Order Processing Error Messages

Occasionally, an order will go into a status known as 'ORDERUPDATE RECORD LOCK.' This status occurs when there is a time-out in the connection between AbeBooks and our credit card processing service.

This status does not mean the credit card has been rejected - the order has not been lost and it has not been cancelled. It is simply temporarily unavailable and you will be automatically notified by email as soon as it is again available for processing, usually within 24 hours.

This Status column will display 'Error' or 'Locked' and you will also see one of the following error messages:

• ORDERUPDATE RECORD LOCK
• A Network or Similar Error has occurred.
• We are unable to display the updated order status at this time.

In all of these cases, you will also be instructed to wait and try again later.

When this error occurs, there is no need to contact Customer Support. You will be automatically notified by email as soon as the order is available for processing.

Since the only impact to the buyer is a slight delay in the processing of their order, unnoticable in most cases, the buyer is not notified when this error occurs.

Important Policy Notes:

When this error occurs, the order is still valid and has not been cancelled. All AbeBooks Policies and Completion Requirements apply to these orders.

Specifically:

• Processing the order outside of the AbeBooks system is considered redirection and is a violation of AbeBooks Bookseller Policy.
• Rejecting the order, or refunding it after the transaction has completed, will impact your Completion Rating, as per the policies here. AbeBooks Customer Support will not exclude such orders from your Completion Rating on your behalf.
• If you process the order after it has been released from its error status and the buyer's credit card is then rejected, the order will be cancelled, the book will automatically be relisted for sale, and the order will not impact completion.