order number jumps

[JonathanB]

usually each order increments 1 by 1 but we quite often experience order numbers jumping by large numbers (even using actinic inbuilt incryption)

e.g. order 1 ended in 3342 but order 2 ended in 3355.

Why is this?
Are we losing customers?
And if so, at what point in the purchasing procedure can we improve to prevent it?

[I-CC]

The jump in numbers is generally when they add items to the cart and then back out of the final purchase phases, thus they were assigned an order number but did not get far enough in to generate the details.

If you are using the Java Applet, then it might be an idea to move onto the Actinic Shared SSL service instead of the Applet, as although it is not a major problem, but anyone who does not have the Java VM loaded into their PC will not be able to order through your site unless they conduct a very large download and install of the Java VM.

Not saying that this is going to reduce jumps, but it is one less reason for it, but nearly every site will get some backouts just anyhows, no matter what they do for their sites.

Actinic Shared SSL details:- http://www.4surehosting.co.uk/hostin...ared_ssl.shtml

[Mike Hughes]

I think we've been through this before but I'm pretty sure that an order number is only generated once an order progresses to the payment stage by which stage all the order details should have been captured and be available.

There have been reports of this kind of thing happening and Chris has asked for volunteers to let actinic investigate without any being forthcoming.

Bottom line: it shouldn't be happening and if it does then helping actinic to investigate would be a good idea.

Mike