This article covers running the AutoPay batch — the process of charging customers' saved payment methods for qualifying open invoices. AutoPay is distinct from Auto-Settle, which allocates existing payments against invoices without charging a payment method. For the full monthly billing workflow, see CRM - Billing Process. To set up Auto-Settle, see CRM - Auto-Settle Payments.
After invoices are generated, and unsettled payments/ credits are applied we can run the autopay batch. To review the invoicing process please visit: Billing Process. In order to run autopay it must first be setup for each customer. If this is your second or more time running autopay it should already be setup. Please visit this link if you need to setup autopay: Saving Credit Cards & ACH Payment Methods
NOTE: The Auto Pay toggle means the customer invoice will be PAID once the Auto Pay has been run manually by the marina. This charges the default payment type (customer card or ACH) that is on file. Automatic payments do not process without a scheduled process (this can be setup by Sharper but is not default)
Running Autopay
While in the CRM module, click the Payments button on the menu ribbon at the top.
At the top right-hand corner, click the Auto Pay button.
Field | Functionality |
Date Selection | Due date is the due date of the invoices. Invoice date is invoice date of the invoices. This selection works hand in hand with the Auto Pay Through field. |
Auto Pay Through | If Due Date was selected the date entered here will run autopayments for any invoices with this due date or before. If Invoice Date was selected the date entered here will run autopayments for any invoices with this invoice date or before. |
Customer | Can specify customer or leave blank to run autopayments for all customers that have a default payment method. |
Itemized Payments Toggle | If there are multiple invoices that are set to autopay you can charge the card per invoice if this toggle is on. |
Fill this out to your liking and click Pay in the bottom right.
Dealing with Declined Payments
Naturally, payments will decline for a number of reasons after running autopay. To quickly find you declined autopayments there are a couple ways to do so.
The cleanest way is to run the Declined Payments report found in Reports-> CRM. If there is not one there, try making it or put in a ticket.
Another way is to remain inside CRM-> Payments and filter to unsettled payments by clicking the Filter button directly to the right of the search field.
Once you find the declined payments Sharper will give various reasons as to why the card was declined, but it usually just comes down to 2 solutions.
The payment method has expired or needs to be updated.
The customer needs to be contacted.