Void Transaction

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Void transactions are a kind of payment when a customer’s request is canceled by the seller before it is processed to the customer's credit or debit card account.


What is a void transaction?

A void transaction meaning is like canceling a purchase or a refund that has not yet been settled. If transactions have already been settled then you may perform a refund on them.

Voids are the elements of any process which is connected with a card and voids are possible for the owner of that card if the transaction wasn’t settled yet.

By voiding the transaction, the seller's bank won't pay the transaction, and the buyer's bank won't charge or debit the amount from the account for it.

When a transaction becomes void, that does not appear on the customer’s account statement. It usually appears as a pending transaction when the buyer checks their accounts.

For example, Suppose you purchase a T-shirt for $70 from a store via a credit card. When you purchase the T-shirt Instead of typing $70 in a device, the salesperson accidentally typed $80 and swiped your credit card.

salesperson accidentally typed $80 and swiped your credit card, which is a void transaction

If done right away, the salesperson can void the transaction, essentially removing it from sales made that day but If the void transaction won't fully process then they fall off the customer's account statement.

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What is the difference between void and cancel?

The simple difference between void and cancel transaction is:

The void is in regards to the amount on the order invoice - to void the authorization, for example - so that the amount isn't subsequently captured. Money has to be refunded after capture and cannot be voided.

Basically, the cancellation process is when the order can no longer be modified. While an order amount might be voided a new invoice can always be created. Cancellation of an order restricted any future change from being made to it.

How void transaction process works?

Void transaction process on Shopify

During a transaction create any error or the consumer wants to cancel the transaction before it has been processed further, the seller can void the transaction.

The transaction process is might easy but when a buyer makes a payment via credit card, their amount doesn’t instantly move from their account to the seller's account. It takes some time to verify things.

First, the buyer's account must be verified to ensure it is valid and that it has sufficient amounts available to make the payment or transaction.

After verified, the amount to pay will be deducted from the buyer's available balance, but won’t be immediately transferred to the seller's account. So here is one question rise if anyone wants to void the transaction then it's possible to reverse it?

Can void transactions be reversed?

Yes, the amounts are held until the seller settles their transactions at the end of the day. During this time, before the amounts have been transferred, both the buyer and the seller would still be able to void transactions and prevent them from processing any further.

After a seller will settle out their sells the end of the business day, and then it’s only this takes place that the amount can be transferred from the buyer's account to the seller's account.

When a buyer requests a refund on the day of purchase of the item, before the settlement of the accounts, then the transaction will be voided rather than refunded.

If they request a refund after settlement has been done, then it will be an actual refund and the process of transferring the amount from the seller account to the buyer account will have already been initiated.

Key points

  • You can cancel a transaction before it settles into the buyer's account.
  • If the transaction has been settled, then the seller won't have the option (for void).
  • Void transactions and refunds are different from each other.
  • The void transaction shows pending transactions in buyers' accounts for some days.
  • Incorrect or Mistaken charges and fraud purchases are the most likely to be voided.

Frequently asked questions

Related terms