Overview
Connect2Cart uses a prepaid account balance to purchase shipping labels. Rather than charging your payment method for every individual shipment, Connect2Cart automatically replenishes your account balance when it falls below a specified threshold.
This approach helps ensure uninterrupted shipping while minimizing the number of payment transactions.
How Account Billing Works
Every shipping label purchased through Connect2Cart is deducted from your available account balance.
As your balance decreases, Connect2Cart monitors the remaining funds.
When your balance reaches the replenishment threshold, Connect2Cart automatically charges your active payment method and adds funds back to your account.
No action is required unless your payment method expires or a payment cannot be processed.
Understanding Your Account Balance
Your Account Balance represents the funds currently available for purchasing shipping labels.
Every shipment purchased reduces this balance.
Automatic replenishments restore the balance when necessary.
Automatic Replenishment
Automatic replenishment ensures that funds are always available for purchasing shipping labels.
When your account balance reaches the replenishment threshold:
- Connect2Cart charges your active payment method.
- The configured replenishment amount is added to your account balance.
- Shipping can continue without interruption.
Replenishment Amount
The Replenishment Amount is the amount added to your account each time an automatic replenishment occurs.
Your replenishment amount should generally represent approximately one week’s worth of expected shipping expenses.
Choosing an appropriate replenishment amount reduces the number of billing transactions while ensuring adequate funds remain available for shipping.
Replenishment Threshold
The Replenishment Threshold determines when an automatic replenishment occurs.
When your account balance falls below this amount, Connect2Cart automatically replenishes your account using your active payment method.
For ACH payment methods, the replenishment threshold is equal to the replenishment amount to help ensure sufficient funds are always available.
Credit Card Payments
Credit cards can be used immediately after they are added to your account.
Benefits include:
- Immediate activation
- Automatic replenishments
- No approval process
Credit card replenishments are subject to a 3.5% processing fee.
ACH Payments
ACH payments are available for qualified customers.
Before ACH can be activated:
- Your request must be reviewed and approved by the Connect2Cart team.
- A credit card must remain on file as a backup payment method.
- Your replenishment amount should generally equal approximately one week’s expected shipping expenses.
- The replenishment threshold is set equal to the replenishment amount.
These requirements help ensure adequate funds are available while ACH transfers are processing.
Failed Payments
If an automatic replenishment cannot be processed:
- Your account balance will continue to decrease as shipping labels are purchased.
- If your balance reaches zero, additional shipping labels cannot be purchased until your account has been replenished.
- Connect2Cart may attempt the payment again or use your backup payment method, if available.
If a payment continues to fail, update your payment method as soon as possible.
Best Practices
To help ensure uninterrupted shipping:
- Keep an active payment method on file.
- Review your account balance regularly.
- Choose a replenishment amount appropriate for your shipping volume.
- Update expired credit cards promptly.
- Maintain a backup credit card if using ACH payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Connect2Cart use a prepaid balance?
Using a prepaid balance allows shipping labels to be purchased immediately without processing a payment for every shipment, improving performance and reducing payment processing overhead.
How often will my account be replenished?
Your account is replenished whenever your balance reaches the configured replenishment threshold.
The frequency depends on your shipping volume and replenishment amount.
Can I change my replenishment amount?
Yes. You can update your replenishment amount by editing your active payment method.
What happens if my payment fails?
If a replenishment cannot be completed, your available balance will continue to decrease. Once your balance reaches zero, you will not be able to purchase additional shipping labels until your account has been successfully replenished.
Is ACH available to everyone?
No. ACH payments require approval by the Connect2Cart team and are subject to additional account requirements.
Related Articles
- Managing Payment Methods
- Viewing Transaction History
- Viewing Shipping History