The RapidLance Account is available to all users on RapidLance. Buyers can use their RapidLance Account to send payments to service providers. Service providers can use their RapidLance Account to receive payment from buyers or pay transaction fees and subscription fees.  This account is created automatically when you register.

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

Always add a contract, including payment methods and terms on your private message board for any project/ bid you have accepted.  For example, please use your private message board to ask if your service provider can accept PayPal payments.  For sample contracts, please click on the "Resources" tab at the top of "My RapidLance."

Paying by credit card
Payments using my PayPal account
Depositing Funds by check, ACH or wire transfer
Withdrawing Funds

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

How can I use my credit card on RapidLance?
Service providers can use a credit card to pay transaction or subscription fees. Buyers can use a credit card to send payment to their RapidLance Service Provider. When a credit card is used to send payments to Service Providers, it must be authenicated. Authentication is not required when the credit card is used only to directly pay subscription fees, transaction fees, posting deposits or bid fees.

How do I pay Service Providers by credit or debit card?
Users in Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Germany, Guam, India, Ireland, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, U.K. (including Scotland and Wales), U.S., or the Virgin Islands (U.S. or British), can use a credit or debit card to pay service providers. In order to do so, you must first authenticate your credit card by following the steps below. This must be done for security purposes and is required only once per credit card.

Why do I need to authenticate my credit card?
Authentication is not something most people commonly encounter using their credit cards on the internet.  For your security and protection, we take the extra authentication step because our system is transferring funds between two parties. Authenication protects all parties against fraud.

Note: When you post a project or subscribe with a credit card, this does NOT require authentication. 

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

Authenticating a new credit card:

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

Complete the authentication process:
If you clicked "yes, I want to authenticate my credit card" during the post project process, follow these directions.

1. Go to your RapidLance Account page and there should be a "Confirm Authentication" link next to your credit card. Click that link. Note: If that link is not there, you have not begun the authentication process. Scroll up to the help section called "Authenticate a New credit card"
2. Your card will have been charged two separate amounts, each less than $2.00. THIS IS NOT A FEE. Once your card is authenticated, these amounts will be credited to your credit card.
3. Contact the bank that issues your card. Ask for the two amounts of less than $2.00 each that RapidLance has billed your card.  If outside the US, ask for the two amounts in US dollars. Save these numbers; you will need to enter them on the RapidLance site.
4. Enter the amounts you were given from the bank that issues your card. Your card will now be authenticated and ready to be used on RapidLance.
   
   

   IMPORTANT: You have 40 days to complete the authentication process. Otherwise, you will need to begin the process anew. NOTE: For credit or debit card payments of $1000 or less, funds will be processed immediately. For payments over $1000, allow 3 business days for processing and/or payment.
   

   For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

   Refund

   If you are a service provider, and you were paid by your buyer using the RapidLance Payment System, and would like to refund payment to your buyer, click on the 'Customer Service' tab above to send an email form to Customer Service. Specify the amount (you must have that in your RapidLance Account available balance), the project name, your username, and your buyer's username for our Billing and Payment group to transfer funds from your RapidLance Account.

   If you are a buyer, you must negotiate your refund request directly with your service provider on the private message board.  RapidLance does NOT hold payments made to service providers through the RapidLance Payment system in escrow.  Those funds are owned by the service provider once you authorize payment to them online.

   
   What happens if I delete an authenticated credit card?
   If you delete your only authenticated credit card, you will have to enter a new credit card and authenticate your card before you can send payments to service providers via credit or debit card.

1. Go to your Buying Activity page
2. Click on the payment icon
3. Enter the amount you intend to pay, then from the drop down menu select Paypal as your Payment Method
4. When you click to continue, you will be taken to the PayPal website to make the payment. If you have a PayPal account, your email address from that account may prepopulate on that initial PayPal/RapidLance screen, as Paypal will read the cookie information from any prior use.
5. After the payment has been submitted, you MUST click on the link labeled "Click here to continue" to come back to the RapidLance website
6. The confirmation page at RapidLance will confirm the payment has been completed.

Note: Paypal payments are not processed through RapidLance. As such, they are considered 'offline payments' and are not reported in your Transaction History. To view the PayPal payment, click on the invoice icon and scroll to the bottom of the invoice to "Offline Payment Details". Beneath the Payment Method column you will see PAYPAL as the payment method.

Please use your private message board to ask if your service provider can accept PayPal payments.

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

I am outside the U.S. How can I fund my Account with a check?
Your check MUST be in USD and drawn on a bank physically located within the United States. Most banks 'correspond' with each other. Request from your bank to have one of their U.S. correspondent banks issue the check on you behalf.

Can I fund my Account in a currency other than USD?
RapidLance will not accept checks unless they are in USD and drawn on a bank physically located within the United States.

RapidLance can accept wire transfers in any currency. Funds sent in other currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars upon receipt. RapidLance does not take responsibility for normal currency fluctuations that may occur during the transfer of funds. Transfers will be processed according to the relevant exchange rate on the day funds are received by RapidLance. In order to get the best exchange rate, notify your bank that the funds are going to a U.S. account.

Paying Transaction Fees or Sending Payment to Others
Paying Subscription Fees

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

RapidLance charges an 8.75% Transaction Fee to the service provider when they accept a project.  For more information on when and why transaction fees are charge, please find "RapidLance Transaction Fees" in the Help Index.

To Pay Transaction Fees

1. Go to your Account page.
2. In the Scheduled Transaction section of your account page, any transaction fees you can currently pay will be list.  (Note: The due date is displayed next to each.  Past due transaction fees will have "OVERDUE" under the due date.)
3. Click "Pay Now".
4. Choose the method of payment. You can only pay the transaction fee in full.
5. Click "Submit" to make the payment. 

By Wire or ACH Transfer

1. Contact your bank for specific information about arranging a wire transfer from your bank directly to RapidLance. In order to get the best exchange rate, notify your bank that the funds are going to a U.S. Dollar account.
   
   
2. Make transfer payable to RapidLance and include in the reference area, your Username and RapidLance Account Number. Your RapidLance account number is displayed at the top of the account page beginning with the letters "EL" and followed by a string of numbers.
   
   Note to Sellers: To pay a Subscription fee include the words "subscription payment". Failure to do so may result in your funds may be allocated to current or future transaction fees instead.
   
   
3. Make your wire transfer by providing your bank with the following information:
   

By Check

Important Note: If you are sending a check to fund your RapidLance Account, the check MUST be in USD and it must be drawn on a bank physically located within the United States.

On the check, include your Username and RapidLance Account Number. Your RapidLance account number is displayed at the top of the account page beginning with the letters "EL" and followed by a string of numbers.

Note to Sellers: To pay a Subscription fee include the words "subscription payment" to step #2. Failure to do so may result in your funds may be allocated to current or future transaction fees instead.

Mail check to:

RapidLance
34 Herons Watch Way #5311
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Make check payable to: "RapidLance, Inc."

Your check will be posted to your account as soon as possible, but time elapsed may vary depending on your location. International users — note that funding your account by wire transfer is substantially faster than mailing a check.

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

By Wire or ACH Transfer

1. Contact your bank for specific information about arranging a wire transfer from your bank directly to RapidLance. In order to get the best exchange rate, notify your bank that the funds are going to a U.S. account.
   
   
2. Make transfer payable to RapidLance and include in the reference area, your Username, RapidLance Account Number and the words "subscription payment". Your RapidLance account number is displayed at the top of the account page beginning with the letters "EL" and followed by a string of numbers.
   
   Note: If "subscription payment" is not specified your funds will be used to pay transaction fees instead.
   
   
3. Make your wire transfer by providing your bank with the following information:
   

RapidLance
3317 Collections Center Drive
Chicago, IL 60693

As a U.S. service provider you can receive payments from buyers anywhere in the world, and withdraw payments sent to your RapidLance Account via ACH Transfer or check. Note: Canadian users can withdraw via check and Wire Transfer.

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

1. ­Go to the My RapidLance Account page.
2. ­Click "Withdraw Funds" and the withdrawal method of ACH. 
3. ­Click "Submit" button at the bottom of the ACH Transfer confirmation page to make your withdrawal.

As an International service provider you can use Billing and Payment to receive payment to most countries. Once funds have been transferred to your RapidLance account you can only withdraw those funds by wire transfer. Note: Canadian users can withdraw via check and Wire Transfer.

Please note that if you have not yet paid the Transaction Fee it will be deducted automatically from your RapidLance account or from the payment sent by the buyer. More info.

Each RapidLance Account will be given one complimentary wire transfer withdrawal per calendar month (ie, one complimentary wire transfer withdrawal any day within the month of January, then one complimentary wire transfer withdrawal any day within the month of February, etc.).  Any additional wire transfer withdrawal will be charged a $10.00 processing fee, which will be deducted from your available balance in your RapidLance Account prior to any amount being wire transferred.  The $10.00 Wire Transfer Processing Fee will be displayed on your Transaction History as a seperate line item.

I am outside the U.S. How do I withdraw funds from my Account?
To make a withdrawal, go to your Account page. Click on the red 'Enter New Bank Account' button.  Enter your banking information.  Back on the Account page, click on the red 'Withdraw Funds' button.  Enter in your dollar amount, and in the pull-down menu, choose your bank account.  As a reminder, your intermediary and beneficiary banks may charge you a wire transfer fee.  Generally you should allow 10 days for a wire transfer to your bank, though some banks in some countries may take longer. Note: For certain countries, such as India and Pakistan, please allow 3 weeks before receiving a wire transfer.

Service providers in Canada also have the option of withdrawing funds by check denominated in US Dollars. For more information, please see Withdrawing by Check.

To make a wire transfer withdrawal

1. Go to your Account page.
2. Select 'Withdraw Funds' option, enter amount, choose bank account and submit.
   
   

You will be prompted to provide your wire transfer bank information the first time you authorize a wire transfer. You may have to contact your bank for information on authorizing a wire transfer to your bank (ie, provide SWIFT code if bank is outside the US; but if intermediary bank in in the US, provide their ABA number). Depending on your location, you may also need to enter intermediary bank information in order to process your wire transfer.  Please contact your local bank to be sure that all of this information is accurate so that your funds are transferred successfully.

Will the wire transfer fee be refunded if the wire transfer bounces back?

If you have entered in the incorrect banking information, RapidLance will not reverse the $10.00 Wire Transfer processing fee.  If it is an RapidLance system error, the fee will be reversed.

Why is the Wire Transfer processing fee $10.00?

The fee merely reflects the fees charged to RapidLance by the bank.

• Check your account balance and pending transactions.
• Fund your account to make future payments.
• Withdraw funds if you have a positive balance.
• Maintain a complete record of your past transactions and scheduled transactions.
• Enter and authenticate credit cards.
• Download transaction data to a CSV file (for upload into excel and accounting software).

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

If you have received a payment, and have a positive balance, you can withdraw funds from this page. The funds can be disbursed by check and ACH transfer to U.S users. International users have the option of receiving funds via wire transfer (see above).

Account Number and Balance
At the upper left of the Account page you will notice your RapidLance Account number (starting with "EL......"). If you make wire transfers to your account you will need to include this number. Your account balance shows both available and total funds. Like a bank account, payments may need to clear before they are available for withdrawal.

Enter Credit Card or Bank Information
Buyers in Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Germany, Guam, India, Ireland, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, U.K. (including Scotland and Wales), U.S., or the Virgin Islands (U.S. or British) can use a credit card to send payments to their Service Providers. Other international users can fund their RapidLance accounts by sending payment via wire or ACH transfer or USD checks drawn on a bank physically located in the United States.  They may then send service providers payments, pay transaction fess, or subscriptions fees with their RapidLance account.  The Enter New Credit Card or Bank Account links allow you to enter or edit a credit, debit or bank account.

Sellers in all locations can use a credit card to pay subscription, bid or transaction fees.  In these cases, authentication is not necessary.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options
You will see the Deposit and Withdrawal buttons. Your withdrawal options will be displayed from the drop-down menu labeled Withdrawal Method. Enter the amount, select a withdrawal method and click continue to process your transaction. Your Deposit button will provide instructions on the various deposit methods.

Depositing Funds
Withdrawing Funds

Transaction History
This displays a record of your past RapidLance transactions.

Scheduled Transactions
This displays all scheduled transactions — pending transaction fees, payments sent or received for example — even if they have not yet been processed.

Download Account Data
You can download your account data into a CSV file, which can then be uploaded into excel and some accounting software packages.

To download your account data:

• Click on the 'Download Account Data' links from your My Account page, or the Transaction History page.
• Select the dates between which you would like to download your account data.
• Click download and follow the prompts to save the data on your local disk.

Data downloaded will include the following for each transaction:

• Date of Payment
• Payment Description
• Amount of Payment
• Name of Project (as applicable)
• Name of Service Provider and/or Buyer (as applicable)
• Invoice Information

You will be able to download information for each month from the time you started on RapidLance. Check your accounting software for details on how to upload this information.

For Step-by-Step instructions, click on the "Account" link from your "My RapidLance" pages, then scroll down and click on "Take the Tour".

Always add a contract, including payment methods and terms on your private message board.  For sample contracts, please click on the "Resources" tab at the top of "My RapidLance."