Bulk change process
To kickstart the bulk change process, you will first need to create a GoCardless account and complete the verification process.
Payers (customers) in Canada need to complete a Pre-Authorised Debit (PAD) Agreement to authorise merchants to take payments from them via PAD, the local Direct Debit payment scheme.
When a merchant switches to GoCardless from another Direct Debit provider, we are required to transfer active payers’ PAD Agreements over to us from the previous provider.
This transfer process is known as a bulk change.
Important: Payments/subscriptions will not transfer over from your previous provider. You will need to set these up again after customers have been imported to your GoCardless dashboard.
The steps involved in the bulk change process are:
1. Let us know you’re ready to begin the bulk change process
When you’re ready to begin the bulk change process, please let us know by reaching out to our Support team. We will then provide you with a template notification email to use to inform your customer of the change in provider.
2. Notify your customers that you’re moving to a new Direct Debit provider
You will need to notify all customers, whose PAD Agreements you’ll be moving over to us, using the template notification we will have provided you with in response to Step 1. The notification must be completed in accordance with the agreed PAD notice period, which is 10 working days.
Please note: Under bank debit scheme requirements, you must notify your customers of the upcoming change to the processor of their payments. We will provide you with a notification template that includes the information you must include in the notice.
We recommend that you notify your customers using the same communication channel(s) as you use for other messages (e.g. newsletters, email, post, etc.) to ensure receipt.
3. Confirm in writing to GoCardless that you’ve notified your customers
You can email us via the original email thread, as per step 1, confirming that all customers have been notified. We would ask that you please include a copy of any notification emails and/or letters sent to your customers.
4. Upload your existing customers’ details into your GoCardless account
We’ll provide you with access to our bulk change import tool, and confirm (1) the deadline that you’ll need to complete the process by, and (2) the date that we’ll have created the new PAD Agreements for your customers in our system. You will need to download the csv import template, add in your customers’ details, and upload the csv into your GoCardless account.
5. GoCardless processes the new PAD Agreements
We’ll verify and approve the details that you’ve uploaded, and then create new PAD Agremeents for your customers on the date agreed in step 4. You’ll receive confirmation from us once this has been completed.
6. Cancel your customers’ previous PAD Agreements
You’ll need to ensure that your customers’ previous PAD Agreements are cancelled. If you’re moving to GoCardless from another Direct Debit provider, they will need to perform this action on your behalf. We recommend that this action is performed on the same date that the new PAD Agreements are created.
Client migration data requirements
| COLUMN | DATA | INFORMATION |
|---|---|---|
|
A, B, C |
Customer.given_name & customer.family_name OR customer.company_name |
Enter either customer given name + surname OR company name. |
|
D |
customer.email |
A valid email address is required for each customer so that they receive notifications from GoCardless about their payments. If you are planning to send your own notifications to your customers, please speak with your Account Executive. |
|
E |
customer.language |
This will determine the language of customer notifications. |
|
F |
bank_account.account_holder_name |
This is separate to the 'name' entry fields, since account holder name can differ from the individual (e.g., it could include a middle name) or company name. |
|
G |
bank_account.account_number |
7 digit account number. A CAD-enabled bank account must be used for CAD Debit payments. |
|
H |
bank_account.branch_code |
5-digit branch code. |
|
I |
bank_account.bank_code |
4-digit bank code. |
|
J |
customer.metadata.custom_reference |
(Optional) - Use this field to add a custom reference for your customer if required. This will be assigned to your customer within your dashboard and is a searchable field. |