Scheduled listing posting live prior to start date?

Hi there:

Let me begin by saying I know absolutely nothing about computer programming.

I contracted with a graphic designer (in San Diego) in March 2010 to build my e-commerce site and she used Zen Cart v1.3.8, which she upgraded to v1.3.9a in April 2010. My admin states that I am currently running v1.3.9h with Database Patch Level 1.3.9a.

In the last month I have had a different graphic designer and programmer (in Tucson) add some new content to my site, but I am told no changes were made to any admin features. The original designer and the new designer/programmer are the only others besides myself who have had access to the back end of my site since its inception.

Here's the weird part: in the last two weeks, I've noticed product listings that are not scheduled to post until tomorrow have been appearing as available stock; they are even able to be put in a shopping cart (though they also show in the "expected items" list). I have used the scheduling feature many times in the past and have never experienced this problem.

I have also noticed "fake" customers (exactly as described by others in separate forum threads) popping up in my customer list in the same time period. But since this flaw was addressed with the v1.3.9 upgrade, I thought I would have been protected by the patch.

Have you ever experienced this phenomenon before? If so, do you know of a way to fix it so customers don't see listings until I make them live?

Thank you in advance for any help,
-Claudine

In regards to your fake customer accounts that are popping up you can resolve that by installing a CAPTCHA mod on the new_account page.

As for the future products popping up in the store. I would check your file structure in admin and your store front files and look at the date modified column. That will help you determine what has recently been changed. Once you know what files have been recenlty modified you can look at maybe replacing those files with default files or post the names of them here.

I knew nothing about computer programming either when I started - With the help of my server and this forum I have been perking along quite nicely on my own -

May I suggest that you get more hands on with your site because your designer does not appear to be up on things.

When installing the upgrade you have to go back and update your database too - this needs to be done if it has not been already - it is not that tough to do.