How Payments Work
Understanding your payment options on Bakery.net
Two Ways to Accept Orders
Free Inquiry System
100% Free Forever
How it works:
- Customers fill out inquiry form
- You receive email notification
- You respond via email or phone
- Arrange payment your way (cash, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, check)
Cost to you: $0
Platform fee: $0
You keep: 100% of payment
Perfect for bakers who prefer cash or already use Venmo/CashApp with customers.
Credit Card Payments
Optional - Only Pay When You Earn
How it works:
- Connect your Stripe account (5 minutes, free)
- Customers pay with credit card on your profile
- Money goes directly to your bank (2 business days)
- Automatic payment confirmations via email
Fees (only when you get paid):
• Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
• Bakery.net: 3.9% per transaction
Total: 6.8% + $0.30
Example on $100 order:
• Customer pays: $100.00
• Stripe fee: -$3.20
• Platform fee: -$3.90
• You receive: $92.90
Best for bakers who want professional checkout, instant payment confirmation, and to reach more customers.
Why Offer Credit Card Payments?
Benefits for You:
- ✓Get paid immediately (no waiting for cash/checks)
- ✓More customers (some only pay with cards)
- ✓Professional image
- ✓Automatic record keeping for taxes
- ✓No awkward money conversations
Benefits for Customers:
- ✓Pay securely with any credit card
- ✓Instant confirmation
- ✓No need for cash or apps
- ✓Credit card rewards/points
- ✓Purchase protection
Collect 50% Deposits for Large Orders
Never buy ingredients out of pocket again!
How It Works:
Customer Orders
$300 wedding cake
Pays 50% Deposit
$150 to your bank in 2 days
Charge Balance
$150 before pickup
✨ Why This Is Huge:
- →No more risk: Customer is committed before you spend money on ingredients
- →Cash flow: Buy ingredients with customer's deposit, not your savings
- →Fewer no-shows: Customers who pay deposits actually show up
- →Bigger orders: Take on expensive custom cakes without financial stress
🎯 Perfect For:
- • Wedding cakes ($200-$500)
- • Custom birthday cakes ($100-$300)
- • Large catering orders ($150+)
- • Multi-tier celebration cakes ($150+)
Deposits automatically available for orders $50 and above
Connect Stripe & Enable Deposits →It's Completely Optional
You're never required to accept credit cards. Many successful bakers on Bakery.net use only the free inquiry system and accept cash, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp from their customers.
The choice is yours:
- 💵Cash/App payments: Keep 100% of what you earn, handle payments your way
- 💳Credit cards: Reach more customers, get paid faster, pay small fees
- 🤝Both: Offer credit cards but also accept cash/Venmo for regulars
💡 Our Philosophy: We only make money when you make money. No monthly fees, no signup costs, no hidden charges. If you prefer cash-only, that's totally fine with us!
About Stripe (Our Payment Processor)
Stripe is the industry-standard payment processor trusted by millions of businesses worldwide including Amazon, Shopify, Lyft, and DoorDash.
What Stripe Provides:
- Secure credit card processing (PCI compliant)
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Direct deposits to your bank account
- Tax forms (1099-K) at year-end
- Chargeback protection
- Customer support
Stripe Costs:
$0/month - No monthly fees, no setup fees, no hidden costs
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction - Only charged when you get paid
This is the standard rate across all industries. Competitors charge the same.
Connecting Your Stripe Account:
- Takes 5 minutes
- Free to set up
- Requires: Bank account, SSN/EIN, basic business info
- One-time setup, then it works automatically
How Our Fees Compare
| Platform | Transaction Fee | Monthly Cost | Baker Keeps (on $100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery.net (with credit cards) | 6.8% + $0.30 | $0 | $92.90 |
| Bakery.net (cash/Venmo) | 0% | $0 | $100.00 |
| Etsy | 9.75% + $0.45 | $0 | $90.05 |
| Shopify (Basic) | 2.9% + $0.30 | $29/mo | $97.10* |
| Square | 2.9% + $0.30 | $0-60/mo | $97.10* |
* Doesn't include monthly fee. Shopify costs $29/mo even if you make $0.
💡 Key Difference: Unlike Shopify or Square, we don't charge monthly fees. You only pay when you make sales. If you earn $0 in a month, you pay $0.
Common Questions
Do I have to use credit card payments?
No! It's completely optional. Many bakers only use our free inquiry system and collect payment via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp. Your profile works either way.
Can I offer both credit cards AND cash/Venmo?
Absolutely! Customers can choose to "Pay Now" with a credit card or "Request Quote" to arrange payment directly with you. You have full flexibility.
Why does Bakery.net charge 3.9%?
That's how we keep the platform running with $0 monthly fees. We only make money when you make money. This covers:
- Hosting and servers
- Email notifications
- Customer support
- Platform improvements
- Search and discovery features
When do I get paid?
With Stripe, money arrives in your bank account within 2 business days after a customer pays. First payout might take 7-10 days (Stripe security review), then it's automatic every 2 days.
What if a customer wants a refund?
You handle refunds through your Stripe dashboard. If you refund a customer, they get their money back and the fees are reversed (both Stripe's and ours). You're in complete control.
Is Stripe safe?
Stripe processes billions of dollars for millions of businesses. They're PCI Level 1 certified (highest security level) and handle payments for Amazon, Google, Shopify, and more. Your banking information is encrypted and secure.
💰 How do deposits work?
For orders $50+, customers can choose to pay 50% upfront as a deposit. Here's how it works:
- Customer checks "Pay 50% deposit now" checkbox during checkout
- They pay half immediately (arrives in your bank in 2 days)
- You make the order with confidence
- Before pickup, click "Send Payment Link for Balance" in your dashboard
- Customer pays remaining 50% online
- Both payments arrive in your bank separately
Can I charge the remaining balance online?
Yes! NEW FEATURE: When a customer pays a deposit, you can send them a payment link for the remaining balance. Go to Dashboard → Orders → Click the order → Click "Send Payment Link for Balance". No more collecting cash at pickup!
What if I need to refund a customer?
Easy! Go to Dashboard → Orders → Click the order → Click "Issue Refund". You can refund the full amount or partial amount. Refunds are processed immediately through Stripe and appear in the customer's account in 5-10 business days.
What information does Stripe need?
For basic setup (5 minutes):
- Bank account and routing number
- SSN (for sole proprietors) or EIN (for LLCs)
- Date of birth
- Home address
- Business name (can be your name)
Note: This is required by federal law to prevent fraud and money laundering.
Do I need an LLC or business license?
No! You can use your personal SSN and operate as a sole proprietor. Many home bakers start this way. However, check your state's cottage food laws for food safety requirements.
Ready to Start Your Bakery?
Create your free profile in minutes. Choose how you want to get paid - it's entirely up to you.