> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://every.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payment Methods

> Understanding payment options for vendor bills

## Payment Methods

Every supports multiple payment methods to pay your vendors efficiently.

### Available Payment Methods

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="ACH Transfer" icon="landmark">
    Free electronic bank transfers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Check" icon="receipt">
    Physical checks mailed to vendors
  </Card>

  <Card title="Wire Transfer" icon="zap">
    Same-day urgent payments
  </Card>

  <Card title="Virtual Card" icon="credit-card">
    One-time use card numbers
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### ACH Transfers

**Best for:** Most vendor payments

**Features:**

* No transaction fees
* 3-5 business day processing
* Secure electronic transfer
* Automatic payment tracking
* Direct bank-to-bank transfer

**Requirements:**

* Vendor bank account information
* Account number
* Routing number
* Bank name

<Tip>
  ACH is the most cost-effective payment method for regular bills
</Tip>

### Check Payments

**Best for:** Vendors who don't accept electronic payments

**Features:**

* Physical check mailed to vendor
* Check printing and mailing by Every
* Delivery tracking
* Digital check images
* \$1.50 per check fee

**Processing time:**

* 5-7 business days for delivery
* Add 3-5 days for vendor to deposit

### Wire Transfers

**Best for:** Urgent or high-value payments

**Features:**

* Same-day or next-day processing
* Bank-to-bank transfer
* Guaranteed delivery
* Confirmation included
* \$25 fee per wire

**When to use:**

* Time-sensitive payments
* International vendors
* Large transactions
* Down payments or deposits

<Warning>
  Wire transfers cannot be reversed once processed. Verify recipient details carefully.
</Warning>

### Virtual Cards

**Best for:** Online purchases and subscriptions

**Features:**

* One-time use card numbers
* Set spending limits
* Automatic categorization
* No physical card needed
* 2.9% transaction fee

**Use cases:**

* Software subscriptions
* Online advertising
* Travel bookings
* Vendor deposits

### Payment Scheduling

Schedule payments in advance:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Payment Date">
    Choose when you want the payment to process
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Method">
    Select ACH, check, wire, or card
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Details">
    Confirm vendor and amount
  </Step>

  <Step title="Schedule">
    Payment will process on selected date
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Payment Timing

Plan ahead for payment processing times:

| Method       | Processing Time            | Total Time to Vendor |
| ------------ | -------------------------- | -------------------- |
| ACH          | 3-5 business days          | 3-5 business days    |
| Check        | 1-2 business days to print | 5-7 business days    |
| Wire         | Same day/next day          | 1-2 business days    |
| Virtual Card | Instant                    | Instant              |

### Setting Default Payment Methods

Configure default payment methods:

* By vendor (preferred method per vendor)
* By category (ACH for utilities, cards for software)
* By amount (wires for payments over \$10,000)

Go to **Settings** > **Bill Pay** > **Payment Defaults**

### Payment Confirmations

After payment processing:

* Email confirmation sent
* Payment receipt generated
* Accounting entry created
* Vendor notified (if email on file)
* Transaction recorded in banking

<Note>
  Keep payment confirmations for your records and tax purposes
</Note>

### Failed Payments

If a payment fails:

1. You'll receive an immediate notification
2. Review the failure reason
3. Update payment information if needed
4. Resubmit the payment
5. Contact vendor about delay

Common failure reasons:

* Insufficient funds
* Invalid account information
* Bank restrictions
* Payment limits exceeded