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Checkout, Deposits & Card Readers

These settings control how much customers pay at checkout, how security deposits are processed, and how to set up card readers for in-person payments.

Online Checkout​

Choose how much customers must pay when they complete a booking through the booking widget:

  1. Click Settings in the sidebar.
  2. Select Payments from the settings menu.
  3. In the Online checkout section, under Payment requirement, choose one of:
    • Full payment at checkout -- customers pay the entire booking total upfront.
    • Deposit only (balance due later) -- customers pay a deposit upfront, with the balance due later.

If You Choose Deposit Only​

  1. Select the Deposit Type:

    • Percentage -- a percentage of the total (e.g., 30%).
    • Fixed Amount -- a set dollar amount (e.g., $50).

  2. Enter the Deposit Value (the percentage or amount).

  3. Choose the Balance Collection Method:

    • Manual -- your team collects the remaining balance manually (e.g., at pickup).
    • Auto Charge -- EquipDash automatically charges the customer's card a set number of days before the booking.
    • Auto Payment Link -- EquipDash automatically sends a payment link to the customer a set number of days before the booking.

  4. If using auto charge or auto payment link, enter the Days Before Booking to trigger the balance collection.

  5. Click Update.

Security Deposits​

Control how security deposits (damage bonds) are processed when a booking includes a security deposit amount:

  1. In the Security deposits section, choose one of:
    • Hold (pre-authorize the amount, release after return) -- a temporary hold is placed on the customer's card. The funds are not actually charged unless you capture them. The hold automatically expires after the rental is returned.
    • Charge (charge the amount, refund after return) -- the deposit amount is charged to the customer's card as a separate transaction. You refund it manually after the rental is returned.
  2. Click Update.

The Online checkout and Security deposits sections on the Payments settings page

Card Readers (Stripe Terminal)​

If you take in-person payments, you can register Stripe Terminal card readers to collect tap-to-pay payments directly from the booking detail page.

Registering a Card Reader​

  1. On the Payments settings page, scroll to the Card Readers (Stripe Terminal) section.
  2. Click + Register Reader.
  3. Enter the Label (a name to identify the reader, e.g., "Front Desk") and the Reader ID (found on the reader device or in your Stripe Dashboard).
  4. Click Register.

The reader will appear in the table showing its Label, Reader ID, and Status (Online or Offline).

Removing a Card Reader​

Click the delete icon next to the reader you want to remove.

How It All Fits Together​

SettingWhat it controls
Online checkoutHow much the customer pays upfront (full or deposit)
Balance CollectionHow and when the remaining balance is collected (if deposit only)
Security depositsWhether the damage deposit is a hold or a charge
Card ReadersIn-person tap-to-pay payment collection via Stripe Terminal
Processing feesWho pays the card processing fees (see Processing Fees)

Things to Keep in Mind​

  • Security deposit settings only apply when a product or experience has a security deposit amount configured.
  • The Hold method is preferred by most businesses as it does not charge the customer unless you explicitly capture the funds.
  • Card readers require a connected Stripe account. See Connecting Stripe.
  • Changing these settings does not affect existing bookings. Only new bookings use the updated configuration.