Need someone to be able to enter an automation multiple times, but if they're already in it, end the original progress and only keep the newest entry

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1

Hi there - we have a client facing a very niche issue.

They have a WooCommerce integration with an abandoned cart automation. It includes a series of 3 follow-up emails.

The issue is that if someone updates their cart over the course of the 5 days those emails run, the client wants the emails to reflect that. It seems like the cart details are “locked in” when a person starts the automation.

Initially, I created two copies of the abandoned cart automation as well as a separate “feed” automation that put them in one of two and removed them if they were already in the other - essentially bouncing them back and forth so that their newest cart abandonment always showed.

However, we realized that’s not going to work because I got this error message when the block wasn’t showing in the emails:

“Abandoned cart block is disabled. This block requires an “Abandoned Cart” start trigger within an automation”

Of course, that trigger was in the separate “feed” automation, but I think it’s saying it has to be in the same automation that sends the emails.

As far as I’m aware, there’s no “Exit this automation but also stay in this automation” setting.

If you have any ideas on how to address this, I’m all ears - thank you very much!

2

This is a complex WooCommerce integration challenge! You’re right that the abandoned cart data gets “locked in” when the automation starts, and the cart block requires the trigger to be in the same automation.

I see your reason for wanting the feeder automation so they can bounce to the most recent abandoned cart but my first step would be building all in one automation.

You can:

  • Use the abandoned cart trigger in your main automation
  • Add conditions before each email: “Has abandoned cart in last X hours”
  • If they’ve updated their cart recently, it creates a new abandonment event
  • Use goals/win conditions to end the sequence if they purchase

You also could try using the API/Webhook. For that:

  • Use WooCommerce webhooks to detect cart updates
  • Trigger a new automation when cart is updated
  • End the previous automation sequence using automation actions
  • More technical but gives you real-time cart data

I’m curious how other users set this type of sequence up!

3

Thanks very much for your help Alanna! I’m seeing the “Has abandoned cart” yes/no condition, but I can’t seem to find where to add a timespan to that?

4

Hi Michael!

In the condition settings, you should see timespan options:

“In the last X days/hours” - Set how recent the abandonment should be
“Between X and Y days ago” - Create a specific window (like between 1-7 days ago)

Hope that helps!