Postcode lookup
Customers type their postcode into the booking form and pick their address from a list. The address field is filled in for them, which means fewer typos on delivery addresses.
How it works
When a listing collects a postal address, a postcode search box appears above the address field. The customer types their postcode, picks their address from the results, and the field is filled in. An edit button lets them adjust the address afterwards.
The same search appears on the admin attendee forms, so staff taking a booking over the phone can fill an address the same way. Browsers without JavaScript see a plain address box, which keeps working as normal.
Accurate addresses matter most when something is being delivered. The address a customer picks is the one that appears on the deliveries run sheet, with a map link for the driver.
Lookup providers
Address data comes from a lookup provider. The first supported provider is EasyPostcodes, and the provider system is built so that further providers can be added. Choosing "none" turns the feature off, and no search box is shown.
You add your own provider API key in the settings. The key is stored on the server and never sent to the browser: the booking page calls your Chobble Tickets site, which talks to the provider.
Caching and limits
Lookup providers charge per request, so results are cached. A repeat search for the same postcode is served from the cache instead of spending another paid request, and cached entries expire after a set number of days so stale data is not served.
Cached results are stored encrypted, like the rest of your data, and looked up through a blind index rather than by scanning. The public endpoint is rate limited per IP address, so a bot cannot drain your provider account.