Update Recurring Invoice Payment
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K
Kimberly Bernstein
When a client updates their CC on file ability to delete the other card used and change to the new default card on file.
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Amanda Aparicio
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Amanda Aparicio
Merged in a post:
Recurring Invoice and Updated Payment Method
J
Jennifer Forst
I use the client proposal and billing feature. I create recurring invoices with clients providing their payment method for auto-bill on the first of each month. Currently when a client updates their payment method and changes the default to be the new payment, it doesn't update in the recurring invoices. The system continues to charge their original payment, even if it is a closed account. This causes issues in many different ways. First, if the client changed the bank account to a new bank account and the system continues to charge the original account, if it is still an open account it could result in the customer's bank account being overdrawn leading to bank fees the customer ends up responsible for. If an ACH payment is being submitted to an old account and is returned, I am charged a fee for the ACH being returned. I often don't even know the customer has updated their payment method. Currently the only way for me to fix this issue so the correct default payment method is being charged (after I am charged fees for returned payments) is to delete the existing recurring invoice and create a new recurring invoice with the new default payment selected.
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Merged in a post:
Allow Client To Change Payment Method on Recurring Invoice
T
Tiffany Bastian
Our clients frequently update their default payment method expecting it to apply to their next recurring invoice. However, the system does not behave this way.
Currently, even after a client updates their default payment information, we must manually edit the recurring invoice (a newer feature) and explicitly select the newly added payment method. This behavior is unintuitive and leads clients to believe their next invoice will be charged to the updated method when it is not.
As a result, invoices are processed using outdated payment methods, causing overdrafts, failed payments, and unnecessary frustration for clients. From their perspective, they did everything right, yet the system behaves differently than expected.
Suggested improvement:
When a client updates their default payment method, the system should automatically apply that method to upcoming recurring invoices (or clearly prompt the user to confirm whether they want the new method applied). This would better match user expectations, reduce payment failures, and improve overall client satisfaction.
Bonus if it updates us that the client has updated their default payment information.
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Jennifer Forst
I found the update to be able to edit the recurring invoices, so this is helpful, but only if I actually know the client has updated their payment method. That is not normally the case.
Clients change their payment method all the time without me knowing. I usually find out it has been changed either because their credit card payment declined, their ACH was returned unpaid (when I get charged a fee), or when I get an email from an upset customer that we charged the wrong payment method after they updated it.
Just having the ability for me to update on recurring invoices doesn't alleviate the problem of it charging an old payment method. Clients rightfully assume that if they update their payment method and change it to the default method in their profile that all future billings will be charged to the new default payment. This is how every site I do recurring payments with works. I just go in and update my method, and all future billings charge to that method.
I definitely think the system should automatically update all future billings (recurring or otherwise) to charge the newly selected default instead of what was originally chosen.
Amanda Aparicio
Jennifer Forst, in case it's helpful, we did just release a feature where you can edit recurring invoices. This should allow you to change the payment method to something else on recurring invoices.
For the other piece you were describing, I wonder if archiving payment methods would help? That way, on your end, you could archive a payment method that shouldn't be used to pay invoices anymore (clients can always delete payment methods on their end, if they'd like, but this would give you the option to manage it on your end).
Wondering if that would alleviate the pain point? Or is it that you need the ability to always charge the default method on file? (meaning that if you or the client changes the default payment method, we would charge the newly selected default instead of what was initially chosen?). Curious what your thoughts are!
Amanda Aparicio
Kimberly Bernstein: Thank you for the feedback! In the meantime as a workaround, do note that
clients
can login to their portal and delete any credit cards. Definitely hear you on allowing Team Members to do the same, but sharing this for now in case it's helpful!