Payments
Collecting Payment in CSM
CSM supports online payment collection through PayPal, Square, and Stripe. You can connect any combination of these — the customer sees whichever options your shop has enabled. Payment collection is a Pro plan feature.
To set up your payment processors, go to Account Settings → Payments and follow the connection steps for each provider. Each has its own credentials you paste in from your account with that provider — CSM connects to them directly.
Ways to Collect Payment
Front Desk
From the Payments tab of a Repair Order, click Collect Payment to bring up the checkout screen. The customer pays using their preferred payment method right there — on a tablet or computer at the counter. The payment is recorded to the RO automatically.
Customer Checkout Link
Send the customer a secure payment link by text or email. They open it on their own device and pay at their convenience — before they arrive to pick up the car, or after they leave. The link is tied to the specific Repair Order and updates the payment status automatically when they complete it.
Self-Service Kiosk
Set up a tablet or screen in your lobby as a self-service kiosk. Customers can look up their Repair Order and pay on their own without waiting for a service advisor. The kiosk runs a stripped-down, public-facing version of the checkout — no shop account or login required.
Manual Payment Entry
Record a cash, check, or other off-system payment directly on the Payments tab. Enter the amount, method, and any notes. The balance due updates immediately. Manual payments do not go through a payment processor — they are just a record that payment was received.
Payment Status
Each Repair Order shows a payment status: Unpaid, Partial, or Paid. The status updates automatically as payments come in. The Payments tab shows the total owed, total paid, and remaining balance — always calculated from the approved labor and parts on the RO.
Payment Security
Every payment amount is verified server-side against the actual Repair Order balance before any money moves. A manipulated or stale checkout page cannot process a different amount than what is actually owed. Your customers’ card data goes directly to PayPal, Square, or Stripe — CSM never stores card numbers.
The Open Payments List
Go to Payments → Open Payments for a shop-wide list of every Repair Order with an outstanding balance. Filter by payment method or status to see exactly what is still owed. Each row links directly to the Repair Order so you can take action in one click.