How To Pay Vendors And Request Their Payment Details

Key takeaways

• Choose a vendor payment method that fits how your vendor wants to get paid and your cash flow.
• Request your vendor’s payment details in Melio to schedule a payment even without their bank info.
• Confirm each vendor’s details and schedule payments early to keep every payment on time.

How to pay vendors in five steps

Paying a vendor means sending a supplier the money you owe using a method you both agree on. Here is how to do it in five simple steps.

1. Confirm the invoice details and the amount you owe.
2. Collect your vendor’s payment details, or ask them to add their own.
3. Choose how you want to pay, such as a bank transfer or a check.
4. Schedule the payment for a date that fits your cash flow.
5. Send the payment and track it until your vendor gets paid.

Vendor payment methods to choose from

Vendors get paid in different ways, so it helps to know your main options before you send a payment.

• Bank transfer (ACH): a low-cost electronic payment sent straight to your vendor’s bank account.
• Paper check: a printed check mailed to your vendor, useful when they prefer checks.
• Credit or debit card: a way to pay that can help you manage cash flow, even when a vendor does not accept cards.

The right choice depends on how your vendor wants to get paid and how you want to manage your money.

How to request your vendor’s payment details

Send a secure request and let your vendor add their own details. Here is how it works.

1. Start scheduling a payment for a new or existing bill.
2. When asked how you would like your vendor to receive the payment, select “Ask vendor for payment details”.
3. Add your vendor’s email, then click submit and continue.
4. Keep scheduling your payment as usual.
5. Melio sends a secure form asking for your vendor’s payment details and how they want to get paid, by paper check or bank transfer (ACH).
6. Once your vendor fills in the details, Melio schedules the payment for the date you chose and updates you with the estimated delivery.

What your vendor sees

Your vendor receives an email that includes the invoice number, payment amount, and your details.

Once they click the link in the email, your vendor can choose how they want to get paid, by paper check or bank deposit, and enter the details of where to send or deposit the payment.

Best practices for paying vendors

A few simple habits keep vendor payments smooth and on time.

• Confirm each vendor’s details before you pay to avoid failed or misdirected payments.
• Schedule payments early so they arrive by the due date.
• Keep a clear record of every payment for easy tracking and reconciliation.
• Pay digitally when you can to cut down on manual work and lost checks.

Get started paying vendors with Melio

Skip the back and forth over bank details and keep your payments on time. With Melio, you can request your vendor’s payment details, choose how you pay, and schedule everything in one place. Sign up for Melio to pay your vendors your way.

How to pay vendors FAQs