Overview: Self Check-Out
The Self Check-Out feature offers guests a fast and convenient way to review their purchases and pay by credit card using a secure link sent via email invitation. This feature can be used for both online and gala (in-person) check-out, giving guests flexibility in how and when they complete payment.
Only guests with unpaid orders will receive a Self Check-Out invitation, and organizers can choose which guests to send or resend invitations to.
Using Self Check-Out is optional, it does not replace regular check-out, which remains available for guests who prefer to pay by cash/check, need assistance, or don’t have access to email or smartphones.
The invitation to Self Check-Out can be used as is with the default text and link, but it is easy to customize the message to suit your needs. For example, it's a good idea to include instructions for how guests will pick up any physical items that they have purchased/won.
Note: Post-event, you can send Self Check-out emails from the Orders page to anyone who has an open (unpaid) order without a vaulted credit card.
PRO TIP: You can now collect payment for open (unpaid) orders by sending supporters an invoice directly from the Orders page. The invoice will include a private payment link, allowing supporters to review their order and enter their payment information. For more details, check out: Sending Invoice to Collect Payment.
How It Works
The Self Check-out option sends an email invitation to your supporters with a link they can use to easily access their account, review their cart, and submit a credit card payment securely.
Receiving the email doesn’t require guests to use it, nor does it affect their ability to check out in person during your gala event.
This video provides a quick overview of how the self check-in and self check-out features work and this article provides a more detailed preview of the self-checkout .
Using Self Check-Out at Gala Events
After bidding closes and auction items are added to guests’ carts, you can send Self Check-Out invitations directly from the Auction Night screen. Guests can then complete payment online through their private email link.
We recommend making an announcement during your event, for example:
"Thank you so much for joining us tonight! You’ll soon receive an email with a link to check out right from your smartphone. Simply review your purchases and pay by credit card. Regular check-out stations will also open in a few minutes for anyone who prefers to pay in person.Those of you who check-out on your smartphones can proceed directly to the Will Call line if you have items or gift certificates to pick up."
You may need to adjust your Will Call system. You can either set up a laptop/printer at the will call station to print a duplicate receipt to pick items from, or your pickers can pick the items while viewing the guest's purchases in the Will Call Report on a tablet.
Note: You will still need to offer regular check-out station(s) for guests who:
- Don't have email access
- Prefer to check-out in person
- Want to pay by cash or check
- Didn't bring (don't have) a smartphone
- Have questions/issues with the items in their cart
- Don't want to enter their credit card info on their phone
Using Self Check-Out for Online Auctions
For online auctions, send Self Check-Out invitations once bidding closes and items are awarded. Invitations can be sent from the Auction Night screen to anyone with open (unpaid) orders. The recipient can pay online through the private link in their email invitation.