> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paintscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paintscout.com/support/invoicing-and-payments/recording-payments/how-customers-make-a-payment.md).

# How Customers Pay

When you send a payment request in PaintScout, your customer receives an email with a direct link to pay their invoice by credit card. Here is the step-by-step experience from your customer's perspective.

1. The customer receives an email containing a link to their invoice.

   <figure><img src="/files/Dx6mt1YM3ObOoj3q5vtC" alt="Screenshot showing the payment request email received by the customer with a link to the invoice"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. The requested amount and total invoice amount are displayed at the top of the invoice.

   <figure><img src="/files/zh4T4jB4E6XnIXnwZOQX" alt="Screenshot showing the customer invoice view with the requested payment amount and total invoice amount displayed at the top"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. The customer clicks the **Pay by Credit Card** button to open the payment screen and enter their card details.

   <figure><img src="/files/YMOqU9EyuN66PXnOpBH7" alt="Screenshot showing the Pay by Credit Card button and the payment screen where customers enter card details"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. If credit card surcharging is enabled, the surcharge appears in checkout before the customer confirms payment.

   <figure><img src="/files/3vXz3PeHsfLyp1Ny2v9E" alt="Screenshot showing the Pay button on the credit card payment screen for confirming payment"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
5. The customer clicks **Pay** to confirm payment.
6. The payment is recorded in the Payments section, and the customer automatically receives your Payment Received email. The balance due updates automatically.

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## Related articles

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Credit Card Surcharging</strong></td><td>Configure credit card surcharging to pass payment processing fees to customers when they pay invoices via credit card with Stripe or PaintScout Payments.</td><td><a href="/pages/TBNbh1ecjCJxmuGsXT5m">/pages/TBNbh1ecjCJxmuGsXT5m</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Payment Processing with Stripe</strong></td><td>Set up Stripe integration for credit card payments, deposits, and surcharging on estimates and invoices</td><td><a href="/pages/ZLe59xZCe0BnUc6RJ221">/pages/ZLe59xZCe0BnUc6RJ221</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Mark a Payment Request as Successful</strong></td><td>Mark a payment request as successful for cash, check, or other offline payments.</td><td><a href="/pages/43RXoUWzQ00uIv0LFAoA">/pages/43RXoUWzQ00uIv0LFAoA</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Manually Add a Payment</strong></td><td>How to record manual payments like cash, check, or electronic transfers on invoices</td><td><a href="/pages/pGsL7TVd4ux7ENyXINuK">/pages/pGsL7TVd4ux7ENyXINuK</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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