Check-out Options for In Person Events

In this article, you’ll learn about the different ways to request and process payments for purchases and donations made at a Gala (in-person) event.

It outlines the available checkout options, including (in-person) staffed checkout stations, guest (smartphone) Self Check-Out via email Invitation or QR code (Acorn, Plus, and Professional), and processing stored credit cards either individually or in bulk (Acorn, Plus, and Professional).

The article also explains how these checkout options can be combined to create a smooth experience for guests while ensuring all unpaid orders are complete (paid).

There are several options for requesting and processing payments for purchases/donations made at an "in person" event:

  1. In person check-out stations: Volunteers/Staff record purchases by bidder number to place items in "carts". Sales/Donations can also be recorded in bulk. At the end of the event, guests are directed to check-out stations where volunteers/staff review their carts, accept/process payment and issue receipts. You also have the option to accept cash payments for incidentals (such as drinks, raffle tickets etc.). Note: these options require all guests to have a ticket/bidder number.
  2. Guests can scan the QR code on their bidder number to access their cart to pay online.
  3. Send invitations to self check-out: Email invitations to all guests with unpaid purchases during or after event. Link provides access to review their cart, enter credit card info (or process stored card) with receipt emailed as payment is completed.
  4. Bulk process stored credit cards  on all (or selected) unpaid orders during or after event. Receipts are emailed as payments are processed. Note: Bulk Processing requires an Acorn, Plus, or Professional subscription.
  5. Review unpaid orders and process stored credit cards individually  from the Orders page.

Note: It is common to use more than one approach - eg send Invitations to Self Check-Out to everyone, but offer check-out stations for those needing assistance or wanting to pay by cash/check then processing stored cards for anyone that did not check-out during the event.