Pinch Payment Plan Set-Up Guide

🔍 Step 1: Does the invoice already exist?

✅ YES → Use Breakdown an Existing Invoice

• Ideal if you've already issued an invoice to the customer.

• Pinch will apply each payment against the invoice as it's paid.

📎 Jump to Breakdown an Existing Invoice

 

❌ NO → You'll need to create the invoice within the payment plan.

👉 Continue to Step 2 to choose how you'd like to create invoices.

 

🧭 Step 2: What type of payment plan do you need?

🔁 Would you like a new invoice created for each payment as it occurs?

• Use Generate Invoice per Payment.

• Best for ongoing recurring payments (e.g. $100/month gym membership with no end date).

📎 Jump to Generate Invoice per Payment

 

🧾 Or do you want a single invoice that totals the full amount to be paid off in instalments?

• Use Generate a Single Invoice.

• Great for fixed-term agreements (e.g. a $1,200 invoice paid in 12 x $100 monthly payments).

📎 Jump to Generate a Single Invoice

 

 

📝 Option 1: Breakdown an Existing Invoice

🔔 Note
Use this if your customer already has a standard invoice you want to break into instalments.

1. Go to Plans & Subscriptions in your Pinch dashboard

2. Click Create Plan

3. Choose Breakdown an Existing Invoice

4. Name the plan, add a terms link (if applicable)
5. Create opt-in settings (if required), by using 'Allow customer to select this plan to pay off their invoices?'

6. Set the payments and the frequency (e.g. weekly, monthly)

7. Review and save

8. Choose the invoice to apply the plan to

 

📨Option 2: Generate Invoice per Payment

💡 Tip

Ideal for indefinite subscriptions, retainers, or memberships.

1. Go to Plans & Subscriptions

2. Click "Create Plan"

3. Choose Generate Invoice per Payment

4. Name the plan, add a terms link (if applicable)

5. Choose the start date, payments, frequency, and whether there’s an end date or it continues indefinitely.

6. Optional: Add a reference or note.

7. Review and save.

📌 Pinch will create and reconcile an invoice for each payment automatically.

 

📩 Option 3: Generate a Single Invoice

💡 Tip

Perfect for fixed-term service agreements or projects with a known total cost.

1. Go to Plans & Subscriptions.

2. Click "Create Plan".

3. Choose Generate a Single Invoice.

4. Name the plan, add a terms link (if applicable)

5. Choose the start date, payments, frequency, and how the subscription will end

6. Optional: Add a reference or note.

7. Review and save.

📌 A single invoice will be generated and paid off through the plan.

 

💬 FAQs

❓ Question	💡 Answer
What happens if a customer has an unlimited Pre-Approval?	You can schedule unlimited payments without additional approvals. Great for ongoing billing.
Can I change a payment plan after it's been set up?	No. You'll need to cancel the plan and create a new one. If your customer doesn't have an unlimited pre-approval, you’ll need to re-invite them.
What if a payment fails?	Pinch will automatically retry if you have reattempt setting enabled and notify you. You can also manually retry.
Can my customer view their plan?	Yes, customers receive a secure link to a portal where they can view payments, change details, and more.
Do I need to create invoices manually?	No. Pinch automatically creates and reconciles them based on the plan.
What happens if I cancel a plan mid-way?	Future payments stop. Any partial payments remain on the open invoice in your accounting software.

 

🙋‍♀️ Need more help? Our friendly support team is always here to walk you through it, or book a free setup session with us!