Payment confirmed but order number not generated
Yeah, this happened to me once and it sorted itself out after about 72 hours. I'd echo checking spam, and also make sure you've got your bitcoin transaction ID handy when you follow up—it helps them find it faster than just the amount. Sucks to wait though, hope you get your number soon!
Yeah, that's pretty normal with some vendors honestly. I've had orders sit in "processing" for a day or two before the number showed up. I'd give it the full 72 hours like you said. Also, double-check your spam folder for any update emails — that happened to me and it turned out fine.
Honestly, 48 hours without anything is kinda concerning. I'd send a friendly follow-up with your payment hash—sometimes stuff just slips through the cracks, y'know? Also, double-check your spam folder just in case the order confirmation ended up there. Hope it gets sorted soon.
Yeah, definitely check spam. I've had that happen before and the email was just sitting in there. Also, try logging in to your account on the site and look under order history — sometimes the order number shows up there even if the email didn't go through. It might take a few minutes to sync. If nothing pops up after an hour, I'd honestly just reach out to support directly.
So I'm in the exact same boat as you right now - sent my payment a little over two days ago, vendor confirmed receipt, but I still don't have an order number or any sort of reference ID. It's honestly nerve-wracking, especially when you're dealing with crypto and there's no real buyer protection like a credit card chargeback. I've been around these forums long enough to know that this can go either way, so let me break down what I've learned about the Payment & Pricing side of things.
First off, the delay could be totally normal depending on the vendor's setup. A lot of shops use semi-manual order processing where they wait for a certain number of confirmations on the blockchain before generating an order number. If you paid with Bitcoin, for example, and set your transaction fee too low, that 48-hour mark might only give you 2-3 confirmations if the network is congested. That's why fee optimization matters so much - I always check mempool.space before sending and set my fee to at least the medium priority level. For ETH or ERC-20 tokens, gas fees are even trickier. Saving a few bucks on a low gas fee can cost you days of waiting, and some vendors won't generate an order number until they see 20+ confirmations.
If you used a direct payment method (not escrow), I'd be a bit more concerned. Many reputable vendors on here use multisig escrow that requires both parties to sign before funds release, which gives you a safety net. Without escrow, the vendor has full control. If they confirmed receiving your payment but didn't generate an order number, that's a yellow flag. Some vendors deliberately hold off on order numbers to batch orders or because they're waiting for a specific time window to auto-generate. But others might be hoping you'll wait long enough that you forget or that the crypto has moved enough in value to make it worth ghosting you.
Here's where hidden fees come into play that a lot of new people don't consider. When you're comparing vendors, don't just look at the product price. Factor in the network fee you'll pay to send crypto, plus any conversion fees if you're using an exchange. For example, some vendors charge a "processing fee" on top of the listed price if you use certain coins. And if you're converting from fiat to crypto on an exchange like Binance or Coinbase, their withdrawal fees can add 2-5% easily. I've seen vendors with lower listed prices but higher hidden fees that make them more expensive overall than a slightly pricier vendor with no extra charges and automated order number generation within minutes of payment confirmation.
As for following up - definitely do it. But be smart about how you approach it. Don't blast the vendor with messages every hour. Send a polite inquiry referencing the time you sent, the amount, and the wallet address you sent from. Ask specifically if they're waiting on more confirmations before assigning an order number. If they give a vague answer or tell you to keep waiting indefinitely, that's a red flag. Most legit vendors have a clear policy posted somewhere (FAQ, terms page) about their order processing timeline. Compare that with what's happening now. If you're past their stated window, then you have every right to be concerned.
In terms of pricing comparisons across options, this is where you realize not all "confirmation" processes are equal. Some vendors charge a premium for instant auto-generation of order numbers - sometimes 10-15% more than their standard rate. Others include it in the base price but with a 24-48 hour delay. For me personally, I'd rather pay a bit extra for the instant system than sit here refreshing my account page for two days wondering if I just threw money into a black hole. The peace of mind is worth the extra fee, especially when you're dealing with amounts that hurt to lose.
Bottom line: give it one more day if you're feeling patient, then follow up. Check your transaction on the blockchain to see how many confirmations it has. If the vendor doesn't respond or doesn't generate an order number within 72 hours total, start considering that you might need to go through dispute resolution if available, or cut your losses. These situations suck, but they're part of the learning curve in this space. Keep your coins in escrow whenever possible, and don't be afraid to ask for a refund if the vendor can't provide a solid timeline.