Understanding the 'Pending' Status for Cancelled, Voided, or Refunded Transactions in Valpay
When managing transactions in Valpay, you may encounter a 'pending' status associated with certain transactions, particularly those that have been cancelled, voided, or refunded. This article explains what the 'pending' status means and how it relates to transaction and deposit records.
Overview of Refunds and Voids
In Valpay, transactions can be cancelled, voided, or refunded depending on their status in the payment process. These actions affect how the transaction is recorded and displayed in the system:
Cancelled/Voided Transactions: These transactions do not generate a deposit, and their status is updated to "Refunded/Reversed," which is equivalent to "Cancelled/Voided." However, the associated deposit ID may still appear as 'pending' because it reflects the deposit record, not the transaction itself.
Refunded Transactions: If an authorization has already been processed as a sale and is later voided, it effectively becomes a refund. The system may temporarily display the transaction as an authorization until it refreshes, but on the back end, the refund has already been settled.
Explanation of the 'Pending' Status
The 'pending' label in Valpay refers specifically to the deposit record rather than the transaction itself. This distinction is important:
For cancelled or voided transactions, the 'pending' status indicates that the deposit record is awaiting further processing or confirmation.
The transaction status, on the other hand, is updated to reflect its final state (e.g., "Refunded/Reversed").
System Behavior During Updates
Valpay's system undergoes regular updates to refresh transaction and deposit records. During these updates:
Transactions that have been voided or refunded may temporarily appear as 'pending' in the portal.
After the next daily update, the portal refreshes to display the updated deposit ID, which includes the refund for the transaction.
Common Scenarios and Resolutions
Here are some common scenarios involving the 'pending' status and how to interpret them:
Scenario 1: A transaction you voided still shows as 'pending' with the option to void. - Explanation: This occurs because the authorization was processed as a sale before being voided, effectively making it a refund. The 'pending' status applies to the deposit record, not the transaction itself. The system will update to reflect the refund after the next refresh.
Scenario 2: A cancelled transaction appears in the 'pending' list. - Explanation: The 'pending' label applies to the deposit record, which does not affect the transaction's final status of "Refunded/Reversed."
Conclusion
The 'pending' status in Valpay is a system label that applies to deposit records rather than transactions. Understanding this distinction can help you interpret transaction statuses accurately and avoid confusion. If you have further questions about specific transactions, consider reaching out to Valpay support for assistance.