Payment overview
CampusBite implements a direct store UPI payment model:- No payment gateway: Payments go directly to the store’s UPI account
- Zero platform fees: No extra charges or commissions
- Instant confirmation: Orders are created immediately after you confirm payment
- Store verification: Stores verify payment in their UPI app before accepting orders
This direct payment model keeps costs low for both students and stores. The store receives 100% of the order amount.
Payment flow
Here’s exactly what happens when you place an order:1. Checkout session creation
Request payment session
When you click “Continue to Payment”, the system:
- Validates your cart items and store availability
- Checks your ordering eligibility and trust tier
- Generates a unique payment reference code
- Creates a time-limited checkout token (expires in 15 minutes)
2. Make payment
You have several options to complete payment: Option A: Scan QR code (recommended) Scanning the QR code automatically fills in:- Store UPI ID
- Exact payment amount
- Payment reference in the note field
- Copy the store UPI ID
- Open your UPI app
- Enter the UPI ID and amount
- Critical: Paste the payment reference in the note/remarks field
- Complete payment
3. Confirm payment
After completing UPI payment:Get transaction ID
Your UPI app displays a transaction ID (also called UTR or UPI reference number) after successful payment.
Submit confirmation
Return to CampusBite and:
- Optionally enter the transaction ID
- Click “I Paid Successfully”
Entering the transaction ID is optional but recommended. It helps the store verify your payment faster.
4. Store verification
After you submit your order:- The store sees your order with “Pending” payment status
- They check their UPI app for incoming payment
- They match the payment using the payment reference
- They click “Confirm Payment” in their dashboard
- Your order status changes to “Accepted”
Payment reference system
The payment reference is the key to linking your payment to your order.What is it?
A unique code generated for each order, formatted like:Why it’s important
- Identifies your payment: The store receives many payments daily. The reference tells them which order is yours.
- Prevents conflicts: Each order has a unique reference, eliminating confusion
- Enables verification: Stores can search their UPI transaction history by reference
- Required for support: If there’s a payment dispute, the reference is needed
How to use it
When scanning QR code: The reference is automatically included When paying manually:- Copy the payment reference shown on screen
- Paste it in your UPI app’s note/remarks field
- Complete the payment
If you forget to include the payment reference, you can still provide the transaction ID to help the store find your payment.
Transaction ID
The UPI transaction ID is an additional identifier for your payment.What is it?
A unique code generated by the UPI system for each transaction, typically:- 8-40 alphanumeric characters
- Also called UTR (Unique Transaction Reference) or UPI Reference Number
- Appears in your UPI app after successful payment
How to find it
In most UPI apps: Google Pay- Open transaction history
- Find your payment
- Tap to view details
- Look for “UPI transaction ID” or “UTR”
- Go to “History”
- Select your payment
- Tap “Transaction details”
- Copy the “Transaction ID”
- Open “Passbook”
- Find your payment
- Tap for details
- Look for “Transaction ID” or “UTR”
When to use it
Providing the transaction ID helps:- Faster verification: Stores can instantly verify payment in their UPI app
- Payment disputes: Essential if there’s confusion about payment status
- Support requests: Needed to track down missing or stuck payments
Payment security
CampusBite implements multiple security measures:Checkout token expiration
- Payment sessions expire after 15 minutes
- Prevents stale prices if menu items change
- Checkout token is single-use only
Amount verification
- The system verifies the cart total matches the checkout session
- If items or prices change during checkout, you’re prompted to restart
- Prevents paying incorrect amounts
Duplicate prevention
- Each payment reference can only create one order
- Transaction IDs cannot be reused across orders
- Prevents double-charging and duplicate orders
Store verification requirement
- Orders remain “Pending” until stores confirm payment
- Stores check their actual UPI receipts
- No automated payment assumption
CampusBite never touches your payment directly. Money flows from your UPI app to the store’s UPI account. We only facilitate matching orders to payments.
Payment statuses
Understanding payment statuses helps you track your order:Pending
Payment submitted by you but not yet verified by the store. This is normal and usually resolves within minutes.
Success
Store confirmed receiving your payment. Your order will now be prepared.
Failed
Payment was not received by the store. Your order is automatically cancelled.
Status transitions
- Pending → Success: Store verifies payment received
- Pending → Failed: Store doesn’t receive payment or marks it as failed
- Pending → Failed (auto): After 8 minutes with no verification, orders auto-cancel
Handling payment issues
Payment timeout
Orders with pending payment are automatically cancelled after 8 minutes to prevent stores from preparing unverified orders. If your payment times out:- Check if money was deducted from your account
- If deducted: Contact store or support with your transaction ID
- If not deducted: Your payment failed before completion, no action needed
- The cancelled order will show in your order history
Payment failed but money deducted
If you paid but the store didn’t receive it:Check transaction status
Open your UPI app and verify the transaction shows as “Success” (not “Pending” or “Failed”)
Verify payment details
Confirm you sent payment to:
- Correct UPI ID
- Correct amount
- With the payment reference
Contact the store
Share:
- Your order number
- Payment reference
- Transaction ID
- Screenshot of UPI payment confirmation
UPI payments that don’t reach the recipient are automatically refunded by banks within 24-48 hours. Check with your bank if longer.
Payment confirmed but order cancelled
This can happen if:- Your order timed out before store verification
- Store cancelled the order for other reasons (out of stock, closed, etc.)
- The store can issue a refund through their UPI app
- Or the order may be manually confirmed if still valid
- Contact store with your transaction details
Wrong amount paid
If you accidentally paid: More than required- Contact the store immediately
- Provide transaction details
- Request refund of the excess amount
- Order will likely be cancelled by store
- You may need to place a new order
- Or pay the remaining amount if store agrees
Payment best practices
For smooth transactions
- Use QR code when possible: It’s the most reliable method and includes all necessary details
- Include payment reference: Critical for manual transfers
- Copy transaction ID: Keep it handy for faster verification
- Pay the exact amount: Don’t round up or add tips (store won’t know how to match it)
- Complete within 15 minutes: Checkout sessions expire to ensure accurate pricing
- Wait for confirmation: Don’t close the app until you see the order success screen
Before paying
- Verify the store name in UPI matches what you expect
- Check the amount matches your cart total
- Ensure you have sufficient balance
- Have a stable internet connection
After paying
- Screenshot the UPI payment confirmation
- Enter the transaction ID in CampusBite (optional but helpful)
- Click “I Paid Successfully” to submit your order
- Save your order number and payment reference
- Monitor your order status on the tracking page
Payment support
If you need help with payments:Information to provide
- Order number: Found on order confirmation and tracking page
- Payment reference: The CBPAY code from checkout
- Transaction ID: From your UPI app (if available)
- Store name: Which outlet you ordered from
- Amount paid: The total you sent
- Screenshots: UPI payment confirmation and any error messages
When to contact support
- Payment deducted but order not created after 5 minutes
- Order cancelled but payment was successful
- Store can’t find your payment despite correct details
- Refund not received after 3 business days
Most payment issues are resolved by sharing your transaction ID with the store. They can verify it directly in their UPI app.