| Point to check | Stripe | Alipay | Bank transfer (T/T) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | The hosted payment link agreed for your order. | The merchant payment link, QR code or wallet flow agreed for your order. | The beneficiary and bank instructions agreed for your order. |
| Before approval | Check the merchant, amount, currency and options shown on the payment page. | Check the merchant, amount and currency in the wallet before confirming. | Check the beneficiary name, account, bank, currency and payment reference. |
| Costs to compare | Check the displayed total and any conversion or card-issuer charges that apply. | Check the wallet total and any conversion or funding charges that apply. | Clarify sending, receiving or intermediary charges and the amount expected to arrive. |
| Evidence to keep | Payment confirmation and transaction reference. Keep a receipt when issued. | Wallet transaction record and transaction reference. | Bank payment advice, bank reference and tracking reference when available. |
| When status is unclear | Check the original payment and ask us to match it to your order. | Check the existing wallet transaction before trying again. | Ask the sending bank to trace the existing transfer. |
Compare the same order and amount
Start with the latest approved quote. Record its Q reference, your CH enquiry reference, the amount due, currency and what this payment covers. A deposit and a final balance need separate amounts and clear references. Ask which amount must reach us before the next agreed purchasing or shipping step. This gives you a common basis for comparing the three methods.
Stripe for a hosted payment page
Stripe Payment Links open a hosted payment page. The payment options displayed depend on the merchant’s setup, location, currency and eligibility. Use the link agreed for your order and check the merchant and amount before confirming. If an expected option is absent or the page shows a different currency, return to the agreed instructions and ask us to check it.
- Keep the link or payment reference with your quote.
- Check the final total and any conversion shown by the payment page or your card issuer.
- Save the successful payment record and receipt if one is issued.
Alipay for an agreed wallet payment
Alipay payments use a wallet confirmation flow. For a merchant QR payment, the customer scans the merchant code and checks or enters the amount before authorising. The actual steps depend on the agreed payment flow. An Alipay option may also appear within an eligible Stripe payment page. In that case, follow the flow on that page so the same order stays associated with the payment.
- Confirm the merchant and currency shown in the wallet.
- Use the payment route agreed with us for that order.
- Retain the transaction record and reference rather than relying on a cropped success message.
Bank T/T for an invoice-based transfer
T/T means a bank transfer. For an international transfer, follow the beneficiary and bank details on the agreed instructions. Your bank may ask for an account number, IBAN, SWIFT/BIC, bank address or payment purpose, depending on the destination. Verify which fields apply to the receiving account. Copy the order reference accurately so the incoming amount can be matched to your order.
Compare currency and the amount received
A quote in one currency and a debit from your account in another involve a conversion decision. Ask which currency we expect to receive, who performs the conversion and what total you will be charged. For a bank transfer, discuss any sending, intermediary or receiving charges with your bank. Where OUR, SHA or BEN options apply, ask your bank to explain how the selected option affects charges and the expected receipt. Confirm the payment arrangement for the actual order instead of assuming one method always costs less.
Keep payment to us linked to supplier approval
Your payment to us and our coordination of a supplier payment are separate steps in the order. The supplier’s invoice, recipient, currency and approval still need to be agreed. A successful customer payment records funds sent through the chosen method. We then match the incoming amount to the order and confirm the next agreed action. Keep any purchasing, inspection and shipping approvals with the same quote version.
Use the existing transaction when checking a problem
If a page times out, a wallet shows a pending result or a bank transfer has not been matched, check the original transaction before making another payment. Share the date, amount, currency and transaction reference with us using your CH or Q reference. Your sending bank can help trace a bank transfer. For a cancellation, overpayment or refund request, identify the original transaction and ask us to confirm the amount and process for your order.
Choose from your own payment requirements
If you prefer a hosted payment page, ask for the Stripe route agreed for the quote. If you use Alipay, confirm the merchant flow and currency available for your order. If your finance team needs bank instructions and an invoice reference, discuss T/T. Tell us your preference when requesting a quote. The payment tutorial walks through the checks and evidence to keep after choosing.
- The approved amount, currency and purpose of payment.
- Your preferred method and any internal approval requirements.
- The payment evidence needed to match funds to the order.
From payment confirmation to order approval
For each payment, record which stage is confirmed and who approves the next action. Use the same Q- quote version and the related CH- enquiry. A card payment can have separate authorisation and charge stages. When funds arrive, check the amount, currency and allocation to the order.
Choose a route from your purchasing and finance needs
Stripe
For a buyer who wants to pay through a hosted page, start with the link supplied for the approved quote. This gives you a place to review the displayed amount and available methods before authorising.
- Confirm that an offered payment option works for your account and the agreed currency.
- If your company needs an invoice, ask which billing entity and quote reference the payment will use. Keep the provider record with that invoice.
Alipay
If you already use Alipay, check that your account can complete the merchant flow supplied for this order. When Alipay is offered through the agreed Stripe page, continue through that page to keep the payment associated with the order.
- Compare the wallet amount and currency with the confirmed instructions before authorising.
- Keep the wallet reference and ask for the order invoice or evidence your reimbursement process needs.
Bank transfer (T/T)
For a company working from a PO, invoice and bank approval process, T/T provides a route based on confirmed beneficiary instructions. Allow your bank to explain routing, exchange and charges for that transfer.
- Have the authorised payer approve the beneficiary details, amount and currency against the agreed order.
- Agree who bears charges and which amount will be allocated to the order before sending. Keep the bank reference for reconciliation.
| Confirmed record | What it means | Who checks | Next approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment authorised | Where the method uses a reservation, the amount is reserved on the payment method. The payment service shows whether the charge still needs to be completed. | The customer checks the payment service status. The team matches the transaction to the payment request. | Confirm completion of the payment before recording a receipt. |
| Payment completed by the service | The payment service confirms a successful payment. A later payout from the service to the bank account can have its own status. | The team checks the payment reference, amount and currency against the corresponding payment record. | Confirm the documented receipt and any details still needed for allocation. |
| Funds received or credited | A payment service or bank record confirms the credited amount and currency. The record used for confirmation is identified. | The team checks the receiving account or payment service and any deductions. | Match the receipt to the correct quote and agreed payment stage. |
| Payment allocated to the order | The quote version, payment stage, amount credited to the order and allocation of costs have been checked. Any remaining difference is recorded with its reason. | The team confirms allocation. The customer and team resolve changes or any additional amount to pay. | The authorised person decides whether to approve the prepared purchasing or shipping step. |
| Purchasing or shipping approved | The authorised person has confirmed the scope and conditions for the next order action. | The customer or nominated approver and the team check the written decision together. | The team carries out the approved action. Later items retain their agreed approval requirements. |
Worked example of a stage payment and a fee deduction
Illustrative example using invented amounts and charges to explain reconciliation. Actual amounts and terms are agreed for your order. The example stays in CHF to show the effect of charges. Any actual currency conversion requires an additional check.
| Record | Illustrative amount | Check and responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed purchasing scope | CHF 1,000 | The customer and team confirm the included items. Later shipping will be quoted separately. |
| Payment agreed for this stage | CHF 600 | Both parties record the items covered and the next approval associated with this amount. |
| Transfer principal instructed | CHF 600 | The customer checks the amount in the bank instruction. |
| Additional sending bank charge | CHF 20 | An assumed fee charged to the customer in addition to the transfer principal. |
| Total debited from the customer | CHF 620 | The customer reconciles the debit with the transfer principal and additional bank charge. |
| Deduction during the transfer | CHF 10 | An assumed deduction. The bank or payment record should establish its cause and allocation. |
| Amount actually credited | CHF 590 | The team confirms this receipt against the receiving account. |
| Difference from the agreed stage payment | CHF 10 | The customer and team compare the deduction with the agreed allocation of charges and confirm its treatment in writing. |
| Later balance originally planned | CHF 400 | This stays assigned to the later stage and is confirmed against the updated quote and allocated payments. |
| Later international shipping | To be quoted | Scope and price are confirmed separately using the agreed shipment details. |
The customer sees a CHF 620 debit while CHF 590 arrives in this example. Before another payment, both parties establish who bears the assumed CHF 10 deduction. Banks can deduct charges from the transfer principal under SHA or BEN. Ask your bank to explain the charge option offered. Any additional payment, the later balance and shipping costs each require explicit confirmation.
A payment processing fee borne by the merchant can reduce the merchant’s net proceeds. The customer’s paid invoice amount and remaining balance follow the agreed quote and allocation of costs. Before requesting an additional payment, the team identifies the type of deduction and the party responsible for it.
What each payment stage should record
- The current quote version and the matching Q- and CH- references.
- The amount due for this stage, earlier allocated payments and the confirmed payment status.
- The agreed currency and the goods or service items covered by the amount.
- The person authorised to approve purchasing or shipping and any conditions still to be confirmed.
- The remaining balance and separately confirmed freight costs, with the next decision for each.