# Setting up deposits - Depositline 1.x documentation

> Set a deposit store-wide, per product category, per product or per variation, as a percentage or an amount per item, optional or required.

A deposit has two parts: whether the product takes one (the mode), and how much (the amount). You can set them in four places, from the broadest to the most specific:

1. **Store-wide**, under **WooCommerce → Depositline**.
2. **Per product category**, under **Products → Categories**.
3. **Per product**, on its **General** tab.
4. **Per variation**, on each variation of a variable product.

The most specific setting wins. A product without its own setting uses its category's, and a category without one uses the store-wide setting.

## The modes

| Mode | What the customer does |
|---|---|
| **No deposit** | Pays in full, as usual. |
| **Deposit, or pay in full at checkout** | Pays the deposit, or picks **Pay in full now** at checkout. |
| **Deposit required** | Always pays the deposit now and the balance later. |

## The amount

Enter either:

- **A percentage**, such as `25%`: a share of the price after coupons, before tax.
- **An amount**, such as `50`: that much per item, so 3 items take a deposit of 150.

A deposit is never more than the item costs. The percentage must be below 100%.

## Set the store-wide deposit

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Depositline**.
2. Under **Deposits**, check that **Enable** has **Take deposits at checkout** ticked.
3. Choose the **Store-wide deposit**: **No deposit**, **Deposit, or pay in full at checkout** or **Deposit required**.
4. Enter the **Deposit amount** (25% to start with).
5. Choose how **Tax and shipping** are paid: **Paid with the balance** or **Paid with the deposit**. See [Deposits at checkout](deposits-at-checkout).
6. Click **Save Changes**.

![WooCommerce → Depositline: the store-wide deposit, tax and shipping, the due date, saved cards, reminders and what happens when a balance is overdue.](https://storage.extendiment.com/media/592/screenshot-5.png)

> [!NOTE]
> Unticking **Take deposits at checkout** stops new deposits: customers pay in full. Balances already owed are still collected.

## Set a deposit on a product

1. Edit the product and open its **General** tab.
2. Choose the **Deposit**. **Store default (…)** follows the category or store-wide setting, and shows what that is.
3. Enter a **Deposit amount**, or leave it empty to use the default shown in the field.
4. Click **Update**.

![Deposit settings on a product's General tab: no deposit, optional or required, and the amount.](https://storage.extendiment.com/media/593/screenshot-4.png)

## Set a deposit on a variation

1. Edit the variable product and open its **Variations** tab.
2. Expand a variation. Under its price, choose the **Deposit** and the **Deposit amount**. **Same as the product** (or an empty amount) follows the product.
3. Click **Save changes**.

For example, a sofa can take a 30% deposit, with the made-to-order fabric variation set to **Deposit required** at 50%.

## Set a deposit on a product category

1. Go to **Products → Categories** and add or edit a category.
2. Choose the **Deposit** and the **Deposit amount**. They apply to products in this category without their own setting.
3. Click **Add new category** or **Update**.

When a product is in several categories with a deposit, the first one by name is used.

> [!TIP]
> The mode and the amount are looked up separately. A category can switch deposits on with an empty amount, and the store-wide amount still applies.

## What shoppers see on the product page

A product that takes a deposit says so above the **Add to cart** button: "Pay a 25% deposit now and the rest later." or "Pay a deposit of $50.00 per item now and the rest later.", followed by "You can also pay in full at checkout." when the deposit is optional. On a variable product, the line appears with the price once a variation is chosen.

## Related

- [Deposits at checkout](deposits-at-checkout)
- [Working with other plugins](working-with-other-plugins): Preorderline pre-orders never take a Depositline deposit.

Source: https://extendiment.com/plugins/depositline/docs/1.x/setting-up-deposits