How to Troubleshoot and Resolve Failed Payment Scenarios in Bookipi

Payment failures can occur due to various reasons, including verification issues or declines by the issuing bank. Below, we provide step-by-step guidance on understanding and resolving such scenarios while using Bookipi.

What Payment Failures and Declines Indicate

Failed payments typically occur when:

A transaction cannot be verified by the card issuer.
The issuing bank declines a payment request. These declines could be due to insufficient funds, incorrect card details, or other reasons related to the bank's fraud prevention measures.

If a payment fails, it is essential to understand the cause and take the following corrective actions.

Steps to Resolve Payment Failures

1. Engage with the Issuing Bank

For card declines, encourage the customer to contact their issuing bank to resolve the issue. The bank can provide details on why the charge was declined and how to fix it. Repeated retries of the same transaction without resolving the underlying issue are unlikely to succeed.
If the card issuer confirms that everything is fine on their end but the payment still fails, proceed to the next steps.

2. Collaborate with the Merchant

Reach out to the merchant (the business or individual who issued the invoice) and inform them of the payment problem. The merchant can then contact Bookipi directly to investigate their account and identify the issue.
For privacy and security reasons, Bookipi can only access account details when contacted by the account holder with sufficient account information.

3. Explore Alternative Payment Methods

If it is not possible to resolve the failure immediately, consider arranging an alternative method of payment, such as using a different card or a bank transfer.

FAQs and Misconceptions

Why do repeated retries not work?

Bank declines are often triggered by specific conditions—whether related to the customer's account or broader security measures. Unless the root cause is resolved (e.g., updating card details or contacting the bank), retries will typically fail.

Can Bookipi investigate the issue directly for me?

No, for privacy and security reasons, Bookipi can only investigate a merchant's account when the merchant directly contacts us with their account details. By following these steps and collaborating with both merchants and issuing banks, most payment issues can be resolved effectively.

How can I troubleshoot and resolve failed payment scenarios in Bookipi?