Huge order in LIMBO "payment processing" Inventory in held in limbo?

[Beadboat1]

Hi, I got a pretty large order and it's in limbo with "payment processing" for over a day. Does this mean that the inventory is in limbo and other customers are not able to purchase? What if the order does not go through? This doesn't seem fair. Why is "payment processing" allowed to last so long?

[Suniq · Accepted solution]

Most orders are processed in 72 hours. If there is only one of the item (sold out) other customers aren't able to purchase.

[PlatypusDream · Accepted solution]

This is Etsy's way of protecting you from fraud and stolen credit cards.

You don't want those orders to go through, only for that payment to be clawed back later.

Patience...

[KanjaniCraft · Accepted solution]

Ok this is the first time I have seen a post from someone with over 2 million sales!! 

mind boggling number - wow! I hope your sale comes through soon

[CraftyCornishMaids]

maybe it's the trademarked Swiftie, and etsy is investigating

[SugarTaffySoap]

@Beadboat1  A little off topic but a reminder it's a federal holiday Monday. No shipping, no mail. The funds won't transfer to your bank account on Monday.

[PristinityJewelry]

Is the item showing as sold out?  Perhaps if you can edit the listing, and make the "quantity available" greater than the amount ordered (in limbo), it would then show as available for purchase again?

[dayspringcollectible]

Payment processing means the card processor is having problems confirming the payment method is sound.  That could mean a number of things such as over-limit, or expired, but usually means the card is suspected as stolen.  They will make sure it is a good card before allowing the sale to go through...which is just what you want so you don't lose any money.

The short time that it is processing, even if it takes a couple of days, is no big deal as far as inventory not being visible.  As soon as the payment status is confirmed, you'll either have a sale or the inventory will be back in your store.

[BagmakerSupply]

@Beadboat1: In very simple terms, there are two points where an order may be 'cancelled'. The first is before the order is even accepted - usually an invalid card number or expiration date, insufficient funds, bad security code, etc. You could be having hundreds of those every day and would not even know it. The second is after the order has been accepted but has not yet been fully approved by the payment processor - generally flagged by the payment processor's fraud detection algorithm and showing to you as 'payment pending'. Obviously we do not know the exact algorithm in place, but the size of the order versus the buyer's previous purchase history, etc can be a factor. If the shop is checked and trademarked items (without any licensing information) are found that can also be a factor in the payment processor's decision.

[ChestnuttVintage]

This is interesting as a vintage seller - my items are one of a kind.  I hadn't thought about this before - but when I get one of these "payment processing" things this must mean the items aren't available for other buyers.  Sometimes the payments go through and the order completes, and sometimes they don't - but it can take up to 48 hours for it to be resolved, and meanwhile nobody else can buy.  

I suppose there's nothing much can be done about this - apart from maybe speed up the process?  Why does Etsy need to sometimes take so long to reject, or not, the payment?

[CarpetCollectionAU]

@ChestnuttVintage " Why does Etsy need to sometimes take so long to reject, or not, the payment?"

It is not Etsy which accepts / rejects the payment. The Third Party Payment Processor (Pay Pal etc) is the one checking the payment. Sometimes, the Third Party Processor needs to actually contact the Buyer to confirm that it was their order made with their approval. Most Banks do the same thing. Just last week I had a very large Sale (1000's) and Pay Pal contacted the Buyer to check the order had his approval. Due to the amount involved I advised the Buyer that this may happen. He looked out for the email from Pay Pal and approved. The payment cleared in under 24 hours.