Manual Billing Mode
Use manual billing mode in Lead Distro AI when buyer invoicing happens outside Stripe — custom invoice formats, accounting-system integration, or wire transfer payments.
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What is Manual Billing Mode?
Manual billing mode disables Lead Distro AI's automatic Stripe-based invoicing for a buyer. You handle invoicing externally — QuickBooks, NetSuite, wire transfers, custom invoicing software, paper invoices, whatever your buyer requires. Lead Distro AI still tracks accrued spend and delivery, but doesn't auto-generate invoices or charge cards.
When to Use Manual Billing
- Enterprise procurement — buyer requires invoices in their format (custom PO numbers, specific line-item structure, accounting codes)
- Wire transfer payments — buyer pays via wire, not card. No Stripe involvement needed.
- Custom contract terms — non-standard payment schedules or settlement mechanics that don't fit Lead Distro AI's preset modes
- Accounting integration — invoices flow from your QuickBooks/NetSuite/Xero rather than Stripe
- International buyers — currency or payment method not supported by your Stripe account
What Lead Distro AI Still Does
- Tracks delivered leads and accrued spend per buyer
- Enforces credit limits (delivery pauses when accrued spend hits the limit, regardless of billing mode)
- Generates a usage report at cycle end that you can use as the basis for your external invoice
- Marks invoices as paid in the dashboard when you mark them paid (manually)
What Lead Distro AI Does NOT Do (in Manual Mode)
- Generate Stripe invoices
- Charge cards on file
- Send invoice emails (you handle communication)
- Auto-reconcile payments (you mark paid manually)
Setting Up Manual Billing
- Open the buyer detail page.
- Set Payment Mode to Manual Billing.
- (Optional) Configure a usage-report email schedule — Lead Distro AI emails you the buyer's accrued spend at cycle end so you have the data ready for external invoicing.
- Save. Stripe invoicing is now disabled for this buyer; you own the billing flow externally.
After collecting payment externally, mark the buyer's accrued spend as paid in Lead Distro AI to keep the ledger accurate. Open the buyer's billing tab → click **Mark Payment Received** → enter amount and date. This resets the accrued-spend counter and ensures credit limit calculations stay correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use manual billing instead of Lead Distro AI's automatic invoicing?
Three common scenarios: (1) enterprise buyer requires invoices in their format with custom PO numbers and accounting codes; (2) buyer pays via wire transfer, not card — Stripe isn't involved; (3) accounting integration with QuickBooks/NetSuite/Xero where invoices originate from your accounting system, not Lead Distro AI. For standard agency-to-buyer relationships, automatic invoicing is faster and lower-friction.
Does manual billing disable credit limits?
No — credit limits still work in manual mode. Accrued spend is tracked the same way; delivery pauses when limit is hit regardless of billing mode. The only difference is how invoices are generated — manual mode skips Lead Distro AI's invoice generation but keeps the accrued-spend tracking and limit-enforcement layer.
How do I mark a manual-billing invoice as paid in Lead Distro AI?
Open the buyer's billing tab → Mark Payment Received → enter the amount and date. Lead Distro AI deducts the amount from accrued spend, resets the credit limit usage, and logs the payment. Use this to keep Lead Distro AI's internal ledger in sync with your external accounting system.
Can a buyer switch from automatic to manual billing mid-cycle?
Yes — change the payment mode any time. The switch takes effect immediately. In-flight automatic invoices (already generated) remain on Stripe and need to be paid through Stripe; new accrued spend after the switch is tracked for manual billing. Schedule the switch at end-of-cycle to avoid mixed-mode confusion.
Does manual billing affect the wallet?
Yes — manual billing typically replaces the wallet for that buyer. A buyer on Manual Billing usually isn't also on a prepaid wallet (the two models conflict). If you want a hybrid — say, a wallet for small one-off charges + manual billing for the main monthly invoice — open a support ticket; this requires per-buyer configuration that isn't standard.
Can I export the buyer's accrued-spend ledger for accounting?
Yes — the buyer's billing tab exports a CSV with every accrued lead, its revenue, the date, and a running balance. Use this as the source data for your external invoice or to import into QuickBooks / NetSuite. Match it against payments-received entries to reconcile the buyer's account.
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Plans & Trial
Manage your Lead Distro AI subscription, plans, overage pricing, payment methods, invoices, and billing history. Upgrade or downgrade plans at any time with volume-based pricing starting at $299/mo.
Net Terms
Bill Lead Distro AI buyers on Net 7, Net 15, or Net 30 terms instead of prepaid. Postpay credit limits, invoice generation, and FAQs for established client relationships.
Wallet & Top-Ups
Pre-fund Lead Distro AI buyer accounts with the wallet model. Top up via Stripe, configure auto top-up, handle payment failures, and FAQs.
If you have any questions, send us an email at support@leaddistro.ai