Approved customers and rental account applications

Use Approved customers only when a rental needs a vetted account first, for example a licence check for vehicles or a signed card authorization for high-value equipment. Everyone can still see rental prices, durations and the calendar. Only logged-in customers whose Shopify customer record has your approval tag can book. Products that aren’t rentals stay available to everyone.

Turn it on

Open Settings → Approved customers only.
Check Only approved customers can book rentals.
Enter the Required customer tag, for example Rental Account Approved. Use a single tag without commas. Matching ignores upper and lower case.
Optional: write a Message for customers who can’t book.
Optional: set Apply for an account link. It is shown next to the Log in button. Leave it empty to use the built-in application page at /apps/rental/account. A custom link must start with https:// or /.
Under Application documents, choose which documents an application needs: driver’s licence, insurance certificate and/or credit card authorization form. At least one is required.
If you require the card authorization form, upload a blank form in Shopify Content → Files and paste its link in Blank credit card authorization form (link). Customers download it, fill it in and upload it.
Optional: enter an address in Email me about new applications.
Select Save.

To approve a customer without an application, add the tag to the customer in Shopify admin.

Block checkouts that skip the calendar

The rental calendar replaces its booking button with your message and a Log in link, and Rentshelf refuses reservations from customers without the tag. A shopper could still try to reach checkout another way. To block that:

In Shopify admin, open Settings → Checkout and turn on the Rentshelf checkout rule (Rentshelf verified rental checkout).
Return to Settings → Approved customers only and select Save again.

If the rule is not active yet, the save message reminds you to turn it on. Orders that still arrive from customers without the tag are kept and marked on the booking page so you can review them.

Bookings you create in Rentshelf or through the API aren’t affected by the approval rule.

How customers apply

Customers apply at /apps/rental/account on your store (or your custom link):

The customer logs in or creates a customer account.
They upload the required documents. Each file can be a PDF, JPG, PNG or HEIC file up to 10 MB. Files are private to the store.
They select Submit application. The application moves to Pending review.

After a rejection or a revoked approval, the customer can upload new documents and submit again.

Review applications

Open Settings → Approved customers only and select Review applications to see the Customer approvals list.
Open an application to see the customer and the uploaded documents.
Choose Approve, Reject or, for an approved customer, Revoke approval. A rejection needs a Note to customer so they know what to fix. When rejecting an approved customer you can also remove the tag.

Approving adds your tag to the Shopify customer; revoking removes it. The customer gets an email when an application is approved or rejected.

Grant customer access (write_customers)

Adding or removing the tag needs Shopify’s write_customers permission. If Rentshelf doesn’t have it yet, the application page shows Permission needed to tag customers. Select Grant customer access and approve the request in Shopify.

Document retention

Documents are private. They are deleted 3 years after the last upload or review, or when Shopify sends a customer or shop data erasure request.

Test the flow

In a private window, open a rental product while logged out: the calendar should show your message and Log in instead of booking.
Log in as a test customer without the tag, apply with test documents, then approve the application in Rentshelf.
Confirm the customer now has the tag in Shopify and can reserve and check out.