Invoicing Sanity Check
I don't think the Fluent ecosystem can yet handle the kind of invoicing we need - but please sanity check this use case on the chance I've missed the functionality:
We need to create a one item invoice (taxes not needed) that can be emailed to customers, and they can pay with a link or invoice number. All of which ties back into a central system.
The real trick in this case is that the payment is not due/will not be paid when the invoice is created. It gets paid separately after booking (whether booking is created by FluentForms or FluentBooking).
I understand this is not the process that gets taught for modern online payments. But as we enjoy 0% receivables, there's no need to force customers into another process. (In fact, changing the current billing process would tank our conversion rates. 😫)
Bonus points granted if the invoice can be created from within FluentBooking or if a FluentCart invoice can be tied to a FluentBooking event.
Double bonus points if it all ties back to FluentCRM.
All suggestions welcome. But I don't think I get here fully within the Fluent family (at least not just yet).
Hey Charlotte!
I think that there core part of this, is basically a description of creating a Manual Order:
https://docs.fluentcart.com/guide/store-management/orders-management/creating-new-orders
But, the truth is, I’m not sure if you can actually tie this manual orders to a later booking payment 😅: sounds “easier” to just automate something like…
Fluent booking reservation > create manual order in FluentCart (set: send invoice for payment).
And then I think you will achieve something pretty alike 😅
About not charging taxes, no worries. Last time I checked manual orders the taxes were not being applied (an issue tbh haha). I really hope that is fixed now, so as it can be selected. Probably, using the endpoints you will have no problem.
PS.: I’ll also suggest just Manual Order + thank you page to the booking reservation, for something more straightforward. Or just use the FluentCart + Booking integration that redirects to a FluentCart checkout after reservation.
Jorge de los Reyes Ohhhh, I see. Maybe, maybe, maybe. I'll test this tomorrow. And see how much of the 'manual' order + generating a custom payment link to send to customer can be automated. 🤞🏼 This is a bit of hope after a disappointing afternoon of testing - thanks!!
Jorge de los Reyes I haven't gotten to the 'automated' part of this workflow just yet - I'm picking through the actual manual part and this has real promise. Thanks!
I can't find anything in the settings or documentation for a custom checkout field, though. Which - since I can't tie this order into Booking - I need to record the booking date being paid for cross-reference/record keeping.
Do you (or anyone else here) happen to know if there are custom checkout field options that I haven't found?
Charlotte custom field will be handy, but I’ll suggest adding a note:
https://dev.fluentcart.com/restapi/dashboard.html#attach-note-to-order
Jorge de los Reyes API for a note sounds easier than the builder path I was tracking down via the community comments - thanks again!
Tell me how I can buy you a beverage (aka send you money) from the US and I'll send you something. Are you hooked into any of the US systems? Alternatively, I'll return the favors when you need it. Either way, my DM's are open here.
Charlotte That’s very kind of you Charlotte, but there’s really no need to send anything 😄 If we ever meet in person, I’ll hold you to that beverage!
I’m glad the manual order and notes API gave you a workable path. Let me know how the testing goes, and feel free to DM me if you hit a specific snag 😄