Frequently asked questions
Group payments, question by question
The questions merchants and their customers ask, with the answers we give on our calls — including when they don't work in our favor.
Updated September 12, 2026
For the customer who pays
Who is charged, and when?
Each participant pays only their own share, with their own card. When they confirm, the amount is put on hold on their card but not taken: this is a card authorization. Participants are only actually charged once the order total is reached.
What happens if the group doesn't reach the total?
The holds are released and nobody is charged. There is no refund to request, since no payment was ever made. The amount on hold becomes available again on each participant's card, within their bank's usual timeframe.
Do I need an account to take part?
No. A participant opens the link they received, sees the order details and the amount still due, then pays their share by card. No account is needed, either on the store or with Copay.
Can people pay unequal shares?
Yes. The split can be equal between all participants or open, with each person covering the amount they choose. The only rule is that the shares must add up to the order total for the order to be confirmed.
Are my card details shared with the merchant?
No. Card details are entered in fields hosted by Stripe, the payment provider. No card data goes through the merchant's server or through Copay's.
For the merchant
Where do the funds go? Does Copay hold them?
No, never. Contributions are collected directly on the merchant's Stripe account, as manual-capture card authorizations, then captured in one go. Copay runs the process but never holds the merchant's money at any point.
How long can a pool stay open?
Seven days at most. This isn't Copay's choice: it's how long a card authorization keeps the funds on hold. The default setting is 72 hours, because the order's stock stays reserved for the whole collection period.
Does this replace my current payment gateway?
No. Group payments are added to your existing list of payment methods. Customers who pay on their own carry on exactly as before; the option only appears for those who choose it.
How does it show up in my accounting?
As a single order and a single payment, for the full amount. The split between participants happens before capture: it doesn't appear in accounting exports, so there is no line-by-line reconciliation to do.
What about stock during the collection?
It's reserved. The order is put on hold and the stock is set aside while the collection runs, so the group doesn't find the product sold out in the meantime. If the pool doesn't succeed, the order is cancelled and the stock is released automatically.
Can an order paid by several people be refunded?
Yes, from the usual refund button in the store's admin. The refund, full or partial, is split pro rata between the contributors. There is no separate interface to learn.
Which stores does Copay work with?
WooCommerce stores, through an extension to install, and custom-built websites, through an API integration. Either way, the merchant keeps their existing Stripe account.
What are the fees?
1.5% transaction fee.
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