Why we use Square email invoicing
And why that means you pay 30% less than the next CBD brand over.
The honest version
We're a small family business. We sweated this decision for months before launching, and we revisit it every quarter. An extra step at checkout isn't ideal — we know.
Here's the math that keeps us doing it: standard credit-card processors classify CBD as "high-risk" — even though hemp-derived CBD has been federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill for the better part of a decade. The result is processing fees of 5% to 15% per transaction, three to six times what they charge a coffee shop or a clothing brand.
If we ate those fees, your bottle would cost more. Our 1500mg full-spectrum oil would be $95 instead of $65. We'd look like every other premium CBD brand — and you'd have no real reason to choose us over them.
Instead, we use Square email invoicing: the same Square that powers 4 million coffee shops, restaurants, and small businesses. You place your order, we email you a secure Square invoice, you pay with one click. Card data is handled by Square (PCI-compliant infrastructure) — we never see it.
The trade is fair: you spend ~30 extra seconds checking an email, and we pass back roughly 30% of what processor markup would have cost. Use code SQUARE at checkout — that 30% is what you save.
What happens when you order
- 1
You submit your order here
No card data captured. No charge yet.
- 2
We email you a Square invoice
Usually within 5 minutes. Review your order before paying.
- 3
You pay with one click
Secure Square checkout. We ship next business day.
What to look for in your inbox
The Square invoice arrives from [email protected] on behalf of botanCBD. Subject line will reference your order. If you don't see it within 30 minutes, check your spam folder first, then email [email protected] — one of the owners will resend it manually, usually within an hour during business hours.
Honestly: is it really worth the extra step?
That's your call to make. We think yes — a 30% discount on a product that's already competitively priced (compare us against Charlotte's Web) is a meaningful saving. And the email-invoice flow takes most customers under a minute end-to-end. It's how we afford to keep CBD oils accessible to people who need them, including our own family members who use them every day.
If frictionless one-click checkout matters more to you than the discount, we totally understand — plenty of CBD brands do exactly that, and they're fine. We'd rather be the brand that tells you the math and lets you decide.
— The Botamily · Cincinnati, OH
FAQ
Why doesn't botanCBD just take credit cards on the website like everyone else?
Standard merchant processors classify CBD as 'high risk' and charge CBD companies 5-15% in transaction fees, three to six times what a normal e-commerce store pays. We could pay those fees and pass the cost to you — most CBD brands do — or we can route payment through Square's email invoice flow, avoid the markup, and pass the savings back. We chose option two.
Is Square safe?
Square processes payments for over 4 million businesses including most coffee shops, restaurants, and small retailers you use every day. The invoice you receive is sent directly from Square ([email protected] on behalf of botanCBD) and the payment page is hosted on Square's PCI-compliant infrastructure. We never see, store, or handle your card data.
How do I get the 30% off?
Use code SQUARE at checkout (the discount code field is right next to the order summary). The discounted total appears on the Square invoice we email you. You don't need to do anything else — just click Pay in the email.
How long does the Square email take to arrive?
Usually within 5 minutes of submitting your order. If it doesn't arrive within 30 minutes, check your spam folder, then email [email protected] — we'll resend it manually.
Can I review my order before paying?
Yes — that's part of the appeal. The Square invoice shows your full order, shipping address, and total. If anything looks wrong, reply to the invoice and we'll fix it before charging anything.
What if I never want to receive the invoice?
Nothing happens. We don't charge anything until you click Pay in the Square email. Unpaid invoices auto-cancel after a few days. There's no risk in placing an order to see the final price with code SQUARE applied.
Will my order ship before I pay?
No. We ship the next business day after your Square invoice is paid.