Repeat buyer with no previous orders?

[TheInkyDeer]

Hi, I have an order with the repeat buyer star next to their name - however when clicking on Order history they have never placed an order with me before. Or at least it’s not displaying properly?

Obviously it’s not a major issue but a bit confusing- especially since I normally thank buyers for returning if I see the star. Anyone else encountered this before?

[CryzalisDesigns]

Have you checked your cancelled orders? this buyer could have purchased in the past and requested a cancellation or refund.

I had a customer who purchased an item but then the following day saw a different item he wanted more in my shop, so I refunded the first order and they placed the order for the other item. This customer had the star despite only purchasing 1

[TheInkyDeer]

Yeah I wondered that, but there are no cancelled or refunded orders so it's confusing. 

[DOKOcreations]

I wonder if they had placed a previous order as a guest buyer, and later associated that order with their current account? I suspect in that case the original order may remain as Guest in your order history. Have you tried searching your orders for the same ship-to address?

[TheInkyDeer]

I've already searched for the buyers name in my order history and there is no guest account. Only the one with the star comes up when searching via their email associated with their account, or their name or even their address. Even when searching my own emails for orders, so it's a bit odd.

[AutumnWeddings]

I had this yesterday. I searched by their name in all orders and it then came up. 

[ButterflyFeetDigital]

Maybe they had a change of name or something and so the account information has changed.

[TheInkyDeer]

Yes this is the only thing I can think of, but who knows!

[ThePurplePuppy]

@TheInkyDeer 

This is what I was going to say.

I did have this once and dug thru until I found the previous order by address. The person had either married or divorced as the last name had been changed.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Try searching for the buyers name in your orders. 

[Adorabilities]

If you have two open orders from the same person, both orders will show the star. 

[TheInkyDeer]

Only the one order but thank you. It's a bit confusing - I am thinking maybe they changed account details/their name or something?

[NoFrogsAllowed]

Divorce (name and location change), change of country (have to open a new shop), witsec?  Could be anything.  Also could be a glitch.

[TheInkyDeer]

You'd think they'd still be linked to the same account even if they changed their name? I've seen that before. But could possibly be somehow. Thanks - Even though it's no big deal, I've reported it to Etsy now who have stated it is a technical issue.

[ThePurplePuppy]

@NoFrogsAllowed 

LOL-I love the witsec reference. I hate having my picture taken so much I have actually had people ask if I am in witsec. Well, if I was I wouldn't tell.

[NoFrogsAllowed]

@ThePurplePuppy 

I promise I won't tell.

[ThePurplePuppy]

@NoFrogsAllowed 

LOL {{laugh emoji}}}

[SugarTaffySoap]

@TheInkyDeer  Did you try Completed Orders > typing in buyers City and State in the search box?

[BagmakerSupply]

Usually the reverse situation is what happens - a repeat customer that is not marked as repeat because they previously purchased as a guest or using a different account. This just shows that we need to maintain our own records and not rely on Etsy.

[TheInkyDeer]

I actually reported it to Etsy and they have stated it is a technical issue, so in this case not a guest account thing. I wonder if this has happened to others? Yes I imagine that happens a lot in the reverse.

[ThePurplePuppy]

@TheInkyDeer 

I hate to say this (No, i
 really don't) but I don't think Etsy would know if it is a technical glitch or not--I think that is just one of their standard answers! LOL

(I am in one of my sarcastic moods today--nothing personal)

[TheInkyDeer]

@ThePurplePuppy  Yes the customer service team like to give generic answers, but either way it's not just a guest checkout issue. I've checked my own records outside of Etsy, searched the customers name, email, address etc. and only one order pops up. Therefore, process of elimination...could be a tech issue. Alternatively it could be a mix of guest checkout AND first and last name change, and address and email - (I've searched all my orders with the same first name lol) I guess it's a lot but not impossible if the buyer had a whole new identity. Just interesting to know what Etsy report back when they have 'investigated' in case anyone else encounters this.

[ZenCatPottery]

I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago.  I thought it was strange too.

I did notice that this customer had messaged me at some point, so I thought that maybe that was the reason.  ??? @TheInkyDeer 

[TheInkyDeer]

Maybe! Although the buyer hasn't messaged me before, but that's interesting to know you've also had this happen.

[CanningCrafts · Accepted solution]

I've had this happen on a few occasions & attributed it to a glitch. I had searched prior orders for the same name, partial name, email, address & nothing came up even though there was a repeat buyer star. I do a lot of custom orders, so I always check the past orders first. Nothing showed in these instances.