Overview
ArcSite's Payments Platform Fee feature allows companies to charge homeowners for processing credit or debit card transactions, which can help increase profitability and offer more competitive pricing. This feature automatically adds a line item for the platform fee on the checkout page, eliminating the need for manual calculations.
While this feature is designed as a platform fee, some local jurisdictions and states in the US have specific regulations. Always refer to your local and state laws to understand any potential restrictions on passing processing fees to your customers. The surcharge percentage cannot be more than the actual processing fee paid by you, which is 3.3% for ArcSite users.
Availability
Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows
Subscription Requirement: Available on all subscription plans that use ArcSite Payments.
Feature Guide
What It Does
The Payments Platform Fee feature automatically calculates and adds a "Platform Fee" line item to invoices when a client chooses to pay with a credit or debit card. The fee is a percentage of the transaction amount, which for ArcSite is 3.3%. The platform fee is a non-refundable charge. This fee does not change the original proposal or invoice amount; it is added on top of the total amount due.
When a client pays an invoice with a credit card, the amount they are charged includes both the invoice amount and the platform fee. For example, a payment of $3,090 includes a $3,000 applied amount and a $90 platform fee. This fee is also visible in payment records.
Where to Find It
This feature is enabled or disabled in the Settings menu under Payments.
You can check the current platform fee rate by clicking the "Click here to view the current fee rate" link on the ArcSite Payments screen.
How to Use It
The platform fee is automatically applied when you have it enabled in your settings. When a client opens a proposal or invoice and selects to "Make a Payment" with a credit card, they will see the platform fee as a separate line item.
Client-Side Experience:
A client opens the invoice on their device and selects Make a Payment.
They choose Credit Card as the payment method
The payment modal will display the total amount due, including the original invoice amount and the calculated Platform Fee
The client enters their card details
After entering the information, the client clicks Confirm and Pay to authorize the one-time debit
FAQs & Troubleshooting
Why is there an "Error: unable to retrieve the rate"? This message appears if the app is unable to retrieve the platform fee rate at that moment. Please try again or choose a different payment method. If the issue persists, contact support.
Why did the payment fail because the "Fee Rate Updated"? This means the platform fee rate has changed since the page was loaded. To resolve this, refresh the page to get the latest rate and try the payment again.
How does the platform fee affect me as a business owner? By passing the fee to your client, you avoid absorbing the credit card processing fee, which can help increase your profit margins. This also allows you to offer more competitive pricing for cash or ACH payments.