> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Handle duplicate or merged customer records
> Fix duplicate customers by migrating to an additional contact, restoring deleted records, or deleting mistakes safely.
## What you will accomplish
You will clean up customer records when the same person appears twice, a record was created by mistake, or you need to bring back a deleted customer.
Getting this right protects billing history, cars, and portal access.
## Before you start
* Search [All Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts/all) by email and phone to confirm you have duplicates—not just similar names.
* Decide which record should stay (**keep**) and which should go (**remove**).
* Check cars, invoices, and documents on both records before deleting anything.
**When in doubt, ask a manager**
Deleting or migrating customers can move billing and subscriptions. If money is involved, get a second pair of eyes before you continue.
## Choose the right fix
| Situation | Best action |
| - | - |
| Same person, two customer records—one should be a spouse or assistant on the other account | **Migrate to additional contact** |
| Record created by mistake with no important history | **Delete customer** |
| Customer was deleted but should be active again | **Restore** (from deleted filter) |
| Wrong car on a customer | Unassign or reassign the car—see [Link cars and documents](/docs/contacts/link-cars-and-documents) |
| Customer paused storage but history should stay | Mark **Inactive** in CRM Information (steps below) |
## Migrate a duplicate to an additional contact
Use this when the "extra" customer is really the same household or the same person who should live under another account (for example a spouse who got their own record by accident).
On [All Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts/all), open the customer you want to **remove** as a standalone record.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and find the **Danger Zone** section.
*Danger Zone holds serious actions at the bottom of the customer page. Read each description before you click.*
**Why this matters:** These actions cannot be undone with a simple undo button. Take a moment to confirm you opened the correct person.
Click **Migrate to contact**. A window opens asking you to choose the **target** customer—the account that should keep the history.
*The migration window asks you to pick the main customer account. Billing and subscriptions can move to that target record.*
**Expected result:** You search for and select the customer who should remain the main account (for example the spouse who already has the cars linked).
Follow the prompts to complete the migration. Billing, subscriptions, and payment methods can move to the target account.
**Expected result:** The duplicate standalone record is gone. The person appears under **Contacts** on the target customer's page. Refresh [All Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts/all) to confirm the extra row disappeared.
**Why migrate instead of delete**
**Migrate** keeps payment history and subscriptions intact. **Delete** is for records that should disappear entirely.
## Mark a customer inactive
When someone pauses storage but you want to keep their history—and they are **not** a duplicate:
On the customer detail page, scroll to **CRM Information** → **Current Stage**.
Use the **Active / Inactive** switch next to the stage area.
*Inactive customers stay in the system but are hidden from default Active lists.*
**Expected result:** The switch shows **Inactive**. On [All Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts/all), open **Filters & settings** → **Status** and choose **Inactive** to find them again.
See [Edit customer details](/docs/contacts/edit-customer-details) for more on CRM fields.
**Inactive is not the same as delete**
**Inactive** hides a customer from day-to-day lists but keeps their cars, billing history, and documents. **Delete** is for records that should be removed from normal use entirely.
## Delete a mistaken record
Check **Cars**, **Documents**, open invoices, and portal access. Move anything needed to the correct customer first.
**Why this matters:** Deleting does not automatically move cars to another person—you must reassign them first.
On the mistaken record, scroll to **Danger Zone** at the bottom of the page.
Click **Delete Customer** and read the confirmation message carefully. Confirm when you are sure.
**Expected result:** The customer disappears from normal lists. They are not permanently erased immediately—your team can still restore when policy allows.
## Restore a deleted customer
On [All Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts/all), open **Filters & settings** and set **Status** to **Deleted**.
*Choose Deleted under Status to find customers your team removed but may still restore.*
**Expected result:** The list shows only customers who were deleted. Find the person you need to bring back.
Click the deleted customer's name to open their detail page.
**Expected result:** The page may look similar to a normal record, with a **Restore** option available.
Use the **Restore Customer** action on the page and confirm in the window that appears.
Read the confirmation message before you click **Restore**. You are bringing the record back to normal active lists—not creating a brand-new customer.
**Expected result:** The customer returns to normal lists with their history. Change **Filters & settings** → **Status** back to **Active** to see them on the default list again.
**Restore does not undo a migration**
**Restore** brings back a **deleted** customer. It does not reverse **Migrate to contact**—that person now lives under another account's **Contacts** section. If you migrated by mistake, open the target customer and review **Contacts** and billing there.
## Prevent duplicates next time
* **Search first** before **Create New Customer**—see [Find and filter contacts](/docs/contacts/find-and-filter-contacts).
* Use [Import customers, cars, events, and photos](/docs/contacts/import-customers-and-cars) with care; review the preview step for duplicate emails.
* Train staff to check email and phone, not just first name.
* When a spouse or assistant calls, add them under **Contacts** on the main account instead of creating a second customer record.
## Troubleshooting
**Migrate button is disabled or fails**
You may lack permission, or the target customer may not be valid. Ask an admin. Do not delete both records without a plan for cars and invoices.
**Customer still appears twice after migrate**
Refresh **All Contacts**. Open the target customer and check **Contacts** for the migrated person. The old standalone row should be gone.
**I deleted the wrong customer**
Open **Filters & settings** → **Status** → **Deleted**, find the record, and use **Restore Customer** as soon as possible. If restore is no longer available, contact your manager immediately.
## What to do next
* Link remaining cars correctly: [Link cars and documents to a customer](/docs/contacts/link-cars-and-documents)
* Resend portal access if needed: [Invite a customer to the portal](/docs/contacts/invite-a-customer-to-the-portal)
* Verify billing after a merge: [Manage billing on a customer record](/docs/contacts/manage-billing-on-a-customer-record)
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