Tickets held while the buyer pays, never oversold
When a buyer places an order, the tickets are taken from the session at once. They are kept for the buyer while they pay, 10 minutes to start with. Two buyers can never both get the last ticket, and unpaid tickets go back on sale by themselves.
PLANSEvery plan
The problem it solves
- Two people pay for the last seat, and one of them is turned away at the door.
- A buyer leaves the payment page open for an hour and the seats are stuck.
- The counter and the website sell from two counts that do not agree.
How it works
- The buyer clicks Continue to payment. The tickets, seats and add-ons are counted against the session at once.
- They are kept for the buyer for Hold while Paying, 10 minutes to start with. The page shows a clock with the time left.
- Paid in time: the tickets are issued. Cancel this order or the time running out lets them go, and nothing is charged.
- The online sale, the counter and the app all count from the same session, so the total never passes the capacity.
- A payment that arrives late gets tickets only if they are still free; otherwise the money is to be paid back.
Everything it does
What is held
- The tickets of the order, against the session's capacity and each type's limit
- Numbered seats picked on the map, and add-ons with a limit
- A promo code's use, while the order is held
- On the SmartMy cloud, SmartMy's fee on the order, against your ticket balance
Never oversold
- Each order locks its session while it counts, so a second buyer at the same moment waits and then sees the first order
- Online orders, counter sales, complimentary tickets and passes all count from the same figures
- Cancelled and refunded tickets go back on sale
When the hold ends
- Hold while Paying: per event, from the Entity's Tickets Held while Paying (10 minutes)
- A lapsed hold stops counting at once; a job marks the order Expired every 5 minutes
- A payment the gateway is still confirming keeps the order waiting up to 30 minutes more
- Free orders and counter sales are confirmed at once and are never held
For the office
- Events > Orders filters: Waiting for Payment, Expired or Cancelled, Paid after the Hold
- Cancel Order on a waiting order lets its tickets go
- Back to Draft is refused while an order is held
Who uses it
BuyerPays within the time shown, or cancels the order.
Event managerSets the hold time and cancels orders that wait for payment.
Counter sellerSells from the same count; a counter sale is confirmed at once.
Where you use it
- The order page: the clock, Cancel this order and Order again
- Web: Events > Orders and the Sales Rules tab of the event (Hold while Paying)
- The SmartMy Events app: the order shows the time left to pay. A waiting order is offered again on My Tickets (built and in testing, not in the app stores yet)
What you control
Settings
- Tickets Held while Paying (Entity): 10 minutes
- Hold while Paying (event): taken from the Entity when the event is made
Questions
How long are tickets kept for a buyer?
For Hold while Paying, 10 minutes to start with. You can change it per event or for the whole Entity.Can two people get the last ticket?
No. Each order counts with the session locked, so the second buyer is told the session is sold out.What if the payment comes after the time ran out?
If the tickets are still free, they are issued. If not, no ticket is issued and the payment is to be paid back.Do held tickets show as sold?
They count as taken while the hold lasts. The Figures tab shows held tickets apart from sold ones.Related features
SELLINGOnline payment through your own gatewayBuyers pay through the payment provider of your own Entity, and your gateway settles the money to your account. Only a confirmed payment issues tickets, with a receipt and an accounting entry.SELLINGSeveral sessions for one event, each with its own capacityA fest over three days or a play with two shows is one event with several sessions. Each session has its own date, capacity and gate time, and every ticket belongs to one session.FANS AND SEATINGSeat maps where buyers choose their seatsBuild the seat map of your hall once, with sections, rows, aisles and special seats. On each event, decide how each section is sold, and buyers pick their own seats on the map or take the best available.SELLINGCounter sales at the venue and the day's closingSell tickets at the venue or the school office, by cash, UPI or card, from the same count as the website. At the end of the day each seller declares what they took, any difference is explained, and a manager confirms.FANS AND SEATINGWaiting list when sold outWhen a session or ticket type sells out, buyers can ask to be told when tickets are free. As tickets come back, the people waiting are told in turn, each with a link and a time to buy.
See your next event on it.
Tell us what you are running, how many people come and how you sell today. We will set up the event with you on SmartMy Events.