Sometimes you can't ship the product right away (special orders, back orders etc).

V/MC/AE all have rules about how long you can keep the charge before shipping product. So if it's two weeks out to ship it, you "auth" only, and capture when you are able to ship.

This is only one example, there are many others as well.

If you have a large ticket item that could be delivered at a later date, you could run the CC just prior to delivery say a month in advance.

We provide Skating Instruction to Hockey players of pretty much all ages. Our clinics range in price from $170 to $499.

Lets say you got 2 High School kids playing at a very high level and you want to reserve a spot for them at our June Workshop ($499 each). But your still paying this years hockey bill. We could set it up so they could register now and pay for it closer to the Workshop, say a month in advance.

Lets say you custom build high end computers. You may have some on the shelf but may need to order parts for some others. As the orders become available for shipment, you can process the credit cards. If it take 2 months to fill some of the orders your customers might get a little concerned if you have been sitting on all of their money that long with out delivering. Especially from an internet order.

BV will allow you to authorize the CC at check out and take partial payment or full payment at the end of the day and the balance later depending on the situation and your company policies.

Bob Noble