Introduction
When using Mobile Pay for booking appointments on theCut, preauthorizations play a key role in ensuring a smooth transaction process. Additionally, understanding the various appointment statuses is essential for both barbers and clients. This article aims to provide clarity on Mobile Pay preauthorizations and appointment statuses to facilitate a seamless booking experience.
Key Elements
1. Preauthorizations
Definition: A preauthorization is a temporary hold on the appointment cost. It's not an actual charge but a check to ensure sufficient funds.
Release: Preauthorizations are automatically canceled if the barber cancels or after about 7 days. No money is refunded as nothing was actually taken from the account. The release is reflected in the bank account total.
Voiding: Preauthorizations are voided if the barber cancels the appointment or after about 7 days from the booking time.
Unconfirmed Appointments: If you cancel an unconfirmed appointment, the preauthorization (temporary hold on the appointment cost) is voided, and the funds are released. Preauthorizations are temporary holds only and are not charged unless the appointment is processed or confirmed.
2. Appointment Status
Requested: Preauthorization is set when an appointment is requested and can be voided by canceling the request.
Confirmed: Preauthorization may be active, but waiting for input on the barber's end. If no input is received within a specified timeframe, the preauthorization will expire, and funds will be released.
Completed: After processing the appointment, the barber marks it as "Completed" on the Appointment Details page. If the appointment is canceled, funds are voided immediately.
Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If the barber has a cancellation policy enabled, preauthorization may not be voided immediately upon cancellation. No-Show appointments may be subject to a fee.
Unconfirmed Appointments: No cancellation fees apply for unconfirmed appointments. If an appointment is canceled by the client before being confirmed by the barber, no fees are charged.
Auto Confirm Disabled: If the barber's Auto Confirm setting is disabled, any unconfirmed appointments are treated as unfinalized, and cancellation fees will not apply when canceled by the client.
3. Fee Policy
Barber Decision: The app gives barbers a few days to decide whether to charge a cancellation/No-Show fee. Fees are not processed automatically.
Voiding Preauthorization: If the barber does not charge the fee within a few days, the preauthorization will be voided, and funds will be released. The Appointment's Detail page reflects the status as "Authorized" if no fee has been charged.
Manual Charge Processing: Barbers must manually charge clients for no-shows or cancellations. The system does not automatically apply these fees. If no action is taken within 7 days, the preauthorization is voided, and funds are released back to the client.
Barber-Initiated Cancellations: When a barber cancels an appointment, the preauthorization is immediately voided to ensure the client is not charged unfairly.
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In the image, the appointment has not been completed by the barber and the still in Confirmed status. A preauthorization was issued when it was first booked but it has not been processed fully. If the appointment remains confirmed, the preauthorization will expire and the funds are released back to the client.