1. Merchant Account Connection
Purpose
Enables the creditor to connect a merchant account for payment processing. YouNegotiate is payment-processor agnostic and does not process payments directly.How It Works
Option 1: Gateway Connection Supported gateways include:- Authorize.net
- USA ePay
- Stripe (limited relevance) User:
- Selects gateway
- Enters credentials
- Selects payment methods:
- ACH
- Credit Card System:
- Validates credentials
- Establishes connection
Option 2: Tilled Application User:
- Submits merchant application System:
- Sends application to Tilled
- Receives status:
- Approved
- Pending
- Declined
Result
- Merchant account connected
- Payment methods enabled
- Required setup step completed
- Settlement and payment plan processing enabled
Validation Rules
- Valid gateway credentials required
- Supported gateway OR approved Tilled application required
- At least one payment method selected
Developer Notes
- Support multiple gateway integrations
- Validate credentials securely
- Store tokens/references only
- Tilled workflow is asynchronous
- Status values:
- not_started
- pending
- completed
- Declined applications must reset setup state cleanly
2. Create Header Profiles
Purpose
Maps creditor billing-system data into the YouNegotiate import structure.How It Works
User:- Uploads CSV file
- Maps source fields
- Defines date format
- Saves profile System:
- Stores reusable mapping configuration
- Uses profile for manual and SFTP imports
Result
- Header profile created
- Standardized account imports enabled
Validation Rules
- At least one profile required
- Required fields must be mapped
- Date format required
- Valid CSV required
Developer Notes
- Support reusable mappings
- Validate mappings before processing
- Header Profile name must match SFTP folder name
- Birthdate mapping is critical for identity matching
3. Pay Term Offers
Purpose
Defines settlement and payment plan offers available to consumers.How It Works
System:- Applies master pay terms
- Applies optional sub-account overrides
- Generates offers during account delivery
Result
- Offers attached to accounts
- Consumers receive repayment options
Validation Rules
- Master pay terms required
- Values must be within valid ranges
- Settlement or payment plan configuration required
Important Business Rule
Delivered offer terms must be stored with the account at the time of offer delivery. Future changes to master, group, sub-account, or individual offer configurations must not modify previously delivered offers.Developer Notes
- Store delivered terms separately from active configuration
- Support master and sub-account overrides
- Store original and discounted balances
- Apply offer hierarchy dynamically
4. Terms & Conditions Templates
Purpose
Defines legal agreements used for settlements and payment plans.How It Works
User:- Creates master Terms & Conditions template
- Optionally creates sub-account overrides System:
- Applies terms to generated agreements
Result
- Agreements generated consistently
- Legal language tied to transactions
Validation Rules
- Master template required
Developer Notes
- Version all templates
- Support dynamic variables
- Maintain audit trail
- Store terms version with each executed agreement
5. About Us Profile
Purpose
Provides company information visible to consumers.How It Works
User:- Creates company profile
- Enters business information System:
- Displays profile within the consumer experience
Result
- Consumers see verified company information
- Improves trust and engagement
Validation Rules
- Required profile fields must be completed
Developer Notes
- Tie profile to verified KYB identity
- Cache content appropriately
- Content must be safe for consumer display
Setup Dependency Rules
The following setup steps are required before account import and standard portal workflows are enabled:- Merchant Account Connected
- At least one Header Profile exists
- Master Pay Terms configured
- Master Terms & Conditions Template created
- About Us Profile completed These requirements are hard prerequisites and must be enforced by the system.