How to pre-charge customers?

[elizabeth]

Suppose you are in the business of shopping for clients. You buy and they reimburse you upon delivery.

Obviously, when a client wants something that is both non-refundable and rather expensive, you'd want your client to pre-pay. Firstly, because you don't have enough cash flow to pay for it yourself and second, because you can't refund it if you client changes their mind.

In that case, how can you get your customer to pre-pay? I can't figure out a solution.

The only thing I can think of is driving to their homes, getting them to pay and then go shopping, then deliver. But that involves an extra trip, extra expenses and seems illogical. Another way would be to set up a website but how would that website even look? And what about the elderly who aren't computer savvy but still want to use my services?

I guess they can also call-in with their credit card information? But what use would that do for me? I can't use credit money to shop and I'd need them to enter their pin.

Anyone see an easy solution?

THank you!