GRO online orders

[shazs]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if I can check what I've ordered online at the GRO?
I feel a right twerp- I've ordered 3 certificates, received one had one partly refunded because it didn't match reference and I'm still waiting for one. The only trouble is I can't remember what I ordered! I know I paid for 3.
My computer has  crashed since the order and I've lost all my emails, so I haven't got any confirmation etc.

Many thanks,
Sharon

[silvery]

If you go to whoever provided your email address, shouldn't your emails still be all there?

[shazs]

No, I'm with Virgin and if you open your email on your computer it all empties out of the Virgin server.

[Nick29]

I don't think you have much hope with the GRO, even if you do have a reference.  Not so long ago, I made a goof, and I thought that one of the certificates that I'd ordered hadn't arrived, so I phoned the GRO to chase it up, not realising that I already had it.   It was obvious that the person at the other end had no way of checking the progress of the order, and all they did was to advise me to phone back if they hadn't turned up in the next 5 days.  Your best bet is to always print the order confirmation page - I know it's easy to be wise after the event ! 

[Aulus]

I maintain a spreadsheet of certificates on order

Name
Surname
Spouse Name
Spouse Surname
Type (B/M/D)
Year
Quarter
Vol
Page
Date Ordered
Date received
Notes (things like "might be this one or might be xxx, 8a, 123"; "should be the wife of xxx", and after receiving them "not mine"; etc.)

I find it less wasteful than printing out the confirmation page and I can also instantly check that I've not already ordered the same certificate (which has been known ...)

The downside is you see how many lines are in the spreadsheet and hence you can all too quickly see how much money you've spent on certificates!

Now I'm in the habit of never ordering a certificate without adding it to the spreadsheet, it's working very well for me.

[shazs]

The spreadsheet is a good idea- I've learnt my lesson now!

I don't know why but I seemed to think it was the same as when you order anything else online- you have an account where you can check your orders. Oh well we live and learn.

I've found an application number on the cover sheet that came with the certificate I have received it says #/2 so I'm hoping the one I'm missing is just the same application number #/1 or #/3 as I ordered 3 together. I'll give it a go anyway, I've sent off an enquiry via email.

Thanks for all your help,

Sharon

[Nick29]

It's not unusual for one of several certificates ordered at the same time to be held up.  It has happened to me a few times.  I have no idea why.

[kerryb]

Hi Nick

I think it has something to do with the way that our orders are dealt with, it was once explained here on rootschat.  From memory our order is not taken and searched for as a whole but as different parts depending on volumes that need to be searched.  I think anyway!

Spreadsheets are invaluable and sorted me out from ordering a certificate I already had, just didn't bother to look in my file and find it 

Kerry

[suey]

First time ever, I ordered 6 certs and they all turned up on the same day,   

Kerry's right you're order gets split up, hence half a dozen certs all in different envelopes plus postage, no wonder they cost what they do .