# How to change the amount of time a Cowlendar locks a booking while in cart? (aka cart lock time)

### Impact of Locking Cart Duration on Double Booking and Slot Availability

When you set a longer cart lock duration, you significantly reduce the chances of double bookings for the same time slot. This happens because the slot is marked as unavailable to others while it's locked in a customer's cart. 

**However, it's essential to understand the trade-off:**

* **A** longer lock duration means that a slot could remain reserved for someone who ultimately decides not to complete their purchase. 
  * In this case, the slot was unnecessarily locked, potentially preventing another customer from booking it.
* On the other hand, reducing the lock duration increases the chances of double booking since the slot becomes available more quickly if the first customer doesn’t finalize their purchase. 
  * Due to shopify holding carts for 10 days there is a chance that two customers end up booking the same slot before the system can update availability. Read more about this bloe

{% content-ref url="/pages/BpLeEEgoBrfHqKqXS6XB" %}
[I keep getting double bookings even with a limit set!](/cowlendar-help/i-keep-getting-double-bookings-even-with-a-limit-set.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**Finding the right balance for the lock cart duration is crucial**. It ensures fewer double bookings while minimizing the risk of missed opportunities due to unused locked slots.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Please understand this **will not completely prevent the issue with double bookings** due to Shopify cart lock system which last 10 days.
{% endhint %}

### Steps to adjust cart lock time

1. In your Shopify admin dashboard look at the left hand panel and click on **Apps.**
2. Click on **Cowlendar.**
3. Click click on **My Service.**
4. Click **Edit** on the service you want to change.

<figure><img src="/files/69ZDtNuEypr7awEDFVOp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Click into the **advanced tab**
6. Scroll down and adjust the cart lock setting

<figure><img src="/files/xaLg4graSaGRq9pi6RSp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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