Choose How You Get Paid
Detaild gives you flexibility in how you collect payments. You can use Detaild with or without connecting a Stripe account.
Without Stripe (Pay at Door)
Perfect for side gigs and cash businesses. Customers book online and pay when you arrive. No business setup required.
With Stripe Connected
Collect deposits to reduce no-shows. Accept card payments via payment link. Track all earnings in one place.
1 Without Stripe: Pay at Door
Don't have an LLC or business account yet? No problem. You can still accept bookings and get paid.
- Customer books through your booking page
- "Pay at Door" is shown at checkout - no card required
- You receive a booking notification
- Collect payment when you arrive (cash, Venmo, Zelle, etc.)
Side gig detailers • Cash businesses • Getting started quickly • Those without LLC/business setup
Without deposits, you have less protection against no-shows. Consider requiring deposits once you're ready to connect Stripe.
2 With Stripe: Deposits & Card Payments
Connect your free Stripe account to unlock deposits and card payments. Reduces no-shows by up to 80%.
Step 1: Customer Books
- Customer enters their card information
- A hold is placed on their card for the full amount
- Their card is not charged yet
Step 2: You Review
If You Decline
- Hold is released immediately
- Customer's card is never charged
If You Accept
- Deposit is charged from the hold
- Appointment is confirmed
- Customer receives confirmation
Step 3: Complete Service
After finishing the job, collect the remaining balance:
Option A: Send Payment Link
Customer confirms and pays. Remaining amount charged from hold. You receive full amount minus fees.
Option B: Collect Cash
Hold is released. Only deposit went through Stripe. You keep the cash with no additional fees.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Without Stripe | With Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Accept bookings | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collect deposits | ✗ | ✓ |
| No-show protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Send payment links | ✗ | ✓ |
| Accept cash/Venmo | ✓ | ✓ |
Understanding Fees (Stripe Users)
Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. Here's how that breaks down for a $100 service with a 25% deposit:
The Smart Way: Deposit + Cash
Most successful detailers use this hybrid approach — it gives you no-show protection while keeping more money in your pocket.
- Customer books online — enters card info, hold placed for full amount
- You accept the booking — deposit is charged (e.g., 25% = $25 on a $100 job)
- You complete the service — customer is happy with the work
- Release the remaining hold — the $75 hold disappears from their card
- Collect the rest in cash — cash, Venmo, Zelle, whatever works
You're Protected
If they no-show, you keep the deposit. No more driving to appointments that don't happen.
Lower Fees
Only pay Stripe fees on the deposit ($1.03), not the full job ($3.20). Save $2+ on every job.
This is how most successful mobile detailers operate — guaranteed commitment upfront, flexibility on the backend.
Tips for Success
Start without Stripe if you're testing the waters. You can always connect it later when you're ready for deposits.
Set deposit at 25% to cover no-shows while keeping the barrier to booking low.
Getting too many no-shows? That's a sign to connect Stripe and start requiring deposits.