Spectora is Dropping Square

Yes, they now list the ways a client can pay when they view their invoice.

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(OP here.) Based upon the above discussion (thanks to all), I think that I am going change over to using Spectora’s payment processing (based upon Stripe) because it is fully-integrated and appears to have the same negotiated rate through Square (2.75%+fee).

However, I will also explore getting a PayPal business account, so that I can offer more payment types and options (perhaps including the Pay Later installment option). Hopefully, I can add an easy link within the Spectora messaging system so that clients can “Click here to request payment via PayPal.” Based upon the client’s email or phone, I would then manually need to send a payment request (invoice) from my PayPal account in the specific amount. Once the payment is received through PayPal, I would then need to manually update the inspection in Spectora to indicated the fee was paid.

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I’ve been using PayPal since day 1.

I’ve had I think 2 problems in the 20+ years I’ve been doing home inspections and they resolved both of them to my satisfaction.

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Just to throw this out there. We have a paypal payment link on our website. I toss the client the link vs sending an invoice. One may be easier than the other for you.

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Thanks for that suggestion. Yes, we could also add a PayPal link on our website. But, they would need to enter the correct amount, I am presuming.

I do Both - But they both get the same result, so whatever works best for you. :+1:

I prefer to send an invoice because I can break down any add on services they may request.

On my site you can scroll down to the bottom of my homepage for the link.

Yes, but it has never been a problem after all these years.

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They also have a quick link called PayPal Me.
You will have a custom Url and can modify it on the fly to reflect the $$$$ of the payment to be made.

PayPal.Me

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The recent update with more payment options is new. But clients haven’t been required to have their own PayPal account for a long long time. All they have to do is enter their debit / credit card number

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I use Spectora and Square and initially I tried using the Spectora “integration” with my QuickBooks and it ended up duplicating invoices in my accounting software. I had to un-integrate and just go back to using it with no issues. I may try out the Paypal option. Not real keen on “integrating” their payment platform based upon previous experience.

I use STRIPE with Spectora
It works great
And gives a few payment options to the client
You can pass the credit card fees to the client or they can ach the payment for $3.99 your cost.

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I think you made an oops Mohammed. The fee that is passed onto the client is 3.99 percent. So, if you charge $400 for an inspection, that is $15.96 being charged to the client.

No mistake $3.99 I see it come right out of my fee

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Hey guys! Thanks for tapping me to weigh in here. I know the idea of less choices can be a difficult pill to swallow, but we want to invest in giving you one excellent product instead of managing multiple integrations.

With this decision, we’re aiming to provide a top-tier payment processing experience for you and your clients. Focusing solely on Stripe (Spectora Payments) enables us to offer a fully integrated processor, with in-house support, and better features overall.

In addition to instant account setup, payment via the mobile app, next day payouts, and managing everything within your Spectora account, here are some exciting things we have on the horizon:

  • More payment options (ex: Apple Pay, Google Pay)
  • Pay over time via buy now, pay later providers such as Affirm
  • Faster ACH settlement! 3- 5 business days rather than 7 - 10 business days.

Here’s the video my brother and I made talking about the reasons for the change (and why that’s not selling out to Porch): A quick note on some payment processing changes - YouTube

As always, reach out to the chat bubble if you want to talk about this some more!

Mohammed is referring to the ACH charge if a client chooses that form of payment. One of the stipulations if you are going to charge a credit card fee (pass the fee on to the client) is that you have to offer a fee-free alternative to the client. ACH is that alternative. When they choose ACH, you have to pay a small fee.

WHOSE stipulation is this??
Local/State/Fed jurisdiction?
Spectora?
Stripe?
???

That I am unsure of. But it was communicated to us I believe when Spectora added the option for us to pass on the CC fee to clients. Maybe @kwagstaff will chime back in and clarify.

If you choose to pass on credit card fees to your client, they can either pay the fee or choose to pay by ACH for free. If your clients choose ACH, there’s a flat $3.99 processing fee to you.

Several states require that you offer a free option, so that’s where ACH comes in. It’s also a nice alternative to paying the credit card fee for both you and your client.

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I am curious if you discount your inspection fee for cash payments (vs adding cc fees) if all is good.

So are you saying you charge BOTH the inspector and their client a fee for CC use… on the SAME transaction??