New Customer versus Existing Customer

[BumpaRoy]

I have noticed when placing an order for a service, there is a radio button for "I am a New Customer or I am an Existing Customer". What do these mean and how are they affected?

 

I also notice that a user can sign themselves up at the login time. I would expect this to be a New Customer, but it shows up as an Existing Customer.

 

Can I turn off the feature that allows Clients to add themselves on the fly at the Log in screen?

 

If I allow them to create themselves on the fly, can I restrict this "New Client" from areas like the knowledge base or placing orders, say only allow them to create a ticket??

 

Is there a process to "Approve" them and make them a "regular" user?

 

All the documentation seems to center around manually creating the client before hand. Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

[brian!]

I have noticed when placing an order for a service, there is a radio button for "I am a New Customer or I am an Existing Customer". What do these mean and how are they affected?

that's really just a way for existing customers to login using their existing account - otherwise, every time anyone purchases a service from you, they would need to sign up for a new account... that's not good for them or you.

 

I also notice that a user can sign themselves up at the login time. I would expect this to be a New Customer, but it shows up as an Existing Customer.

 

Can I turn off the feature that allows Clients to add themselves on the fly at the Log in screen?

 

If I allow them to create themselves on the fly, can I restrict this "New Client" from areas like the knowledge base or placing orders, say only allow them to create a ticket??

 

Is there a process to "Approve" them and make them a "regular" user?

 

All the documentation seems to center around manually creating the client before hand. Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

I think what you need to do is log into the admin area and go to general settings -> other -> untick the box marked "Allow Client Registration".

 

this will prevent anyone from signing up with you *unless* they are purchasing a product or service from you.