وش تسوي لو جاك طلب وهمي في متجرك الإلكتروني

Sahl Sunday,06 Jul 2025

If you work in e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, you've probably encountered instances of fake orders.
That means you receive a seemingly normal order, prepare it, and send it, only to have the customer suddenly disappear or refuse to accept it, leaving you with the loss!
This isn't uncommon; on the contrary, many Saudi merchants suffer from it, especially those who sell with cash on delivery.
In this blog, we'll give you a clear step-by-step plan to deal with fake orders and protect your store from losses without affecting the experience of serious customers.
1. First things first: How do you know if an order is fake?
Not every canceled order is fake, but there are signs you should watch for:
• The customer's name contains symbols or strange spelling.
• The mobile number is incorrect or duplicated multiple times.
• The address is incomplete or clearly not real.
• The customer places multiple orders within a very short period of time.
If you notice one or more of these things, it's best to stop processing the order and begin the confirmation process.
2. Activate the "Order Confirmation" feature before shipping.
The best way to avoid fake orders is to call the customer or send them a message asking for order confirmation within a short period.
Some stores provide confirmation via SMS with a simple link, or even a quick voice call.
If confirmation isn't received, you can cancel the order without any obligation.
3. Reduce your reliance on cash on delivery.
Cash on delivery is the largest source of fake orders.
If you enable electronic payment methods such as Mada, Apple Pay, STC Pay, or even partial advance payment, you'll significantly reduce the number of non-serious orders, and you'll be dealing with customers who actually intend to buy.
4. Track and Record Unusual Orders.
Don't ignore if you receive multiple orders with the same information. Record each case in a simple file that includes:
• Order number.
• Customer information.
• Notes about the order.
Over time, you'll develop a "blacklist" of suspicious customers or addresses, which you can use to filter out future orders.
5. Clarify your store's cancellation and return policy.
Having a clear and strict policy reduces random orders.
For example: "If the order is not confirmed within two hours, it will be automatically canceled," or "A 10 riyal processing fee must be paid if it is not received."
This type of message gives the impression that the store is organized and professional and prevents reckless behavior.
6. Contact the shipping company regarding canceled orders.
Shipping companies within Saudi Arabia, such as SMSA, Aramex, Zajil, and others, have systems that you can use to collaborate with stores.
For example, enable the option to contact the customer before receiving the shipment, or cancel the order if they do not answer the call.
Each company has its own mechanism; try to negotiate a plan with them that reduces your losses.
7. Use order analytics tools on your store platform.
If you use platforms like Zid or Salla, you can activate reports to help you monitor:
• Repeat customers.
• Cancelled orders.
• Problematic orders.
If you use a custom store, ask the developer to add an alert system for any order that shows abnormal indicators.
8. Train your team to handle these situations.
Your customer service team must know how to handle suspicious orders professionally:
• They call promptly.
• They ask for confirmation.
• They record all details.
Professional behavior reduces your losses and preserves your store's reputation with serious customers.
Fake orders are a real problem facing most online stores in Saudi Arabia, but that doesn't mean they're unsolvable.
On the contrary, with smart planning and implementing simple steps like confirmation, data monitoring, and providing electronic payment methods, you can reduce these orders and protect your store from losses.
Don't wait for losses to accumulate; start today by reviewing your ordering system and adjusting your store's policies to be stronger in the face of challenges.