfer, at checkout. Their invoice includes a Pay Now link so they can pay online instead of waiting to settle up in person or by bank transfer.
You create a free-form invoice for a visitor or non-member and email it to them. Since there's no checkout flow involved at all, the Pay Now link is how they pay. Click here to learn more on how to create free-form invoice.
What the Payer Sees
When someone clicks Pay Now, they choose between PayPal and a credit card through Stripe, if you have both connected.
The invoice updates to paid in Cobot automatically once it's done. You can see an overview of all invoices under Manage » Invoices.
Only Stripe is supported for credit card payments here. If you're using another gateway alongside Stripe or PayPal, it won't show up as a Pay Now option.
Refunding Invoices
Paying through a Pay Now link doesn't change how refunds work. Read more on refunding members and visitors in this guide.