Free Bookings and Offline Reconciliation
DayTidy Free supports zero-payable reservations and offline payment workflows. On-Site Payment and Wire Transfer record the booking and payment instructions; they do not collect money automatically.
Choose the workflow
Section titled “Choose the workflow”| Approach | Appropriate use | Staff responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Nothing is payable | Verify the reservation and no-payment state |
| On-Site Payment | Customer pays at the venue or appointment | Collect payment and reconcile the saved record |
| Wire Transfer | Customer sends a bank transfer separately | Provide instructions, verify receipt, then reconcile |
Open DayTidy → Settings → Payment, use Independent Gateways, and review the enabled gateway configuration. Add clear customer-facing instructions and completion content for the offline method, then save. Review automatic confirmation deliberately: accepting the reservation and recording receipt of money are separate decisions.
Example: pay at reception
Section titled “Example: pay at reception”Configure a consultation with a positive price and On-Site Payment. Explain when and where the customer pays. Complete a controlled booking, then check the admin record: its payment should reflect the offline workflow rather than an invented online charge. When staff actually verify collection, reconcile Payment Status through the booking record and check the saved result.
Do not mark a reservation Paid simply because its booking status is Confirmed. A business can intentionally hold a confirmed reservation while payment remains unpaid. The status reference explains this combination and its capacity implications.
Wire-transfer checks
Section titled “Wire-transfer checks”Provide a useful booking reference in the instructions so staff can match received funds with the reservation. Verify the actual transfer outside DayTidy before recording receipt. A customer reporting that a transfer was initiated is different from staff confirming that it was received.
If the customer cancels after collection, follow the business’s refund decision and record any money returned separately. Changing a booking status does not make a bank transfer. See manual and online refunds.
Verify the free path
Section titled “Verify the free path”Set the test option price to zero and inspect the final payable amount, including any configured fees or taxes. A zero base price is not proof that the final amount is zero. Complete the public flow and verify the resulting payment and booking states. Use a separate paid test when validating an online gateway.