This guide explains the difference and shows you how to send an Invoice (payment link) to a bidder.
What is a Settlement?
A Settlement is the official record of what a bidder purchased in your auction.
It includes:
All items won by the bidder
Applicable taxes and fees
The total amount due
Key things to know:
A Settlement is created for every bidder, whether or not they have paid.
Once payment is received, the Settlement also serves as the receipt.
In short: The Settlement is the bidder’s invoice/statement of purchases.
What is an Invoice (Payment Link)?
An Invoice in Auction Flex 360 is a secure self-pay link you can send to a bidder.
It allows the bidder to pay their outstanding balance online.
Key things to know:
The Invoice is not the Settlement itself.
The balance on the Invoice always matches the balance shown on the Settlement.
Invoices are optional—you only send them if you want the bidder to pay through the online portal.
In short: The Invoice is the tool bidders use to pay their Settlement.
When to Use Each
Settlement
Use this to review, print, or email the bidder’s statement or receipt.Invoice (Payment Link)
Use this when you want to give the bidder the ability to pay online directly.
How to Send an Invoice (Payment Link)
Open the bidder’s Settlement in Auction Flex 360.
Confirm the balance due.
On the left menu, select Email Invoice/Settlement to.
The bidder will receive an email with a secure payment link.
Invoice Status Tracking
Auction Flex 360 automatically tracks the status of each Invoice:
Pending – Sent but not yet opened by the bidder
Viewed – The bidder opened the Invoice link
Paid – The bidder submitted payment (the Settlement updates automatically to show payment received)
Quick Reference
Settlement = The bidder’s official invoice/statement (exists for every bidder)
Invoice = A payment link (optional, only sent if you want bidders to self-pay