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

# How payments are collected

> The exact trigger for payment collection, and what's locked once it starts.

Payment collection is a distinct step from invoicing — an invoice being finalized (Sent) doesn't by itself start collecting payment.

## The trigger

Once an order is approved and its invoice is finalized, that invoice becomes ready to collect. Collection then starts one of two ways:

* **Automatically**, if the customer has auto-accept enabled — FikaTrade queues collection right after the order is approved, with no action from your team.
* **Manually**, when a member of your team selects **Collect Payment** on the invoice.

## What method is used

Collection uses the customer's **default** payment method — whichever PayTo agreement or card they currently have set as default. If they don't have a usable default method, collection fails with a message telling you why, rather than falling back to another method automatically.

## The amount collected

The amount collected is the invoice total at the time collection starts, and it's locked once collection is underway — later changes to the order don't retroactively change an in-progress or completed collection.

## Multiple attempts

If a collection attempt fails, selecting **Collect Payment** again on the same invoice retries it — see [Failed payments and retries](/supplier-guide/payments/failed-payments-and-retries).

## Related guides

* [Payments overview](/supplier-guide/payments/overview)
* [Payment statuses](/supplier-guide/payments/payment-statuses)
* [Failed payments and retries](/supplier-guide/payments/failed-payments-and-retries)