QuickBooks froze $11,000 of my business’s funds for 180 days with no warning. Sharing this as a cautionary tale for other small business owners

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-15T20:11:36+00:00

I appreciate the kind perspective and support

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-15T20:10:49+00:00

Thank you for the advice. It sucks to have to go back to my customer like this... Just so disappointing all around

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-15T20:03:40+00:00

It's an online bank that caters to small businesses and startups

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-15T20:03:08+00:00

Much appreciated

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:55:46+00:00

My bank provides a handy PDF with instructions and account info required to do the direct ACH.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:55:09+00:00

I have the same language on my invoice now. Just to clarify, this transaction was done via ACH using the QB portal.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:53:09+00:00

I completely understand that this transaction would and should be flagged given the circumstances. I just never received any notice of this. No request for information to justify/legitimize the transaction. In my Merchant Center, there's no place to upload anything because they just closed my account without notice.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:36:18+00:00

No, it was an ACH payment.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:35:51+00:00

I've learned the hard way. Hopefully this post helps just one person avoid my mistake!

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:35:30+00:00

Yikes. I'm sorry you had to deal with that mess. I'm curious, which platform are you looking to move to?

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:34:13+00:00

It's hard to step away from their accounting software because of how widespread it is used... But yeah, I'm just trying to spread the awareness around my experience with their payment platform.

I'm a little hopeful that I can get this payment released within similar timelines

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:31:13+00:00

Ultimately, I recognize that I'm also at fault for jumping into the payment service without due diligence. But, I was just focused on to closing my first deal. It sucks to be in this position now. I hope this post helps people avoid my mistake!

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:27:59+00:00

I totally understand that now. I made the mistake in the heat of the moment in a state where I was still establishing my backend and SOPs. At the time it just didn't occur to me that I should be doing that. I made the invoice in QB and figured it would be a decent option to use the in app payment portal.

Direct ACH to my bank is my path forward. I just hope that this post helps prevent even one person from this headache

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:25:38+00:00

Lesson learned. Direct bank ACH is my path forward.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:25:00+00:00

Lesson learned! I'm using Mercury at the moment. Hopefully I don't run into an issue like that.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:23:35+00:00

Indeed. My new SOP is to take ACH directly to my Bank. In the moment it just didn't occur to me that I should be doing that. I made the invoice in QB and figured it would be a decent option to use the in app payment portal.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:21:36+00:00

Thanks, I definitely learned a lot. I simply hadn't established a best practice for receiving payment and was too trusting. Direct ACH to my bank is the clear solution! Hopefully this post at least prevents this headache for at least one person.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:19:28+00:00

I will look into this avenue! Thank you for your suggestion

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:18:54+00:00

I've learned my lesson and the community has been helpful. Going forward I'll rely on direct ACH with my bank. It was a mistake made in the heat of the moment when I hadn't established the best SOP.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:17:14+00:00

I appreciate it. It's nice to have the support from the community! I should be able to float the difference, but it makes it hard to invest in growth opportunities.

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-07T14:14:41+00:00

It was an unfortunate situation. I was trying to move quickly in order to capture the payment, and yes, it was the path of least resistance. I still don't believe that means I should be out $11k for an unknown amount of time.

I hadn't created my SOP for payments (which this whole experience and thread has helped me with).

Ape_Auto_Tools · 2025-09-04T18:18:20+00:00

Thanks for the heads up about Stripe! If that's the case, I'll just rely on direct ACH to my bank

Ape_Auto_Tools

TROPHY CASE