If you are using Batch Payments or Batch Returns, you will find answers to the most common questions below. Alternatively, check out our YouTube channel, Batch for Booksellers, to see a selection of short explanatory films about Batch Payments. If you still have an issue – or have suggestions for new FAQs – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll be happy to help.

BatchLine FAQs and links to instructional videos can be found here.

Payments

I have two bookshops. Can I see them both on the same screen?

You can open up each bookshop in separate tabs to view all your accounts. Click on 'My Sites' next to your name in the top right-hand corner, find the shop, right click on the 'Payments' button and select 'Open Link in New Tab'. You can then go back and forth between the accounts.

Can I have some training on Batch Payments?

We have a user guide with step-by-step instructions that you can refer to. We would also be happy to set up a virtual training session. Please contact us on mail@batch.co.uk stating your bookshop name and 'Batch Payments training request' in the subject line. One of our team will then be in touch to arrange a call.

How can I tell if I am carrying forward a negative balance?

Note: applicable to non-direct debit users only. If there has been a shortfall in your payment from the previous period, this will show in the Balance Summary under the list of suppliers on your 'Current Period Summary'. The value will be in the first box on the left in RED.

How can I tell if I am carrying forward a credit balance?

In your 'Current Period Summary', you will see a Balance Summary under your suppliers. If there is a credit balance carried forward from a previous payment, this will show in the first box on the left in Green.

What is the quickest way for me to return to a previous page in Payments?

To go back to the previous page, click on the blue arrow at the top of the page. Clicking on your bookshop name will take you to your 'Current Period Summary'.

Where can I see if I have already raised a claim against an invoice?

When you click on 'Claim' next to an invoice, you will be taken to the claims form. At the top you will see any claims that have already been raised for that invoice with the claim reference number.

How do I find an invoice that is due in the future?

You can see these invoices by selecting the 'Future' or 'Future by Month' option from the 'Period Summaries' tab on the yellow menu bar. To find a specific invoice, you can use the 'Advanced Search' option to select a supplier and choose a range of dates.

Can I sort my transactions by value or invoice number?

Yes, you can sort your list of transactions using any heading that is in blue. This enables you to see the lowest to highest value or the highest to lowest value invoice, for example.

Can I see when and who change the status of a transaction?

Yes, when you click on the invoice or credit note in question you will see at the bottom of the page a box called 'Batch Status History'. Here you will see the date the transaction was changed, the status it was changed to and by whom.

Can I pay an invoice before the due date?

Yes, an invoice dated in the future can be paid early. Go to the 'Future Period Summary' and find the invoice you want to bring forward. Click on the invoice number to show the invoice detail, then click on the clock symbol next to the due date. You will see a pop-up box asking you to confirm you want to change the period the invoice is in. Click OK if you are happy to proceed. Note that the due date for the transaction will not change, but the transaction will now be listed in the ‘Current Period Summary’ and will be included in the next clearance. You can bring multiple transactions forwards in this way.

What is the Batch claims function?

Making claims via your Batch Payments account is a great way to inform suppliers of a problem with an invoice or delivery. Because claims are sent electronically, there is no need to phone or fax, and a permanent record is kept. Later on, if a credit controller wants to know why part of an invoice was unpaid, he or she can check on Batch and doesn’t need to call you. Using this function allows you to withhold payment on a line level but pay for everything else, which can avoid the supplier putting your account on stop. Note: most suppliers are processing queries via Batch, but there are a few suppliers who may contact you because they don't yet process queries via the claims function. 

I have opened an account with a new supplier. How do I pay them through Batch?

When you log in to BatchOne, you will see a grey, 'More options' button. Click on this and you will see a list of options, including 'Supplier account number setup'. Select this to see the suppliers you are currently using and all those you are not yet set up with. Select the company you want to start paying via Batch, enter the account number you hold with them, and this will automatically notify the supplier. Once the supplier has set you up, you will start seeing their invoices on your Batch account. If the supplier is not on Batch, let us know so we can contact them about our services. (You can also tell them separately that you would like them to use Batch.)

What does 'automatic unauthorisation' mean?

As you may be aware, at Batch we do not hold excess funds. Therefore, your payment must be with us by the authorisation date shown at the top of every page of your Batch account. (The authorisation date is three working days before the last day of the month.) If we do not have your funds in our bank by the due date, we cannot arrange payment to your suppliers in time.

We have therefore automated the system to ensure that only payments that have cleared in our GBP, dollar and euro accounts will be processed for payment to suppliers. If full funds have not reached the appropriate account by close of business (5pm GMT) on the day of authorisation, all transactions for that month will be automatically unauthorised that evening.

You will be able to see the transactions that were unauthorised in the Status Report section under Other Reports/Auto-Unauthorised Transactions.
To ensure that your transactions are not unauthorised, we would advise you to arrange payment in good time – bearing in mind the speed of your own bank – so that the money reaches us by the authorisation date. Also, please make sure that proof of payment is sent to mail@batch.co.uk.

A transaction has the status 'Not paying'. Do I have to ask you to change it?

The status 'Manual Adj' has been changed to 'Not paying through Batch'. You can easily change the status to 'Open' or 'Authorise' yourself. Choose the option 'O' for 'Open' or 'A' to authorise the transaction to be paid.

Who do I contact if I can’t see an invoice or credit note on Batch?

Invoices will show on Batch once the supplier has sent them to us. If you find a transaction is missing, please contact the supplier directly to get this uploaded. You can copy in mail@batch.co.uk when you contact the supplier.

How do I get details of my remittance, including a VAT breakdown?

Click on 'Period Summaries' in the yellow menu bar, select 'Past Remittances' and choose the period for which you want the remittance. When you come to that period, you will see a grey 'Download Remittance' button above each currency. Click on this to download a CSV file to your PC. This will hold all the details, including the VAT breakdown.

A box has arrived with no paper invoice. How can I find invoice details?

Log on to Batch Payments and use either the Quick Search option at the top of the page or the Advanced Search option. Entering the order number or delivery note number will display details of any invoices relating to those numbers.

Will Batch save me money on bank charges?

Most definitely yes! Because you make just one monthly payment to Batch per currency each month no matter how many suppliers there are to pay, you will pay a single bank charge. Note: you should check with your bank or transfer service regarding these charges.

I have accounts in different currencies – can I still use Batch?

  • Yes, Batch is multi-currency so payments in Sterling, Euros and US dollars are accepted. However, not all suppliers accept all three currencies through Batch. Look at the list of suppliers to check their individual status.
  • Important: if the invoice has been raised in a particular currency, then the payment to Batch must be in that currency.

How do I make my payments to Batch?

  • If your business is based in the UK, Batch will take a Direct Debit from you on the last working day of the month for the amount that has been authorised.
  • If you are based in Eire, Batch can take a Direct Debit for Sterling payments on the last working day of the month, provided you have a UK bank account. If not, the payment will need to be sent by bank transfer to arrive no later than the closing date for authorisation.
  • Booksellers in the rest of the world must pay by a monthly bank transfer. For more information please follow this link.

When will I see my invoices?

Invoices and credits will be shown on Batch as soon as the suppliers send them. Batch only displays invoice and credit data provided by the suppliers, so if there are errors or items missing, you should contact the supplier directly. Note: if you are new to Batch, the supplier will only provide us with invoices raised after they have set up your account for Batch. Any transactions dated prior to this will not be uploaded.

I am not sure what amount to transfer to Batch

The amount to be transferred is in the 'Amount to be Paid to Batch' column on the far right of the 'Current Period Summary' screen.

Non-direct debit customers: if you have a balance from the previous month, this will be visible in the Balance Summary below the suppliers listed on the Current Period page. The amount brought forward from the previous period will be displayed.

So, after all authorisations are done, the C/FWD (Carried Forward) column in the Balance Summary will show the amount that needs to be paid, including any outstanding balances from previous periods.

 

When can I see how much I paid a supplier for a month?

At about 7am on the morning following the closing date for authorisations, the amounts paid will be in 'Past Payment Status’ under the Reports tab.

Where can I see how much I paid last month?

Simply go to 'Period Summaries' menu, select 'Past Remittances' and choose the period you wish to look at. You can also see these details in the 'Payment Status' report.

Can I use Batch for copy invoices?

Yes, any invoice can be downloaded as a CSV file directly from our website. On the system, you will find a complete record of all your transactions with each supplier. Simply find the invoice you want to download and click on the grey Download button above the line details of the invoice. Some suppliers now also submit copy invoices as PDFs for download – look out for the PDF icon on Batch.

There are invoices on Batch that I have already paid. How do I remove them?

Select the invoice and click on the 'N button ('Not paying'). Click on ‘Update’ at the bottom of the page and the transaction will be removed.

I don't see all my publishers on Batch. Who should I tell?

The list of publishers on Batch is updated daily, so first check the suppliers' list: https://batch.co.uk/web/tools/register-with-suppliers

If the supplier isn't there, email us and we will contact them to ask whether they would like to join Batch. We would also suggest that you tell the supplier that you would like to pay them via Batch.

Can credit notes and claims that have already been resolved be removed?

Yes. Select the credit note or claim and click on the 'N' button ('Not paying'). Click on ’Update Status‘ at the top or bottom of the page and the transaction will be removed.

When can I see the amounts I paid the suppliers for a month?

At about 7am on the morning following the closing date for authorisations, the amounts paid will be in 'Past Remittances' under the 'Period Summaries' tab in the yellow menu bar.

Can I take my credit notes before the due date that is shown on Batch?

Booksellers can't bring credit notes forward from future clearances. These have usually been uploaded by the supplier in accordance with your payment terms with them, which are often thirty days for UK booksellers, so they'll appear at future dates on the system. We at Batch can move credits forwards for you, but only with the supplier's/publisher's permission. 

Where do you publish news and information?

The latest news will appear on the website and our Twitter account – @batch_services. We also send monthly reminders about the closing date for authorisations, so please ensure that we have your active email address.

What do the red flags mean?

A red flag indicates an overall credit against a supplier, which will be carried forward to the following month.

When I log on I get a certificate error.

Make sure you access Batch directly from www.batch.co.uk and not from a bookmarked link. Check that your PC date and clock are accurate. If the problem persists, contact us at mail@batch.co.uk.

Returns

Why should I use Batch Returns?

Batch Returns operates 24/7 and you will get your responses much faster than if you rely on contacting your rep or the supplier directly. Plus you will have an electronic record of all transactions. Visit our Returns page for more benefits.

How much does it cost to use Batch Returns?

There is no charge for booksellers to use Batch Returns.

What technology do I need to use Batch Returns?

All you need is an ADSL connection and web browser Google Chrome or Internet Explorer 8 or above (other browsers are not supported). The Batch website can also be accessed from an IOS or Android Smart phone.

How quickly can I start using Batch Returns once I have registered?

Once the registration form has been completed, we will pass your details to the suppliers. It normally takes about 48 hours (excluding weekend and bank holidays) for them to get back to us. We will contact you by email as soon as your account has been enabled.

I want to do a return for a supplier not listed, can you help?

Let us know and we will contact them on your behalf. You can also speak to the supplier directly and encourage them to join Batch Returns.

Which suppliers can I deal with through Batch Returns?

A list of all suppliers on Batch Returns and Batch Payments can be found here.

Why can I only find ‘Overstock’ as a reason for a return?

Some suppliers only allow overstocks through Batch. You will need to contact the supplier directly if the return is for another reason.

Do I need to complete the confirmation message?

Yes! Once approval has been given by the supplier, the actual quantity of products being returned must be confirmed. Quantities can only be adjusted downwards. If more books are returned than have been approved, then it is likely that a credit will only be raised for the approved number. A new request should be raised for any additional quantities to return.

I have confirmed the request, but forgotten to print the labels.

From the 'Search' tab, search by 'Request#', 'Customer Reference' or 'RAN', to list any matching authorisations. Click on the required RAN in the Search Results to show the Confirmation screen from where the labels or a picking list can be printed.

Can I cancel an outstanding request?

It isn't possible to delete a Returns request once made on Batch. Any request that isn't actioned is moved to an archive folder after ninety days and so doesn't appear on your summary screen. If the Return is still required, it can be submitted again without issue.

I sent a request recently, but I have not received a reply. Should I resend it?

If a reply hasn't been received within 24 hours, you should contact the supplier directly. Any technical issues involving Batch will be announced on our website and on Twitter @batch_services.

I have sent the same request twice. What can I do?

When the Authorisations come back from the supplier, confirm one of the Authorisations with all ‘Qty Confirmed’ values set to zero. Use the 'Set All Quantities to...' button to do this.

Can I view a list of requests for a specific supplier?

From the 'Search' tab, search by 'Supplier'. This will show all the requests for this supplier and their status. The list can be restricted further by selecting a 'Status' in the search criteria.

When I try to create a label, I get an error: ‘This label is no longer available’.

To resolve this, log out of Batch Returns and log back in again or press Ctrl F5 to refresh the browser and the labels should be available by searching for the required RAN and going to the Confirmation screen from where the labels or a picking list can be printed.

In my outbox there is a date in the Last Updated column and I can't start a new request for that supplier.

A request has been started for that supplier, but it hasn't been sent. You need to complete that request before starting another one for the same supplier.

 

 

Contact

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6 Bell Yard
LONDON
WC2A 2JR

Email: mail@batch.co.uk
Switchboard: +44 (0)203 832 2430
Fax: +44 (0)20 7430 9559

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