diff --git a/nextjs_space/app/api/store/[slug]/orders/submit/route.ts b/nextjs_space/app/api/store/[slug]/orders/submit/route.ts
index 94313582..534aa0c3 100644
--- a/nextjs_space/app/api/store/[slug]/orders/submit/route.ts
+++ b/nextjs_space/app/api/store/[slug]/orders/submit/route.ts
@@ -194,39 +194,69 @@ export const POST = withAuth(async (request, { user }, { slug }) => {
     // markets fall back to the email-link flow. Per-tenant opt-out via
     // settings.directPayments===false; global kill via DIRECT_PAY_DISABLED.
     let payUrl: string | undefined;
+    // DIRECT stores are pay-upfront: an order with no minted checkout is a
+    // FAILED checkout, not a placed order. Reported to the caller so the
+    // storefront can say so instead of showing a confirmation. Always false on
+    // email-link stores, where an unminted order is the normal, correct state.
+    let paymentStartFailed = false;
     if (directPayEnabled && orderResponse.drGreenOrderId) {
       const host = request.headers.get("host") || "";
       const origin =
         request.headers.get("origin") || (host ? `https://${host}` : "");
-      try {
-        const checkout = await createDirectCheckout({
-          drGreenOrderId: orderResponse.drGreenOrderId,
-          // Tenant hosts ({slug}.budstacks.io / custom domains) serve the store
-          // at root; the legacy "/store/<slug>" path 404s there.
-          returnUrl: storefrontUrl(
-            origin,
-            host,
-            slug,
-            `/payment/return/${orderResponse.orderId}`,
-          ),
-          apiKey: drGreenConfig.apiKey,
-          secretKey: drGreenConfig.secretKey,
-          apiUrl: drGreenConfig.apiUrl,
-          // US-008: the shopper's IP becomes PayCloud's term_ip fraud hint —
-          // without it the transaction is attributed to this server's egress.
-          customerIp: getPublicClientIp(request.headers),
-        });
-        payUrl = checkout.payUrl;
-        log('DIRECT_CHECKOUT', {
-          hasPayUrl: !!payUrl,
-          expiresAt: checkout.expiresAt,
-        });
-      } catch (e) {
-        // Never fail the order if minting fails — the order exists and remains
-        // payable via the email-link flow on admin approval (fallback).
-        log('DIRECT_CHECKOUT_FAILED', {
-          error: e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e),
-        });
+      // Retry the mint. A single backend blip must not strand a pay-upfront
+      // order: on 2026-07-29 a production task exited mid-request, the ALB
+      // returned a 502 in 87ms, and one LekkerWeed order was created with no
+      // payment ever started. Transient by nature — the replacement task was
+      // healthy ~2 minutes later.
+      const MINT_ATTEMPTS = 3;
+      for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= MINT_ATTEMPTS; attempt++) {
+        try {
+          const checkout = await createDirectCheckout({
+            drGreenOrderId: orderResponse.drGreenOrderId,
+            // Tenant hosts ({slug}.budstacks.io / custom domains) serve the
+            // store at root; the legacy "/store/<slug>" path 404s there.
+            returnUrl: storefrontUrl(
+              origin,
+              host,
+              slug,
+              `/payment/return/${orderResponse.orderId}`,
+            ),
+            apiKey: drGreenConfig.apiKey,
+            secretKey: drGreenConfig.secretKey,
+            apiUrl: drGreenConfig.apiUrl,
+            // US-008: the shopper's IP becomes PayCloud's term_ip fraud hint —
+            // without it the transaction is attributed to this server's egress.
+            customerIp: getPublicClientIp(request.headers),
+          });
+          payUrl = checkout.payUrl;
+          log("DIRECT_CHECKOUT", {
+            hasPayUrl: !!payUrl,
+            expiresAt: checkout.expiresAt,
+            attempt,
+          });
+          break;
+        } catch (e) {
+          const lastAttempt = attempt === MINT_ATTEMPTS;
+          log("DIRECT_CHECKOUT_ATTEMPT_FAILED", {
+            attempt,
+            lastAttempt,
+            error: e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e),
+          });
+          if (!lastAttempt) {
+            await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 400 * attempt));
+            continue;
+          }
+          // Out of attempts on a pay-upfront store. The Dr Green order stays:
+          // it is still payable by retrying via /orders/{id}/pay, or through
+          // the email-link flow on admin approval. But the customer must NOT
+          // be told the order is placed. The abandoned-order sweep releases
+          // its stock if nobody ever pays.
+          paymentStartFailed = true;
+          log("DIRECT_CHECKOUT_FAILED", {
+            error: e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e),
+            attempts: MINT_ATTEMPTS,
+          });
+        }
       }
     }
 
@@ -255,8 +285,10 @@ export const POST = withAuth(async (request, { user }, { slug }) => {
       },
     });
 
-    log('SUCCESS');
-    return NextResponse.json({ order: { ...orderResponse, payUrl } });
+    log(paymentStartFailed ? 'ORDER_CREATED_PAYMENT_NOT_STARTED' : 'SUCCESS');
+    return NextResponse.json({
+      order: { ...orderResponse, payUrl, paymentStartFailed },
+    });
   } catch (error) {
     const msg = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
     log('UNHANDLED_ERROR', { message: msg });
diff --git a/nextjs_space/app/store/[slug]/checkout/page.tsx b/nextjs_space/app/store/[slug]/checkout/page.tsx
index 7870fe8d..dd4a12df 100644
--- a/nextjs_space/app/store/[slug]/checkout/page.tsx
+++ b/nextjs_space/app/store/[slug]/checkout/page.tsx
@@ -31,6 +31,47 @@ export default function CheckoutPage({ params }: { params: { slug: string } }) {
   const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [orderResult, setOrderResult] = useState<OrderResult | null>(null);
+  // Set when a pay-upfront order was created but its checkout could not be
+  // minted. Drives the retry below, which re-mints against the EXISTING order
+  // rather than creating a second one.
+  const [pendingPaymentOrderId, setPendingPaymentOrderId] = useState<
+    string | null
+  >(null);
+  const [isRetryingPayment, setIsRetryingPayment] = useState(false);
+
+  const retryPayment = async () => {
+    if (!pendingPaymentOrderId) return;
+    setIsRetryingPayment(true);
+    setError(null);
+    try {
+      const res = await fetch(
+        `/api/store/${params.slug}/orders/${pendingPaymentOrderId}/pay`,
+        { method: "POST" },
+      );
+      const data = await res.json();
+      if (!res.ok) throw new Error(data.error || "Could not start payment");
+      if (data.payUrl) {
+        window.location.href = data.payUrl;
+        return;
+      }
+      if (data.paid) {
+        // Already settled (e.g. the first mint actually succeeded upstream).
+        setPendingPaymentOrderId(null);
+        setError(null);
+        clearCart();
+        return;
+      }
+      throw new Error("Could not start payment");
+    } catch (e) {
+      setError(
+        e instanceof Error
+          ? `${e.message}. Nothing has been charged.`
+          : "Could not start payment. Nothing has been charged.",
+      );
+    } finally {
+      setIsRetryingPayment(false);
+    }
+  };
 
   // Saved address state
   const [savedAddress, setSavedAddress] = useState<ShippingAddress | null>(null);
@@ -144,6 +185,19 @@ export default function CheckoutPage({ params }: { params: { slug: string } }) {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Pay-upfront store where the checkout could not be minted. The order
+      // exists but NOTHING has been paid, so the confirmation screen below
+      // would tell the customer they had ordered — and clearCart() would take
+      // their basket with it. That is exactly what happened on LekkerWeed on
+      // 2026-07-29. Keep the cart, say what happened, offer the retry.
+      if (data.order?.paymentStartFailed) {
+        setPendingPaymentOrderId(data.order.orderId ?? null);
+        setError(
+          "We couldn't start the payment for your order. Nothing has been charged — please try again.",
+        );
+        return;
+      }
+
       setOrderResult(data.order);
       clearCart();
     } catch (err) {
@@ -640,9 +694,26 @@ export default function CheckoutPage({ params }: { params: { slug: string } }) {
                   )}
 
                   {error && (
-                    <div className="flex items-start gap-2 bg-red-50 border border-red-200 text-red-700 px-4 py-3 rounded-lg text-sm">
-                      <AlertCircle className="w-4 h-4 flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5" />
-                      <span>{error}</span>
+                    <div className="flex flex-col gap-3 bg-red-50 border border-red-200 text-red-700 px-4 py-3 rounded-lg text-sm">
+                      <div className="flex items-start gap-2">
+                        <AlertCircle className="w-4 h-4 flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5" />
+                        <span>{error}</span>
+                      </div>
+                      {pendingPaymentOrderId && (
+                        <Button
+                          type="button"
+                          onClick={retryPayment}
+                          disabled={isRetryingPayment}
+                          className="w-full h-11 text-sm font-semibold text-white"
+                          style={{
+                            backgroundColor: "hsl(var(--tenant-color-primary))",
+                          }}
+                        >
+                          {isRetryingPayment
+                            ? "Starting payment…"
+                            : "Retry payment"}
+                        </Button>
+                      )}
                     </div>
                   )}
 
diff --git a/nextjs_space/tests/unit/direct-pay-no-phantom-order.test.ts b/nextjs_space/tests/unit/direct-pay-no-phantom-order.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a0e1c3db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nextjs_space/tests/unit/direct-pay-no-phantom-order.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+/**
+ * A pay-upfront (DIRECT) order whose checkout could not be minted is a FAILED
+ * checkout, not a placed order.
+ *
+ * 2026-07-29, LekkerWeed: a production backend task exited mid-request, the ALB
+ * returned a 502 in 87ms, and the mint threw. The catch swallowed it, execution
+ * continued to log('SUCCESS'), and the storefront — seeing no payUrl — showed
+ * the order-confirmation screen AND called clearCart(). The customer was told
+ * her order was placed, lost her basket, and no payment was ever taken. Dr Green
+ * order ccdeea34 sat PENDING with stock committed.
+ *
+ * These tests pin the two halves of the contract:
+ *   - transient mint failures are retried rather than stranding the order
+ *   - an unminted DIRECT order reports paymentStartFailed so the storefront can
+ *     tell the truth. On email-link stores the same shape is normal and the
+ *     flag must stay false.
+ */
+
+// Mirrors the retry/report logic in
+// app/api/store/[slug]/orders/submit/route.ts so the behaviour is pinned
+// without standing up the full Next route (DB, Clerk, tenant resolution).
+async function mintWithRetry(
+  mint: () => Promise<{ payUrl: string }>,
+  directPayEnabled: boolean,
+  sleep: (ms: number) => Promise<void> = async () => {},
+): Promise<{ payUrl?: string; paymentStartFailed: boolean; attempts: number }> {
+  let payUrl: string | undefined;
+  let paymentStartFailed = false;
+  let attempts = 0;
+  if (directPayEnabled) {
+    const MINT_ATTEMPTS = 3;
+    for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= MINT_ATTEMPTS; attempt++) {
+      attempts = attempt;
+      try {
+        payUrl = (await mint()).payUrl;
+        break;
+      } catch {
+        if (attempt !== MINT_ATTEMPTS) {
+          await sleep(400 * attempt);
+          continue;
+        }
+        paymentStartFailed = true;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return { payUrl, paymentStartFailed, attempts };
+}
+
+describe("direct-pay checkout — never report a placed order without payment", () => {
+  it("retries a transient mint failure and succeeds (the 502 case)", async () => {
+    const mint = vi
+      .fn()
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("502 Bad Gateway"))
+      .mockResolvedValue({ payUrl: "https://pay/abc" });
+
+    const r = await mintWithRetry(mint, true);
+
+    expect(r.payUrl).toBe("https://pay/abc");
+    expect(r.paymentStartFailed).toBe(false);
+    expect(r.attempts).toBe(2);
+  });
+
+  it("gives up after 3 attempts and flags paymentStartFailed", async () => {
+    const mint = vi.fn().mockRejectedValue(new Error("502 Bad Gateway"));
+
+    const r = await mintWithRetry(mint, true);
+
+    expect(r.payUrl).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(r.paymentStartFailed).toBe(true);
+    expect(mint).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3);
+  });
+
+  it("does NOT flag email-link stores — an unminted order is correct there", async () => {
+    const mint = vi.fn();
+
+    const r = await mintWithRetry(mint, false);
+
+    expect(mint).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(r.payUrl).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(r.paymentStartFailed).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("a successful first attempt does not retry", async () => {
+    const mint = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ payUrl: "https://pay/xyz" });
+
+    const r = await mintWithRetry(mint, true);
+
+    expect(r.attempts).toBe(1);
+    expect(r.paymentStartFailed).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("storefront response handling", () => {
+  // Mirrors app/store/[slug]/checkout/page.tsx.
+  const decide = (order: { payUrl?: string; paymentStartFailed?: boolean }) => {
+    if (order.payUrl) return "redirect-to-pay";
+    if (order.paymentStartFailed) return "show-error-keep-cart";
+    return "show-confirmation-clear-cart";
+  };
+
+  it("redirects to payment when minted", () => {
+    expect(decide({ payUrl: "https://pay/abc" })).toBe("redirect-to-pay");
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the cart and shows an error when payment could not start", () => {
+    // Previously: 'show-confirmation-clear-cart' — the LekkerWeed bug.
+    expect(decide({ paymentStartFailed: true })).toBe("show-error-keep-cart");
+  });
+
+  it("still confirms an email-link order, which has no payUrl by design", () => {
+    expect(decide({ paymentStartFailed: false })).toBe(
+      "show-confirmation-clear-cart",
+    );
+  });
+});