Retail | A Budtender's guide to BLAZEPAY ACH (Aeropay)

FAQ's

1. What is ACH?

   1. ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It is a secure digital way that customers can pay for their orders by linking their bank account through a payment link triggered by a dispensaries in-store team or online site when selected at checkout. 

      Instead of using cash or a debit card's swipe network (like Visa or Mastercard), ACH moves money directly from a customer’s bank account to the dispensary’s bank account.

2. Do customers need to download an app for payment authorization?
   1. No, BLAZEPAY ACH is browser based. No app download is required to authorize payments.
3. How does ACH work for the customer?

   1. Payment Link: 

      1. In-store: When the customer is ready to pay for their order, the budtender will select the BLAZEPAY ACH payment option to trigger a payment link that will be sent directly to the phone number associated to the customers profile.
         
         
      2. Online (ECOM): Similar to the in-store workflow, at the checkout screen, the customer will trigger a paylink to complete their purchase when BLAZEPAY ACH is chosen as their payment method.

   2. Payment Request: When the payment link is triggered and the customer recieves a SMS link, they will be instructed to follow the provided link to complete their payment.

      1. 

   3. Payment Transfer: After the link is selected, the customer will be redirected to BLAZEPAY ACH's supported payment platform to link their preffered bank account. Once the payment has been authorized by the customer, the money moves through the Clearing House "highway."

      1. 

4. What makes ACH safe to use? 

   1. Security is usually the first question a first time ACH user asks. You can reassure the customer with the following information:

      1. Encryption: ACH transfers use high-level encryption that creates strong security to combat fraud. 

      2. No Wallet Data: The budtender never sees the customer's bank account number or login details. Everything is handled by a secure third-party processor.

      3. Federal Oversight: The network is governed by Nacha (the National Automated Clearing House Association), which enforces strict rules to protect consumers against unauthorized transactions.

5. How can I add users to the platform?
   1. Any admin user can add or remove users directly from the merchant platform. To do so, navigate to Access > Create User > enter their First Name, Last Name, email, role > finally, select Create User. 
      1. 
      2. 
      3. 
         
   2. The new user will recieve an email to log into the merchant platform.
      1. 
   1. Deposits are paid the next business day, on average no later than 3pm CT.
      • On weekends after the cut off time (Friday/Saturday/Sunday), deposits are made by Monday before 3pm CT.When do deposits happen?
   1. For techincal support, merchants may contact BLAZE with the processor's team included in the email for additional visibility.
      1. BLAZE support email: support@blaze.me
      2. Processor support email: blazesupport@aeropay.comWhere can I get support?

Budtender Education and Talk Track

1. Benefits of ACH

   1. Faster checkout times: Once a customer's bank account is linked through BLAZEPAY ACH, the payment can be swiftly authorized. This allows the in-store team to complete orders with no fuss, which keeps the line moving.
   2. Higher spend: Customers aren't limited by what’s in their wallet when using an ACH payment service. If they see a great deal, they can take it without finding an ATM.
   3. Safety: ACH reduces the amount of physical cash in the store, making it a safer environment for staff and customers.
2. Objection handling
   1. First time ACH users may be hesitant to use the payment service. But with the proper education customers can be encouraged to pay with ACH. 
      
      Below are helpful tips on how to reassure the customer that ACH is a trusted payment method. 
      1. "I don't trust following an unknown link"

         1. The Middleman Strategy: "I completely understand the concern. The link actually takes you to to a secure third party platform, similar to linking your bank for the first time through Venmo or PayPal. We never see your login or your password."

         2. Bank-Led Security: "The link isn't us asking for your info. Think of it more like a secure bridge to your own bank. You're actually logging into your bank's portal to authorize the payment, not ours."

         3. The "No Data" Promise: "Once you’re linked, the only thing our point of sales sees is confirmation of payment or a pending balance. Your account numbers and dollar amount in your accounts stay hidden from the store and the staff."

      2. "I am not tech savvy"

         1. One time sign up benefit: "The setup is the only 'techy' part, and it takes about 60 seconds. After today, you never have to do it again. You just scan our code or we send you a text and you’re done."

         2. Offer a "Walk-Through": "If you have your banking app on your phone, I can show you exactly where to click to link your account once you follow the BLAZEPAY ACH payment link. It’s mostly just signing in like you’re checking your balance."

      3. "I prefer cash"

         1. Security redirection: "I used to prefer cash too, but I realized if I lose my wallet, that cash is gone forever. If you lose your phone, your ACH account is still locked behind your FaceID or passcode."

         2. To the penny payments: "An important part about BLAZEPAY ACH is the 'to-the-penny' accuracy. You don't have to worry about the ATM only giving 20s and then ending up with a pocket full of heavy coins. BLAZEPAY ACH sends a request to your bank to pull the exact amount needed, so you're in and out."
3. How do customers get their promotional credit?
   1. First time BLAZEPAY ACH (Aeropay) customers will receieve a promotional credit by their next statement period. 
4. If AeroPay does not have access to the customer’s bank account, how are refunds/credits sent back to the customer?
   1. Aeropay doesn’t “access” the customer’s bank. When the bank is linked, it creates a secure ACH token that allows both pulling money (debit) and sending money back (credit). Refunds and credits operate from that same token that lets Aeropay push funds back over ACH.
5. What is the difference between an "authorized" and "captured" payment status?
   
   1. Authorized = The customer has linked their bank account, the platform has verified that there are enough funds for the pending order, and the customer has given permission that the integration can withdraw the funds at the time of order completion. 
   2. Captured = When the budtender selects "COMPLETE" in the POS, that is what will trigger a call to the integration to withdraw the funds from the customers account. Only when "COMPLETE" is selected in the BLAZE POS side is when the order is finalized and fully paid for. 
6. When do funds leave the customers account?
   1. Once "COMPLETE" is selected in the BLAZE POS, the funds will be withdrawn from the customers account to pay for their order.