How to handle an order rush at cutoff
Short answer
Handle a cutoff rush with a batch cap and live sold-out. When last-minute orders surge, a capacity limit ensures you never take more than you can cook: buyers see a live "X left" count, and the drop auto-closes when full — even if two people order the last plate at once, only one succeeds. Set the cap to your real capacity, and the rush sells you out cleanly instead of burying your kitchen in orders you can't fulfil on time.
Cap to your real capacity
Decide the most you can cook and hand off for the window, and set that as the cap. Orders stop there automatically.
Live counts manage expectations
A visible remaining count tells buyers to order now and warns them as you fill, so no one is disappointed after a sold-out.
No double-selling the last plate
Capacity is enforced atomically — simultaneous orders for the final plate can't both go through. Exactly one wins; the rest see sold out.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop overselling during a last-minute rush?
Set a batch cap equal to your real capacity. When paid orders reach it, the drop auto-marks sold out and stops taking orders, and a live 'X left' count warns buyers as you fill. A surge then sells you out cleanly instead of leaving you with orders you can't cook in time.
What happens if two people order the last plate at once?
Only one succeeds. PlateTicket enforces capacity atomically, so simultaneous orders for the final plate can't both go through — exactly one order is accepted and the other sees sold out. You'll never end up committed to more than your cap.
Orders in. Plates out.
Open your first drop in minutes, get paid up front, and cook exactly what sold.
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