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My company (among other things) routes print-on-demand orders to various print companies. Some of their APIs have mechanisms to ensure idempotency, some don't.

My company (among other things) routes print-on-demand orders to various print companies. Some of their APIs have mechanisms to ensure idempotency, some don't. The last time I pressed the issue, I was asked - and I quote - "Can't you just send the order only once?" The thing is, having a print company that gets the printing part right is more important than having one that gets the API right. I use them anyway, and accept the risk that there will very occasionally be duplicate orders. At least in my business, it's just tshirts. A few months ago I bought a fairly expensive cordless vacuum from hoover.com. I was charged once, but two of them arrived. I suspect I know why.

deleted 4y ago
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thaumasiotes 4y ago
> The last time I pressed the issue, I was asked - and I quote - "Can't you just send the order only once?" What did they suggest you should do if you sent the order once and it didn't arrive?
jwr 4y ago
I have these sorts of facepalmable discussions from time to time. The last time was with a company that provides an invoicing service through an API. They are (and I am not shitting you) unable to ensure unique invoice numbers and told me to "just don't try to open and issue more than one invoice at any time".
liftm 4y ago
I suspect they also don't have an API to check the orders you sent?
- stickfigure 4y ago
  That would make it too easy! Most just offer get-by-id (their ID, of course). Some don't even offer that; they just post a webhook on shipment.
belter 4y ago
Next time you fly, ask the person processing the check in how frequently the following happens: Somebody arrives with a ticket reservation confirmed, money charged to credit card, but no actual Eticket at Sabre can be found that will allow them to fly. It's something I have been tracking over the years, rare but happens. Again some non transactional, non idempotent integrations setup out there...

deleted 4y ago

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thaumasiotes 4y ago

> The last time I pressed the issue, I was asked - and I quote - "Can't you just send the order only once?" What did they suggest you should do if you sent the order once and it didn't arrive?

jwr 4y ago

I have these sorts of facepalmable discussions from time to time. The last time was with a company that provides an invoicing service through an API. They are (and I am not shitting you) unable to ensure unique invoice numbers and told me to "just don't try to open and issue more than one invoice at any time".

liftm 4y ago

I suspect they also don't have an API to check the orders you sent?

stickfigure 4y ago
That would make it too easy! Most just offer get-by-id (their ID, of course). Some don't even offer that; they just post a webhook on shipment.

belter 4y ago

Next time you fly, ask the person processing the check in how frequently the following happens: Somebody arrives with a ticket reservation confirmed, money charged to credit card, but no actual Eticket at Sabre can be found that will allow them to fly. It's something I have been tracking over the years, rare but happens. Again some non transactional, non idempotent integrations setup out there...