Invoices - Allow temporary client invoices without creating permanent contacts
In working with a client who uses Xero as their invoicing system, we’ve identified a practical workflow gap that may affect many small manufacturers and custom-service businesses.
The business does not operate a traditional point-of-sale system. Instead, they produce custom, made-to-order items such as signage and magnets for walk-in customers.
These transactions typically involve:
once-off customers
minimal customer details
immediate payment on collection
no expectation of repeat business
The business must provide proof of payment at handover while maintaining proper accounting records.
With increasing compliance expectations and the move toward e-invoicing, a streamlined method to issue a once-off invoice or receipt tailored to ad-hoc customers would be highly beneficial.
Suggested functionality:
Generate a compliant invoice/receipt without creating a permanent customer record
Allow classification such as “Walk-in Customer” or “Cash Sale”
Automatically reflect payment received on the document
Produce a clear proof-of-payment document suitable for audit and future e-invoicing requirements
This capability would support small custom manufacturers and service providers who operate outside traditional POS environments while maintaining compliance and efficient recordkeeping
Anzelle Boshoff
shared this idea
Thanks for sharing this suggestion, Anzelle. For businesses handling walk-ins or one-off custom work, creating a new contact for each interaction can add extra records to manage. A way to generate temporary or single-use invoices without saving a permanent contact could help support simpler record keeping while still allowing proof of payment.
We’ve moved this to Gaining Support so interest can be tracked and shared with our product teams for review alongside other workflow improvements.
