Hey everyone, we’re just becoming aware of tons of issues created by the current deposits system. Currently, a “deposit” item works just the same as a regular line item; except it also makes an inverse (qty -1) line item on the ticket (to function as a credit). Here are just some of the many issues we’re discovering from this functionality:

• “Deposit items” are available just like regular inventory “line items” which can be added to estimates/invoices; but cause chaos if used this way (duplicate credits, leftover credits) on tickets.
• If a tech accidentally adds in a deposit line item on an estimate (for customer reference of the credit), it will duplicate the credit to the invoice, if/when the estimate is converted.
• Deposits created from the “Take Deposit” button (on tickets) create “deposit invoices” that are easily confused / mixed up with regular invoices (show on the progress bar, mixed in with regular invoices).
• These deposit invoices are immediately available as “deposit credits” (to the ticket and to the account), even before the deposit invoice is ever paid!
• These deposit credits can be used, and then the deposit invoice can be (accidentally or maliciously) deleted without ever being paid (making money discount/disappear).
  • Deposit invoices can be paid, and the deposit credit can be (accidentally or maliciously) deleted from the ticket, causing the invoice to not reflect the deposit payment that was made.
• There is no proper way to show that there is a “deposit credit” available on estimates, causing customers to see (and be informed of) inaccurate estimate totals.

My proposed solution is to eliminate the ability to set regular line items to work as “deposit items” and create a proper deposit taking system. Deposits should function completely different than line items and ticket charges. Here are just a few of the core functions that should happen with proper deposits:

• Deposit charges should not be available on estimates/invoices the way regular line items are.
• Deposits should still create their own independent invoice, but that invoice should be organized in a separate section from the regular invoices on the ticket (see my post about how to make the current progress bar handle this: http://feedback.repairshopr.com/forums/165658-general/suggestions/7944558)
• Deposit invoices should not post as “available credit” until the deposit invoice has been paid in full.
• Deposit credits should post to the customer account (not the ticket) where they would not be able to be deleted, and would be available to any/all estimates and invoices.
• Deposit credits would show as “available credit” on any open estimates in the subtotal charges section.
• Deposit credits would show as “unapplied credit” on any open invoices, the same way unapplied credit does currently.

In all honesty, I believe the “ticket charges” section is problematic and causes confusion when used in different ways. Let’s get the deposit feature away from functioning like ticket charges do, and then work on replacing the ticket charges system altogether. VOTE BECAUSE I’M ALWAYS RIGHT!