What Are Auto-Order Credits and How Do They Work?
Automate orders, fulfillment, and tracking with Auto-Order Credits — and keep your business running smoothly.
Introduction
Auto-Order Credits power your store’s automation — helping you scale faster and avoid interruptions in your dropshipping workflow.
They enable AutoDS to perform key actions automatically, such as placing orders, managing fulfillment, and converting tracking numbers. This way, you can focus on growing your business instead of handling repetitive tasks.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
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What Auto-Order Credits are and how they fuel automation across your store
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How to automate the entire order cycle, from purchase to delivery
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How to manage your credits effectively to reduce errors and maintain a smooth workflow
Benefits
Auto-Order Credits are essential for automating your orders with AutoDS. Think of them as your internal currency for automation on the platform.
Each credit works like a token, enabling a specific automated action — helping you simplify operations and reduce manual work.
Here’s how they benefit your daily workflow:
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Access to AutoDS automation services: Use credits for Auto Order, Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA), tracking conversions (BCE, QTrack), and sourcing requests.
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Uninterrupted automation: Ensure your orders are processed automatically, even when you’re offline.
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Time-saving and error reduction: Automating repetitive tasks helps you focus on growing your business while minimizing mistakes.
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Cost-efficiency: Thanks to volume-based pricing, the more credits you buy, the lower the cost per action, making automation more affordable as you scale.
Quick Jump
Prerequisites
Before using or purchasing Auto-Order Credits, make sure to enable the Orders Processor Add-On in your AutoDS account ($9.90/mo). Without it, credits cannot be used for automated orders, fulfillment, or tracking.
What Auto-Order Credits cover
Credits are consumed when AutoDS performs specific actions for you:
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Auto Orders: When AutoDS places an order automatically using your connected buy account.
👉 Learn more: How to connect a buy account for automation -
Fulfilled by AutoDS: When AutoDS manages the entire fulfillment process, including placing the order and updating the tracking number.
👉 Learn more: Full guide on Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) -
Tracking conversions: When converting tracking numbers to formats like BlueCare Express (BCE), QTrack, or Tracking Generator.
👉 Learn more: Tracking number conversion options -
Sourcing requests: When AutoDS submits a sourcing request for a product.
👉 Learn more: AutoDS Product Sourcing Service
Credit calculation examples
The table below shows common combinations of order types and tracking methods, along with the total Auto-Order Credits consumed:
Order Type | Tracking Conversion | Total AO Credits |
---|---|---|
FBA / Auto Order | No tracking conversion needed | 1 |
FBA / Auto Order | BCE | 1.33 |
FBA / Auto Order | QTrack | 2.5 |
FBA / Auto Order | Tracking Generator | 2 |
Manual Order | BCE | 0.33 |
Manual Order | QTrack | 0.5 |
Manual Order | Tracking Generator | 1 |
How to Purchase Auto-Order Credits
- Go to your Orders page
In your AutoDS account, go to the Orders tab and locate your current Auto-Order Credit balance. - Click “Buy Credits” and select a package
Click the Buy Credits button next to your balance. A pop-up will appear showing all available packages. Choose the one that fits your needs.
Package Price per credit Total price 20 credits $0.50 $9.90 100 credits $0.40 $39.90 250 credits $0.32 $79 500 credits $0.26 $129 1000 credits $0.22 $219 2500 credits $0.20 $499 💡 The more credits you buy, the cheaper each individual credit becomes. This helps reduce your automation cost as your business grows.
- Complete your payment
Choose your payment method (PayPal, Payoneer, or Credit Card), and follow the on-screen steps to confirm your purchase.
If you have a coupon, click "I have a coupon", enter your code, and validate.
NOTE: Every new AutoDS account receives 5 free Auto-Order Credits!
This allows you to experience the automation firsthand before making a purchase.
Possible issues & workarounds
Issue |
Possible cause |
Workaround |
The order fails with "Insufficient Auto-orders credits, please purchase more credits and resend the order." |
The most frequent cause is insufficient Auto-Order Credits to complete the desired actions in your account balance. |
Go to your Orders page and verify your Auto-Order Credit balance. Then resend the order to the automation process. You can do it in your Orders page by changing the status to Send to Auto-order for the automation starts. |
Credits seem to be used faster than expected. |
Each service action consumes credits individually. For example, 1 Auto Order + Tracking Generator conversion = 2 Auto-Order Credits. |
Review your order volume and types of services used. Consider purchasing a bigger package if you often run multiple automations per order. |
An error message appears when I attempt to purchase more Auto-Order Credits |
If you’re using your credit card to pay for them, it might be declined. |
Make sure you have enough limit on your credit card and try to purchase more AO credits using another payment method. Start a conversation with the Suppor Team by clicking in the conversation icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen. 👉 Learn more: How to Contact an AutoDS Support Agent |
I intended to buy Auto-Order Credits, but mistakenly purchased AI Rewrite Credits or AutoDS Finder Credits. |
Auto-Order Credits are different than AI Rewrite Credits and AutoDS Finder Credits: Auto-Order Credits (AO Credits) are for automating actual order processes and fulfillment. AI Rewrite Credits are for enhancing and optimizing your product listing text using AI. AutoDS Finder Credits are used to discover trending products with high sales potential through the AutoDS Finder feature. |
Start a conversation with the Suppor Team by clicking in the conversation icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen. 👉 Learn more: How to Contact an AutoDS Support Agent |
👉 Learn more - How to troubleshoot Auto-Order failures and find workarounds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are Auto-Order Credits valid for all my stores or just one?
A: Auto-order credits are shared across your entire AutoDS account and are not limited to a specific store. If your account is active, you can use them for any connected store.
Q: Can I transfer unused credits to the next month?
A: No need to! Auto-Order Credits do not expire and can be used at any time as long as your account remains active.
Q: Do Auto-Order Credits expire?
A: No, they stay available in your account while it’s active.
👉 Learn more: AutoDS Terms and Conditions
Q: Do I need credits if I fulfill orders manually?
A: No, Auto-Order Credits are only required when you use AutoDS to automatically fulfill orders, for sourcing requests, and to convert your tracking numbers.
👉 Learn more: How to deal with your orders manually
Q: Can I see a history of credit usage?
A: At the moment, there is no detailed usage log for Auto-Order Credits.
Q: Where can I see how many credits I have?
A: To check your Auto-Order Credit balance, go to the Orders Page. You’ll see your current credit amount displayed next to the Buy Credits button.
Q: I purchased credits, but my FBA order failed due to 'insufficient funds'. Why?
A: Auto-Order Credits are separate from your Managed Balance. You need both:
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Auto-Order Credits for automation, tracking, or sourcing
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Sufficient Managed Balance to actually pay for the products and shipping
👉 Learn more:
Q: What’s the difference between Auto-Order Credits, AI Rewrite Credits, Finder Credits, and Managed Balance?
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Auto-Order Credits (AO Credits) are for automating actual order processes, tracking conversions, and sourcing requests.
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AI Rewrite Credits are used to enhance and optimize product listing text using AI.
👉 Learn more: AI Rewrite -
AutoDS Finder Credits are used to discover trending products with high sales potential.
👉 Learn more: How to Find Profitable Dropshipping Products Using the AutoDS Finder Dropshipping Tool -
Managed Balance is used to pay for products and shipping when using Fulfilled by AutoDS.
👉 Learn more: How to Load Balance to Your 'Fulfilled by AutoDS' Account?
Q: I bought credits by mistake. Can I get a refund?
A: Auto-Order Credits are non-refundable.
👉 Learn more: AutoDS Terms and Conditions
Q: My FBA order was returned, and my balance was refunded. Will I also get the Auto-Order Credits back?
A: No. Credits are not refunded for canceled or returned orders, because they were already used to process the automation.
👉 Learn more: AutoDS Terms and Conditions