4 minutes Referring Customers
Overview
After referring a business to SAPI, you can track their application progress through various stages. This guide explains each status, timelines, and what actions are happening at each stage.
Application Stages
Stage 1: Pending Contact
Status: Referral received, business not yet contacted
Duration: 0-24 hours
What's happening:
SAPI's team reviews referral and prepares to contact the business.
Partner action: None—wait for SAPI to make first contact
Stage 2: Contact Made
Status: SAPI contacted business, awaiting application submission
Duration: 1-3 days (depends on business responsiveness)
What's happening:
- SAPI calls/emails the business
- Explains payment-linked financing
- Invites them to complete online application
- Sends application link
Partner action: If business doesn't respond to SAPI, you can encourage them to check email (including spam folder) and complete application
Stage 3: Application Submitted
Status: Business completed online application
Duration: Application form (10-15 minutes for business to complete)
What's happening:
- Business provides company details, director info, financing requirements
- Connects payment processor via Open Banking
- Uploads required documents
Partner action: None—application is now in SAPI's underwriting queue
Stage 4: Under Review
Status: SAPI's underwriting team assessing application
Duration: 24-48 hours (business days)
What's happening:
- Credit checks
- Payment processing history analysis
- Financial assessment
- Document verification
- Eligibility and affordability review
Partner action: None—underwriting is happening. Avoid contacting business repeatedly to "check status" (creates pressure and poor experience)
Stage 5: Decision Made
Status: Approved or Declined
Duration: Instant (once review complete)
What happens:
If Approved:
- Business receives offer email (advance amount, factor rate, repayment %)
- Offer valid for 7 days
- Business reviews and decides
If Declined:
- Business receives decline email with general reason
- No funding proceeds
- No commission earned
Partner notification:
Email alert with decision outcome
Stage 6: Offer Accepted
Status: Business accepted SAPI's offer
Duration: 0-7 days (business has 7 days to accept or decline offer)
What's happening:
- Business signs agreement via DocuSign
- Sets up Direct Debit with GoCardless
- SAPI prepares to fund
Partner action: None—wait for funding confirmation
Stage 7: Funded
Status: Business received funds into their bank account
Duration: 1-2 business days after offer accepted
What's happening:
- SAPI transfers advance amount to business
- Direct Debit collections begin next day
- Account is now active
Partner action: Commission earned! You'll receive commission payment 30 days after this funding date.
Alternative Outcomes
Declined:
Application didn't meet SAPI's criteria. No commission earned.
Abandoned:
Business started application but didn't complete or didn't respond to SAPI. Marked abandoned after 14 days of no response.
Offer Declined:
Business was approved but chose not to accept the offer (rate too high, changed mind, found alternative).
Timeline Summary
Stage | Typical Duration | Cumulative Time |
Pending Contact | 0-24 hours | Day 1 |
Contact Made | 1-3 days | Days 1-3 |
Application Submitted | Instant | Day 3 |
Under Review | 1-2 days | Days 3-5 |
Decision Made | Instant | Day 5 |
Offer Accepted | 0-7 days | Days 5-12 |
Funded | 1-2 days | Days 6-14 |
Total time: 6-14 days from referral to funding (if business is responsive and approved)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I contact the business while their application is under review?
A: Yes, but avoid pressuring them or asking for updates every day. Let SAPI's process work. One check-in is fine: "Have you heard from SAPI? Let me know if you have questions."
Q: What if the business is approved but declines the offer?
A: Common reasons: Rate too high, found alternative, changed their mind. No commission earned. Ask for feedback—helps you understand customer expectations for future referrals.
Q: Can I see the offer SAPI makes to the business?
A: Not typically (confidential to the business). However, if the business shares their offer with you for advice, you can discuss. Don't pressure them to share.
Q: What if a referral is stuck in one stage for too long?
A: Contact your partner success manager or [email protected]. We can check what's causing the delay (usually: business not responding, missing documents).
Q: When exactly is my commission triggered—at offer accepted or at funded?
A: At funded. Commission calculated and paid 30 days after funds are transferred to the business.
Q: Can a declined business reapply later?
A: Yes. If their circumstances improve (higher sales, resolved credit issues), they can reapply after 3-6 months. You can re-refer and earn commission if approved the second time.
Need Help?
Referral status: Check partner portal or [email protected]
Delayed applications: [email protected]
Commission questions: [email protected]
Need Help?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 20 3868 4990
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm GMT