This article will guide you through the plan-level settings that affect when plans begin and when clients are charged, as well as the options available to staff when processing plan purchases at the front desk.
Choosing the right plan configuration is key to ensuring a smooth experience for your business and clients. The "Plan starts on" and "First payment due" settings determine when a plan activates and when the client is charged. Consider your preferences and client needs when deciding between having plans start on the first visit or immediately at checkout, and whether to charge clients upfront or on the plan's start date.
👇 Follow these steps to access this setting:
Select Manage Services from the left menu
Choose Plan Management
Navigate to the plan you would like to update and select the 3 dots in the top right corner
Choose Edit
Under the Description & Availability section click the Edit icon
See "Plan start on" and "First Payment Due" fields
Plan-Level Setting: Plan starts on
The "Plan starts on" setting determines whether the plan starts on date of first visit, immediately on check out or on a date the client chooses.
Date of first visit
The client is always charged immediately upon purchasing the plan.
The "First payment due: on plan start date" option is not available for this type of plan.
After the client purchases the plan, it remains in a pending state until the client attends their first visit.
Neither staff members nor clients can select a future start date for plans with this setting enabled.
Immediately on checkout
The client's plan activates as soon as they complete their purchase, unless they select a future start date.
If the plan setting "Allow client to select date at checkout" is enabled, clients can choose a future start date for their plan when purchasing through the Walla App, Branded App, or Widget.
If a client selects a future start date, their plan will begin on the chosen date and remain in a pending state until then.
If a client does not select a future start date, their plan will start immediately upon checkout.
Staff members can always select a future start date for clients when processing plan purchases at the front desk, regardless of the plan setting.
Allow client to select date at checkout
Clients can choose a future start date for their plan when purchasing through the Walla App, Branded App, or Widget.
If a client selects a future start date, their plan will begin on the chosen date.
If a client does not select a future start date, their plan will start immediately upon checkout.
✋ Important Staff members will always have the ability to select a future start date when checking out a client whether "Allow client to select date at checkout " setting enabled or disabled
Plan-Level Setting: First payment due
The "First payment due" setting determines when a client is charged for their plan purchase. This setting is configured for each individual plan. You have two options for this setting.
Immediately on checkout
When this option is selected, the client is charged for their plan as soon as they complete their purchase, even if they have chosen a future start date for their plan.
On plan start date
When this option is selected, the client is charged on the date their plan is set to begin. However, this option is not available if the plan is configured to start on the client's first visit.
Front Desk Functionality
When staff members are checking out clients at the front desk, they have the following options and considerations regarding plan start dates and payments.
Selecting a future start date
If a plan's "Plan starts on" setting is configured to "Start immediately at checkout," staff can always choose a future start date for the client's plan. This flexibility is available regardless of the plan "Allow client to select date at checkout" setting.
Respecting the "First payment due" setting
The "First payment due" setting for each plan is always respected when staff members are processing plan purchases at the front desk.
Two possible scenarios for the "First payment due" setting
Scenario A: If the "First payment due" setting is "Immediately on checkout," the client will be charged for their plan at the time of purchase, even if a future start date is selected.
Scenario B: If the "First payment due" setting is "On plan start date," the client will be charged on the selected start date of their plan.
☝️ Important For plans that start on the first payment, clients cannot book classes before the plan start date, and the start date is permanent and cannot be changed or reset once the first visit is booked, even if the first visit is canceled.
Configuring Plan Start Dates and Payment Settings: Scenarios and Outcomes
Scenario 1: Immediate Start with Immediate Payment
Plan settings enabled
✔️ Plan starts "Immediately on checkout"
✔️ First payment due setting "Immediately on checkout"
Clients can not choose a future start date:
The plan starts immediately
The client is charged immediately at the time of purchase
On the front desk, staff can sell plans with either
Immediate start: Plan activates and client is charged immediately
Future start: Plan is pending until selected date and client is charged immediately
What happens when a client purchases on a plan on the Walla App, widgets, or Branded App?
Clients do not have the option to select a future start date when purchasing a plan.
Scenario 2: Client Flexibility with Immediate Payment
Plan settings enabled
✔️ Plan starts"Allow clients to select start date on checkout"
✔️ First payment due setting "Immediately on checkout"
If a client chooses a future start date:
The plan is pending until the selected start date
The client is charged immediately at the time of purchase
If a client does not choose a future start date:
The plan starts immediately
The client is charged immediately at the time of purchase
On the front desk, staff can sell plans with either
Immediate start: Plan activates and client is charged immediately
Future start: Plan is pending until selected date and client is charged immediately
What happens when a client purchases a plan on the Walla App, widgets, or Branded App?
Clients have the option to choose a future start date for their plan when purchasing the plan on the widget, Walla App, and Branded App checkout.
Scenario 3: Client Flexibility with Immediate or Future Payment
Plan settings enabled
✔️ Plan starts "allow clients to select date on checkout"
✔️ First payment due "on plan start date"
If the client chooses immediate start
The plan activates immediately
The client is charged immediately
If the client chooses a future start date
The plan is pending until the selected date
The client is charged on the selected date
On the front desk, staff can sell plans with either
Immediate start: Plan activates and client is charged immediately
Future start: Plan is pending until selected date and the client is charged immediately on checkout
What happens when a client purchases on a plan on the Walla App, widgets, or Branded App?
Clients are able to choose a future start date when purchasing a plan.